UFC Fight Night 128: Barboza vs. Lee marked the mixed martial arts juggernaut’s first trip to Atlantic City, N.J. in nearly four years. The last time the Octagon was featured in the seaside city was July of 2014 when Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone knocked Jim Miller out in the main event.
Barboza vs. Lee doubled up on Cerrone vs. Miller, drawing an attendance of 9,541 and producing a gate of $923,720. Cerrone vs. Miller drew 4,115 fans to Revel Casino Hotel, while Barboza vs. Lee was held at the historic Boardwalk Hall.
The last time the fight promotion drew larger numbers than UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City was nearly 13 years ago.
UFC 53 also took place at Boardwalk Hall on June 4, 2005, pulling in an estimated crowd of 12,000, producing a $1.1 million gate. UFC 53 featured interim heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski defeating Justin Eilers in the main event, as well as Rich Franklin taking the middleweight championship from Evan Tanner.
On Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 128, Kevin Lee tried to regain his footing in the lightweight title picture by dominating Edson Barboza, while Frankie Edgar righted his ship in the featherweight division by taking a unanimous decision over Cub Swanson in their co-main event rematch.
