WWE has entered into a partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that will see the NXT Battleground event take place at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas on June 9.
It marks the first time that a WWE event will be hosted at the 130,000 square foot centre and production facility. It is also home to UFC Fight Night events and Dana White’s Contender Series.
“We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class production facility in partnership with UFC,” said WWE senior vice-president of talent development creative Shawn Michaels.
Last year, the UFC’s parent company Endeavor and the WWE announced the closing of a merger between the two to create TKO Holdings.
NXT Battleground was originally scheduled for May 26 at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, George but was relocated to the UFC home of Las Vegas. The initial date was during Memorial Day weekend in the US and running against rival promotion AEW’s Double or Nothing event.
The UFC Apex typically hosts smaller crowds of fewer than 500 people. It is unknown how many tickets will be made available for NXT Battleground but the UFC has lodged a zoning application indicating plans to add the ability to welcome up to 1,000 people at the APEX.
NXT Battleground is set to feature some of the biggest NXT superstars including champions Ilja Dragunov, Roxanne Perez, North American champion Oba Femi, and tag team champions Axiom and Nathan Frazier.
Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, Lyra Valkyria and more are also set to compete.
WWE has stated that a limited number of NXT Battleground priority passes will “soon be available” through exclusive partner On Location. This will offer fans ringside seats, including premium options, all-inclusive pre-show hospitality with WWE athletes and ringside photo opportunities.
