Why does Noche UFC have Mexican octagon girls? Here's Dana White's honest take on the matter
Noche UFC 306 is poised to dazzle the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, commemorating Mexican Independence Day weekend this Saturday. With Riyadh Season as the event's title sponsor, this highly anticipated pay-per-view is set to deliver a spectacle of grandeur, possibly marking one of the most extravagant live sporting events in history.
The fight card is headlined by two title bouts, with the rest loaded with fighters of Mexican descent. In the main event, UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley will defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili. In the co-main event, UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso aims to settle her feud with Valentina Shevchenko in their third meeting.
Why does Noche UFC have Mexican octagon girls?
Noche UFC 306 marks the second annual tribute to those of Mexican lineage and stands as one of Dana White's most ambitious undertakings yet. Backed by more than $20 million in investment, the UFC CEO has spared no expense in crafting what he boldly proclaims will be the "greatest" combat sports event of all time.
The upcoming PPV will showcase a wide array of exclusive event-specific elements, with one of the standout highlights being the octagon girls. During a recent interview with Johnny Resendiz, White disclosed that the event will exclusively feature all-Mexican octagon girls and highlighted this as one of the many tributes to honor the Mexican community:
"This show, this love letter to Mexico, I call it, is authentic—authentic to the people, their heritage. I mean, even the octagon girls; there are nine octagon girls, and they’re all first-generation Mexican, from Mexico."
Check out Dana White's comments below (2:23):
Although White initially stated there would be nine octagon girls, all first-generation Mexicans, ESPN MMA has since revealed that Noche UFC 306 will feature eight new octagon girls. Of these, six are native-born Mexicans, while the remaining two are second-generation.
These octagon girls are set to sport custom-designed outfits and makeup, perfectly synchronized with the cinematic themes presented throughout the fight card.
UFC octagon girls bring Mexican heritage to life at Noche UFC 306
Octagon girls were dressed in vibrant, Mexican-inspired garments designed for a boho-themed ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration, featuring traditional patterns and elements reminiscent of the 2017 American animated fantasy comedy-drama film ‘Coco’.
Some octagon girls were embodying the essence of the Sacred Heart with stunning costumes, featuring a black net gown and intricate Day of the Dead face makeup. They completed the look with a dramatic headdress and floral ensemble.
The Mayan civilization was also represented through the octagon girls, who were dressed in traditional Mexican attire. Their ensemble featured a traje that combined a huipil with a corte and a woven wraparound skirt reaching the knees. The outfit was secured with a faja or sash at the waist, and they complemented their looks with sandals.
Dana White announces $25,000 reward for spotting "Easter eggs" in Noche UFC 306 broadcast
During the post-event press conference for the 'Contender Series', Dana White shared insights into the production of Noche UFC 306. He revealed that the UFC will premiere a series of short films highlighting the contributions of Mexicans to combat sports, along with 10 distinct "worlds" that will be displayed on-screen during the fights.
White disclosed that the broadcast would be filled with hidden Easter eggs and announced a $25,000 prize for one sharp-eyed fan who manages to spot them all:
"There are also going to be Easter eggs in each one of these films. We’re working it out with legal right now, but what I want to do is if somebody can find all the Easter eggs, I’ll give you $25,000."
Check out Dana White's comments below (4:06):