© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Islam Makhachev is extremely popular in New York.
On Saturday, Makhachev is making his welterweight debut, as he moves up in weight to face off against UFC Welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena.
On Thursday, the UFC held its press conference at Madison Square Garden, and Maddalena was loudly booed by the pro-Makhachev crowd.
@jzosports Jack Della Maddalena loudly booed by NYC crowd #ufc322
While speaking with Fox Sports Australia, White credited the large Muslim population in New York for Makhachev’s popularity in the Big Apple.
“Obviously, there’s a huge Muslim community out here in New York, and also, you have to look at the fact that Islam is looked at as one of the best ever. Islam has done so much. It’s basically like a Muslim country right now. I’m sure Jack is feeling it.”
White went on to reveal that UFC New York had generated a $13 million gate, which is the third-largest gate in Madison Square Garden history.
Dana White says #UFC322 will have a $13M gate.
That would place it #3 all-time for the UFC at MSG (this will be the 9th UFC event held at MSG).
Top UFC gates at MSG:
UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor: $17.7M
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic: $16,673,954pic.twitter.com/JjvCbw91B1
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) November 14, 2025
McGregor Vs Alvarez continues to be the largest gate in UFC history after putting a $17.7 million gate back in 2016.