On Saturday night, UFC 216 had the unfortunate position of being the first big event to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada since last Sunday’s horrific mass shooting.
For the UFC, which calls Vegas it’s home, it was a position taken seriously.
Giving around 1,500 tickets to first responders who dealt with the consequences of last week, the promotion also brought some of those injured in the attack to the show. To truly give focus to the moment, as well as the magnitude of the shooting, the pay-per-view began with a video message from UFC president Dana White.
In that message, he condemned the attack, commended the Las Vegas community for rallying around those who were affected, before stating emphatically that “we will be stronger together.”
Watch UFC 216’s emotional open in the video below.
We love you, Las Vegas. We are #VegasStrong pic.twitter.com/hSdajtQxJk
— UFC (@ufc) October 8, 2017
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