The UFC placed on a singular cultural extravaganza at UFC 306, held on the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14, 2024, with the Octagon ladies donning elaborate Day of the Lifeless-themed costumes. The occasion, titled Noche UFC, coincided with Mexico’s Independence Day weekend and was described by UFC president Dana White as a “love letter to Mexico.”
day of the useless
Day of the Lifeless, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican vacation that honors deceased family members and is widely known on November 1st and 2nd. This custom originates from Mesoamerican indigenous peoples, particularly the Aztecs, who noticed dying as a continuation of life somewhat than an finish. The arrival of Spanish colonists within the sixteenth century launched Catholic observances akin to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which merged with indigenous rituals to create the trendy Day of the Lifeless celebration.
The vacation facilities across the creation of an ofrenda, or altar, embellished with marigold flowers, pictures of the deceased, favourite meals, and candles. The household believes these choices information spirits from the afterlife to go to the residing. Sugar skulls, often known as calaveras de azucar, function ornamental parts on altars and symbolize the cycle of life and dying.
The celebration focuses on pleasure somewhat than mourning, permitting households to reunite with their deceased kin by means of colourful parades, conventional meals, and celebratory gatherings. Many contributors put on elaborate cranium face paint or costumes in reminiscence of those that have died.
UFC Octagon Women
Eight new Octagon ladies joined the occasion, together with six Mexican-born girls and two second-generation Mexican People. The roster included Hanna Esparza, Aired Coleno, Ariadna Vidal, Carla Espiritu, Valeria Galván, Danny Rhule, and extra. Every lady wore a customized wardrobe and make-up to match the totally different themed chapters introduced all through the occasion.
Seven-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer Marina Toibina created the intricate costumes for the Octagon Women. Toibina, who has designed for main artists akin to Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and The Masked Singer, brings experience in mixing storytelling and visible spectacle to UFC occasions. The costumes featured a number of distinct types that honored Mexican heritage. Some Octagon ladies put on conventional Mexican costumes, whereas others embody the “Sacred Coronary heart” theme with beautiful black web robes, elaborate face make-up, and headdresses.
The make-up design incorporates Day of the Lifeless parts, together with intricate face paint resembling sugar cranium decorations. Make-up artists Lisette Santana and Mara Legal guidelines created detailed appears to be like for a number of of the octagon ladies. The designs included colourful patterns, floral motifs, and skeletal imagery attribute of the Día de los Muertos celebrations.
The manufacturing group behind UFC 306 created six 90-second movie chapters showcasing totally different eras of Mexican historical past, with every section accompanied by a corresponding visible theme that’s mirrored within the Octagon ladies’ apparel. The occasion generated a record-breaking $22 million dwell gate, making it the highest-grossing occasion in UFC historical past. The flowery manufacturing, which value roughly $20 million, featured a customized fighter package, an authentic movie directed by Carlos López Estrada, and the unprecedented integration of Sphere’s cutting-edge expertise.
