UFC Closes Fight Night Event to Fans, Media amid Mark Zuckerberg Attendance Rumors

This Saturday's UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas will look a little different, as it will be closed off to the public and the media.

According to ESPN's Brett Okamoto, UFC president Dana White said Tuesday he simply wanted to give the media "a night off." However, strawweight fighter Mackenzie Dern told reporters on Wednesday that Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg is planning on renting out the event, which is the reason for the closure.

"I know Mark Zuckerberg rented out the whole event," Dern said at media day in Las Vegas. "I know he'll be there, but I don't know if it's literally him, his wife or if he'll have friends--some type of party. But from someone who wanted a main event with a crowd, [it's now] going to be very, very private."

Dern (12-2) is set to face China's Yan Xiaonan (15-3) in the main event of Saturday's fight card. Despite not having fans watching her, Dern said it doesn't change her mindset for the fight.

"I'm excited. That just makes me more driven to put on a good show," she said. "I know everyone is watching on TV, but for Mark and whoever is going to be there, put on a show. If that's what they want to see, is a show, then we're going to give a show."

Per Okamoto, "regular media members" were informed earlier this week that press credentials would not be issued for Saturday's event. There has been no official word from the UFC about the reason for the decision, but White said Tuesday that there's "no big secret" behind it.

Okamoto noted that Zuckerberg is a known fan of MMA and recently posted a video of him doing some drills. The 38-year-old is likely one of the few people with the power to rent out an entire UFC event.