The UFC Failed Once in Salt Lake City; Dana White Not Keen on Another Attempt

UFC president Dane White had once planned an event for Salt Lake City. Poor ticket sales nixed the show, and now he’s hesitant to attempt a return.

“Nope,” he said recently when asked by a fan about any future plans to make another attempt to promote a show in Salt Lake City.

“I tried to do it once, man. I’m sold. That was it for me. I’m never trying that again.”

The event was UFC on Versus 2, which was slated for Aug. 1, 2010… a Sunday.

Utah, however, is heavily a Mormon state, and many people still follow the religious tenants of Sundays being a holy day. Regardless of whether that was the reason or not, tickets did not sell well for the event, leading White to pull the plug on Salt Lake City and move the event to San Diego.

“Our television ratings in Salt Lake City have always been strong, and when we finally found the opportunity to bring a UFC event there with a great card. I was very surprised and disappointed in ticket sales. As a result, for the first time in UFC history, I decided to pull the plug and move this August 1st event to the San Diego Sports Arena,” White stated at the time.

He seemed to soften on his stance, if ever so slightly, when the fan asking about Salt Lake City pointed out that many people there observe the Sabbath, but he looked far from chomping at the bit to make a return attempt.