Why Is The State of Iowa Spending $50,000 on a UFC Fight?

The state of Iowa is getting involved in mixed martial arts, as it will help foot the bill for the Ultimate Fighting Championship event being held in Des Moines this spring.

UFC Fight Night is coming to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on May 3rd. The Des Moines Register reports that the state of Iowa has approved a $50,000 sports tourism grant. The money will be used to assist the arena, the Catch Des Moines Tourism Bureau and the UFC to promote the event through the use of billboards, digital advertising, and TV and radio commercials. According to documents with the Iowa Economic Development Authority promoters are looking to attract men ages 25 to 44 who live within a 3 to 4-hour drive from Des Moines.

The Register reports that the fights at Wells Fargo Arena will be the first for the UFC in Iowa since UFC 26 was held in Cedar Rapids in June of 2000. The Iowa Economic Development Authority says they're expecting around 16,500 spectators with another 2.2 million watching on TV.

The event will also be big business for Des Moines. The Register points out that the event could translate into nearly 14,000 hotel stays which would generate $1.3 million in revenue. That doesn't include all the fans visiting local restaurants, bars, and stores.

Tickets for the UFC event in Des Moines are available HERE through the Iowa Events Center. Ticket prices start at just under $100 and go into the thousands for ringside seats. The fights will feature Des Moines native Jeremy Stephens in his return to the UFC.

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