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Posted 12/01/2008 at 06:53 PM
I had a reader ask me recently why are all the big megafights lately have been taking place at the MGM Grand, and is that casino trying to take over this portion of the market? The MGM Grand has already hosted UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar, and is scheduled to host the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao boxing match, UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 and UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II next next couple of months.
I have been on record stating that the arena at Mandalay Bay is vastly superior, from sight lines to the media center and parking, but this is not a power play from the MGM Grand. In fact, Mandalay Bay Corporation owns a good chunk of the casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard that includes the MGM, Mandalay Bay, City Center, Bellagio, The Mirage, Luxor, Excalibur and New York New York among others.
The real reason for all the fights taking place at the MGM Grand recently is because the Mandalay Bay is remodeling its employee dining center. With a property that has thousands of employees, the events center is one of the few places that has the necessary size to serve its employees. The new employee dining room should be done sometime early next year, so expect big events to return to Mandalay Bay.
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