'MEANT TO BE'
How Tom Brady played unknown role in Dana White’s $2.3billion UFC decision as MMA organisation set for huge Sphere show
The UFC have shelled out millions of dollars thanks to the former New England Patriot
NFL legend Tom Brady played a huge role in the UFC's historic Sphere show in Las Vegas this weekend.
Mixed martial arts' premier promotion will create yet more history on Saturday night by hosting the first sporting event, UFC 306, in Sin City's new futuristic venue.
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The Sphere, which cost a whopping $2.3BILLION (£2B) to build, officially opened its doors last September, with rock legends U2 lighting the blue touch paper with an ongoing residency.
White was dragged along to one of the Irish band's shows by his good friend Brady and was blown away by the stunning LED visuals.
And the rest, as they say, is all history
Recalling his decision to pursue a Sphere show, the 55-year-old told : "I went to the Sphere with Tom Brady,
"He invited me to come to U2 with him.
"Had Brady not invited me, I wouldn't even have been to the Sphere yet. It's almost like this was meant to be.”
Putting on what White has promised will be the "greatest sporting event of all time" has cost the UFC brass an arm and a leg.
The Vegas-based fight league has dropped a staggering $20MILLION ($15.2m) putting together the visuals for the show.
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White said late last month: "This is an expensive show.
"And we have to move in there because they have other things going on.
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"And when we go in there and rehearse, we’re in there like from 1 in the morning till 7 in the morning, rehearsing.
" So, this is a beast, and I’m way more focused on all that stuff than all this other MGM s**t, or what they’re doing, or who’s fighting that night.
"That is what it is, you know. And we’ll figure all this s*** out after this event.”
Casual and hardcore fight fans alike have already had their minds blown by the preliminary visuals for the UFC's Noche event, which White has promised will be a "love letter to Mexico".
But the veteran promoter insists the spectacular venue will NEVER host another UFC event.
He said: "No matter how it plays out, this was supposed to happen.
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“It's a one-and-done. I'm under contract with [MGM] and I'll be back with [them] after this event."
UFC 306 is headlined by an eagerly-anticipated men's bantamweight title fight between champion Sean O'Malley and surging Georgian contender Merab Dvalishvili.
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