UFC brings Noche UFC community activations to Glendale, partnering with Arizona non-profits before Fight Night

As UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Delgado played out at Desert Diamond Arena on Sept. 12, the organization also staged two local youth-focused events in Arizona as part of Noche UFC.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

UFC and the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance hosted two community activations with local non-profit organizations during the promotion’s annual Noche UFC weekend in Glendale, Arizona, the company announced on Oct. 16.

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista visited the Chavez Youth and Community Foundation for an afternoon with students and instruction on the fundamentals of boxing. The UFC release described the nonprofit as a youth-focused intervention and prevention program founded in 2016 by former pro boxer Pete Chavez, using amateur boxing to develop discipline, confidence, character and positive life skills.

UFC said Bautista’s stop included brand support from Pit Boss Grills, which provided dinner for students and coaches, and noted that UFC’s partner also donated two 850 DX wood pellet grills to help the foundation cater events and provide weekly meals. UFC added that at the end of the event, each student received a pair of Project Rock sneakers plus a T-shirt, hat and bag, and that UFC donated $10,000 to support the organization’s mission.

The following day, UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje surprised more than 100 students at the Swift Kids Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley in Glendale. UFC said Gaethje took part in friendly games including cornhole, kickball and air hockey, and also joined an arts-and-crafts session to create signs.

UFC reported that the students received Project Rock sneakers and UFC-branded notebooks and pens through Total Wireless, and that UFC committed $100,000 over four years to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. The release also said Gaethje, a Boys & Girls Club alumnus from nearby Safford, is on the advisory committee for the Tucson chapter, and that UFC donated an additional $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson in recognition of his local efforts.

Why It Matters

The activations illustrate how UFC frames fight-week weekends as a broader community program alongside its main Fight Night event.
With UFC President branding and athlete participation built into local youth programming, these efforts can strengthen ties for future regional events.
For the featured athletes, the appearances position Bautista and Gaethje as active community ambassadors during a high-visibility weekend.

Sources

Key Facts

UFC and the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance held two separate community activations during Noche UFC in Glendale, Arizona.
The first event was hosted at the Chavez Youth and Community Foundation on Sept. 9 with UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista.
UFC said the event included Pit Boss Grills dinner support, Project Rock sneakers and gear for students, and a $10,000 UFC donation to the foundation.
The second activation took place Sept. 10 at the Swift Kids Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley with UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
UFC reported Gaethje’s visit included games and an arts-and-crafts activity, plus Project Rock sneakers and UFC-branded notebooks and pens for students.
UFC said it committed $100,000 over four years to the Valley chapter and donated an additional $10,000 to the Tucson-area clubs connected to Gaethje’s work.