UFC CEO Dana White has revealed that the promotion once considered staging a major event at Rome’s iconic Colosseum, but the idea was abandoned after officials reportedly quoted a staggering $150 million price tag. White said the figure was presented during discussions surrounding the proposed Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk fight, with the money intended to support the restoration of historic sites across Italy.
Despite the venue’s legendary history and global appeal, White was unwilling to commit such a huge sum for the event. With the Zuckerberg-Musk fight ultimately falling apart, the Colosseum plans went with it. White has now made it clear that the UFC would need someone prepared to cover the reported $150 million cost before fights could ever take place inside the ancient Roman landmark.
After UFC White House Event, Is Dana White Planning a Colosseum Fight in Rome?
Dana White has revealed that the UFC once seriously considered staging a fight inside Rome’s iconic Colosseum, with the idea emerging during discussions over the proposed 2023 showdown between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. White said he spent around two weeks working on the potential matchup, but the venue reportedly demanded $150 million to host the event, with the money set to support the restoration of historic sites across Italy.
The huge cost ultimately made the plan unrealistic, while the much-hyped Musk-Zuckerberg fight also failed to materialise. However, White has not completely closed the door on a UFC event at the ancient venue. He said a billionaire or wealthy backer willing to cover the enormous expense could still make the spectacle possible, although he described it as “impossible” under normal circumstances.
Dana White Reveals What It Would Take to Bring UFC to Rome’s Colosseum
The possibility comes after the UFC’s recent push into unconventional venues, including UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, which reportedly cost around $60 million to stage. White’s comments suggest the promotion remains interested in creating major one-off spectacles, but a Colosseum event would require a financial commitment far beyond the UFC’s usual spending.
White summed up the situation by saying, “The Colosseum would take Zuckerberg fighting Musk for it to happen because those two were gonna put up the money.” He also left the door open to other wealthy backers, adding, “Anybody to put up the money for the UFC to fight in the Colosseum, I’m in.”
