{"id":412809,"date":"2026-01-14T17:56:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T17:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/412809\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T17:56:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T17:56:09","slug":"mma-fans-roast-dana-white-after-ufc-ceo-announces-new-name-for-ufc-apex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/412809\/","title":{"rendered":"MMA fans roast Dana White after UFC CEO announces new name for UFC APEX"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"4u\">Though less impactful than the promotion\u2019s new partnership with Paramount, UFC CEO Dana White has revealed that the UFC APEX is undergoing a slight name change in 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"4x\">A lengthy hiatus for the world\u2019s leading MMA organization is rapidly coming to a close, as only one Saturday remains before the promotion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/easiest-way-to-stream-live-archived-ufc-events-on-paramount-in-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">makes its debut on Paramount<\/a> on January 24 with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/arman-tsarukyan-points-finger-at-ufc-justin-gaethje-vs-paddy-pimblett\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a UFC 324 card featuring two title bouts<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"50\">White went live on Instagram yesterday with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-ceo-dana-white-drops-huge-ufc-seattle-main-event-featuring-israel-adesanya\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a pair of fight announcements for UFC Seattle<\/a>, and today the UFC CEO return to Instagram to make an announcement about the promotion\u2019s personal event space in Las Vegas. <\/p>\n<p>Dana White Announces New Meta APEX<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"56\">The UFC already has a longstanding partnership with Meta, and White revealed the UFC APEX will now be known as the \u201cMeta APEX\u201d for at least the next five years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5d\">\u201cWhat\u2019s up everybody, happy 2026. So, as we go into the new year, the home of the Contender Series, the home of some Fight Nights, the home of Zuffa Boxing, UFC BJJ, will now be called the Meta APEX. We\u2019ve done a five-year deal with Meta, so welcome to the new Meta APEX.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5g\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-legend-khabib-nurmagomedov-support-xabi-alonso-shocking-real-madrid-exit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC legend shares message of support for Xabi Alonso after shocking Real Madrid exit<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5j\">The UFC first began using the UFC APEX to host events during COVID-19, as the facility allowed the promotion to holds closed-doors fights and handle whatever security and health protocols were necessary to appease the Nevada State Athletic Commission. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01keyns9k62nzb2xehj5.jpg\" alt=\"Francis Ngannou reacts after his victory over Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 260.\" title=\"Francis Ngannou reacts after his victory over Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 260.\" width=\"3902\" height=\"2601\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"5s\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Francis Ngannou reacts after his victory over Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX. | Handout Photo-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5w\">As we\u2019ve moved further away from the pandemic, more and more fans have started to express frustration with the number of APEX shows on the calendar and the fact that they lack the same atmosphere as UFC cards that take place in arenas with live crowds<\/p>\n<p>Fans React To Dana White&#8217;s Meta APEX Announcement<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"62\">Not counting Dana White\u2019s Contender Series, the UFC held a total of 12 Fight Night events at the UFC APEX facility in 2025 and already has three on the calendar for the first quarter of 2026. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"65\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/chti-vera-end-losing-streak-dangerous-ufc-mexico-fight-david-martinez\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC fan favorite set to try and end losing streak in dangerous UFC Mexico fight<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"68\">A number of active UFC fighters commented on White\u2019s post apparently celebrating the news about the APEX\u2019s rebranding, but plenty of fans also dropped comments and seemed decidedly less impressed. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keyn8m66jaxbpyvahn.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6h\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keyn931qqhbxj65dmx.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6r\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keyn9nbwz3w481m0zj.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"71\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keyncbnf471kzmzge5.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7b\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keynctefyzen0tpqem.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7l\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keynd5nww22we352dx.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7v\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keyndnpv6mxxcmr4d8.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"85\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keynf0241tvz9qs78b.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8f\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8j\">READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-fans-cry-mismatch-next-fight-undefeated-ko-machine-austen-lane-iwo-baraniewski\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC fans cry mismatch on reported next fight for undefeated KO machine<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keynfk4w3ck0mxnaaw.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8s\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_0,h_0\/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/voltaxMediaLibrary\/mmsport\/mma_knockout\/01keynfyzhzsw0c7fbr4.jpg\" alt=\"(Instagram)\" title=\"(Instagram)\" width=\"0\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"92\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Instagram)<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"96\">The first UFC event in the newly-named Meta APEX will take place on February 7 with a card <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/incredible-main-event-bautista-oliveira-first-ufc-fight-night-paramount\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">headlined by Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira<\/a>, but before that the UFC\u2019s Paramount era will kick off later this month with back-to-back numbered events in UFC 324 and UFC 325. <\/p>\n<p>More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9c\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/alex-pereira-kickboxing-rival-fights-undefeated-finishing-machine-ufc-seattle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Alex Pereira\u2019s ex-kickboxing rival fights undefeated finishing machine at UFC Seattle<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9f\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/paddy-pimblett-heated-response-dan-hooker-ufc-outrageous-comment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Paddy Pimblett gets heated response from fellow UFC star after outrageous comment<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9i\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/21-year-old-ufc-phenom-break-into-rankings-ufc-326-fight-font-rosas-jr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">21-year-old UFC phenom could break into rankings after agreeing to UFC 326 fight<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9l\">\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/30-fight-mma-yaroslav-amosov-next-ufc-bout-than-a-month-stellar-debut\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">30-fight MMA veteran teases next UFC bout less than a month after stellar debut<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-32\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9o\">Stick with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9r\">Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MMAKnockoutSI\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UFCKnockout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mmaknockoutsi\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Though less impactful than the promotion\u2019s new partnership with Paramount, UFC CEO Dana White has revealed that the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":412810,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,785,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-412809","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mma","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-fighting","11":"tag-mma","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412809\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/412810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=412809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=412809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}