The UFC makes its long-awaited Big Apple debut Saturday at Madison Square Garden, giving the packed house an up-close look at the sport’s blood, sweat and broken noses.
The event, dubbed UFC 205, shattered the arena’s record for top-grossing sporting event with over $17 million in ticket sales, UFC spokesman David Lockett told The Post.
The 1999 boxing match between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield held the previous record of just under $11 million.
“[It’s] finally here!” cheered Matt Pierce, 47, of Hell’s Kitchen. “I’m glad it’s at Madison Square Garden, especially if you live in Manhattan. Before . . . you always had to fly [away] for them. This is my back yard, so I’m trying to take advantage of coming here.”
The event is also making UFC history — edging out the 2011 record-breaking UFC 129 that took place in Toronto, which raked in $12,075,000 and saw a whopping 55,000 fans in attendance.
State lawmakers and Gov. Cuomo agreed in April to end the state’s two-decade ban on professional mixed martial arts — saying the sport would ultimately boost the economy.
Their decision went into effect in September, sparking praise from local fans.
“New York was an untapped market,” said Tyler Staten, general manager at gym UFC Soho.
“With all the excitement around 205, we’ve even seen an increase of traffic here and the club’s going to get even better. It’s expected that UFC Gym, the brand, will probably grow even more in the area.”
New Yorkers looking to score tickets on the secondary market will have to pay a pretty penny: Average ticket prices were more than $2,000 as of 3 p.m. Friday, with floor seats being listed for as much as $22,800, according to TicketIQ.
It’s the “hottest tickets in New York City this year,” and the most expensive to be sold for an event at MSG this decade, TicketIQ data specialist Tim Dolan said.
“From our data, the Rangers’ two Stanley Cup Finals games averaged over $2,100 — and there hasn’t been a sporting event held in NYC since that’s come close to that number until UFC 205,” Dolan said.
“One other point of comparison could be the Mets’ 2015 World Series run, which averaged a $1,600 ticket over all three home games at Citi Field.”
Big Apple watering holes are taking full advantage of the historic night — with cover charges for the privilege of watching the $59.99 pay-per-view fight.
Hurley’s Saloon on West 48th Street is among a slew of gin joints charging a $20 cover to view the fight — headlined by a lightweight title match between champion Eddie Alvarez and featherweight champ Conor McGregor.
“Our bar is a wraparound, so it gets packed but you’re never squashed,” assured a manager. “It’s always fun here.”
The event will feature UFC stars such as Rashad Evans, Miesha Tate, Frankie Edgar and Long Island native Chris Weidman — but it was McGregor whom most fans said they were pumped to see live.
“He is probably one of our most celebrated sports [personalities] at the moment, and so the fact that he can come here to Madison Square Garden and fight and win, hopefully, is amazing,” said Louise O’Farrell, a 31-year-old accountant who traveled from Dublin, Ireland — McGregor’s hometown.
“The entire experience, coming to New York City, for this, for the whole night, is a dream come true.
“I hope to see him kick ass.”
Additional reporting by Carl Campanile and Natalie Musumeci