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A general view of the Octagon prior to the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Record-Breaking UFC 243 Netted More Than $120 Million In Overall Economic Output

UFC, The World's Premiere Mixed Martial Arts Organization, Releases The Findings Of An Economic Impact Study From UFC 243: Whittaker vs Adesanya In Melbourne.
Nov. 7, 2019

In October 2019, UFC returned to Melbourne to put on one of the most anticipated middleweight title fights in recent memory as Sydney’s Robert Whittaker and New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya locked horns in Marvel Stadium. 

In the end, it was Adesanya’s night as “The Last Stylebender” knocked Whittaker out in the second round to unify the 185-pound title in an unforgettable effort, which included a choreographed dance in his walkout. 

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria punches Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Israel Adesanya of Nigeria punches Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

The event broke UFC’s all-time attendance record with 57,127. It also drew an international crowd to Victoria, generating substantial economic activity for the state. 

Direct spending attributed to the event reached more than $33 million, and 922 total jobs earned $57.6 million Australian dollars in salaries and wages. 

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to fight Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to fight Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 243 event at Marvel Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC 243 spotlit the lively city that is Melbourne as more than 94 percent of attendees said they visited Victoria specifically for the event with more than 85 percent saying they were likely to attend a future fight night in Melbourne. 

UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (L) and former NBA player Paul Pierce (R) interact during a media opportunity ahead of UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium on October 1, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (L) and former NBA player Paul Pierce (R) interact during a media opportunity ahead of UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium on October 1, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

By the numbers – Economic Impact of UFC 243: Whittaker vs Adesanya

  • $121.2M AUD Economic Output ($82.7M USD)
  • $57.6M AUD Salaries & Wages (39.3M USD)
  • 922 Jobs
  • $281.8M AUD in Media Value ($192.4 USD)