Overview

• Local TV outlet 7 News Australia reported discounted seats and projected the RAC Arena could be about half full, with independent checks showing entry prices near $110.
• The UFC confirmed Oban Elliott was removed due to illness less than 48 hours before the event, canceling his bout with Jonathan Micallef and trimming the lineup to about 13 fights.
• The original co-main event between Junior Tafa and Ibo Aslan was scrapped earlier in fight week after Tafa was injured, with Jimmy Crute vs. Ivan Erslan elevated as the replacement co-feature.
• UFC executive Dave Shaw publicly rejected the narrative of poor demand and said the promotion is taking a long-run approach to the Australian market.
• Headliners Carlos Ulberg and Dominick Reyes said they were unfazed by the sales chatter and pointed to factors like AFL finals, as their light heavyweight clash proceeds Saturday on ESPN+ with potential title implications tied to UFC 320 next week.