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          Sphere offers powerful Mexican storytelling at UFC 306

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          This transition inside Sphere is absolutely mind-boggling (0:32)

          As the UFC prepares for a new fight, it introduces a new background in epic fashion on Sphere screen. (0:32)

          • ESPN
          Sep 15, 2024, 04:50 PM

          Coming into Noche UFC, UFC president and CEO Dana White was inspired to use his fight card -- on the weekend of Mexican Independence Day -- to tell a story of the fighting spirit of Mexico.

          The platform for his storytelling would be Las Vegas' Sphere, the one-of-a-kind venue that serves as the world's largest spherical structure. At over 360 feet tall and a 580,000-square-foot fully programmable LED exterior and 160,000-square-foot interior, White would have plenty to work with.

          "We created this movie that I call a love letter to Mexico," White said on ESPN's "First Take." "[The movie] talks about their culture, their history, and, more importantly, the fighting spirit of Mexico. The place that they hold in combat sports, all the greats that have ever come from there. So all of this is going to be combined into a live event.

          "So we have this movie and we have chapters of the movie. So, one chapter of the movie will play, and then a fight will happen. Another chapter will play, then a fight will happen, and this thing starts at the beginning of time and ends in the future of Mexico."

          In front of over 16,000 in attendance at Sphere, six chapters played out during the main card of UFC 306, supplemented with UFC's "Octagon Girls" in wardrobe representative of different regions and themes tied to Mexico's rich culture. The UFC shared details of each chapter of the film via X.

          Chapter 1: In the beginning

          The film, "For Mexico, For All Time," set out to offer diverse perspectives on Mexico's journey, from its earliest civilizations to modern-day achievements. "This film was an incredible collaborative opportunity to merge the universes of Mexico's culture, UFC's history," said Joe Sill, director at Impossible Objects and chapter producer, to the UFC. "Seeing this inside the epic showcase of the Sphere is a breathtaking view into what the future of storytelling may hold, and we are thrilled to be a part of it."

          Chapter 2: Early civilizations

          Artist Saad Moosajee aimed to transport viewers to the beginning of Mexican civilization. Additionally, Danza Azteca costumes were worn "honoring the rich heritage of Aztec design while introducing contemporary elements."

          Chapter 3: Rituals and traditions

          "This project blended the fascinating research of Mexican rituals and traditions with the creation of an epic fantasy world for UFC 306 in the Sphere," Paul Nicholls of Factory Fifteen, who directed and produced the chapter, said to the UFC. "It perfectly showcases our detail-oriented maximalist."

          Chapter 4: Battle for independence

          "As a Mexican director, this project has been a unique challenge, particularly from a pictorial perspective," BASA studios director and chapter 4 producer Diego Huacuja said to the UFC. "Inspired by the greatest muralist artists of Mexico -- Diego Rivera, Juan O'Gorman, and David Alfaro Siqueiros -- we symbolized 11 years of struggle for independence through an epic animated piece serving as an ode to the entire movement for Mexican independence."

          Chapter 5: Fighters and heroes

          "Crafting a film for Sphere is truly unlike anything we've made before," shared Shynola, director at Nexus Studios and chapter producer, to the UFC. "The screen fills your field of vision, which means it has a filmic language all its own unique to this venue. That's been both a challenge and a lot of fun: thinking about shots, composition, lighting and movement in new ways to play with and fully utilize this incredible screen so the audience has the best experience. Sphere has given us a special opportunity to tell the story in a new, astounding way. It's breathtaking."

          Chapter 6: Mexico today and tomorrow

          "The Sphere is the most exciting screen in the world to be creating stories for right now," Chris O'Reilly, Nexus Studios creative director and chapter producer, said to the UFC. "It's been an incredible journey collaborating with the visionary Carlos López Estrada (produced by Valerie Bush) and a host of exceptionally talented directors, designers, VFX artists, and technical teams to bring this project to life. This venue pushes the boundaries of immersive storytelling, and we can't wait for audiences to experience the innovation and creativity that have gone into making this a reality."