UFC 205 draws 20,427 fans in New York City debut, smashes gate record with $17.7 million

NEW YORK – Saturday’s UFC 205 event drew an announced attendance of 20,427 and a live gate of $17.7, which shattered the UFC’s previous live gate record and set a new venue record for Madison Square Garden.

UFC officials announced the tallies at following the event.

UFC 205 took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and the main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The UFC’s previous gate record was set at UFC 129 in April 2011 with more than $12 million at Rogers Centre in Toronto. UFC 200 in July at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas did $10.7 million.

In Saturday’s main event, featherweight champion Conor McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts at the same time when he dethroned lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez. McGregor now holds four of the UFC’s top six gates of all time, including Saturday night’s record.

UFC 205 marked the UFC’s long-awaited return to New York state, which recently lifted a ban on MMA. Prior to the ban, the organization hosted one event in the state: UFC 7 in 1995. The event took place at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and drew an announced attendance of 9,000.

After UFC 205, the organization has a couple upcoming returns to the state: UFC Fight Night 102 on Dec. 9 in Albany, and UFC 209 on Feb. 11 in Brooklyn.

For more on UFC 205, check out the UFC Events section of the site.