NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO) — The sold-out UFC 318 event recently held at the Smoothie King Center is being labeled a “huge success.” Officials with New Orleans & Company in partnership Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation saluted the July 19 event that brought in an “enthusiastic crowd” of 18,318 attendees.

Organizers said UFC 318 drew a record-breaking crowd of over 18,000 fans, generating more than $8 million in ticket sales at the Smoothie King Center.

Pitbull earns his first UFC win! Monster Energy congratulates MMA athlete Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire on defeating Dan Ige at UFC 318 in New Orleans on Saturday night. In the featherweight division bout on the main card,

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - UFC 318 delivered a historic night at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday, drawing more than 18,000 fans and generating over $8 million in ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing event in the venue’s history.

Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) picked up arguably the biggest win of his UFC career when he outworked former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-7-1 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the prelims.

New Orleans is a championship city—uniquely Built to Host a variety of events; it’s a place where winning moments meet world-class hospitality,” said Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company.

Theo Von and other celebrities attended the Power Slap in New Orleans to watch fighters deliver and receive hellacious strikes in front of thousands.

On the sixth episode of UFC 318 "Embedded," Michael Johnson takes his family to a post-weigh-ins meal at New Orleans institution Mother's.

Brandon Staley is in his first season as New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator. A 19-year coaching veteran, including the last eight in the NFL with three as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers,