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Dern: Meta's Zuckerberg rented out entire UFC Fight Night event

Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News / Getty

Saturday's UFC Fight Night card will take place without members of the media and fans due to a special VIP.

The company informed regular media members that there would be no press credentials or public tickets for the event.

The card, which features women's strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern fighting Yan Xiaonan in the main event, is set to take place in front of a sparse crowd at the UFC's Apex facility in Las Vegas.

The promotion did not provide a reason for closing off the event to the general public and media when it was announced earlier in the week. However, one of the fighters revealed Wednesday that Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg is the reason for the closure.

"I know Mark Zuckerberg rented out the whole event," Dern said, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "I know he'll be there, but I don't know if it's literally him, his wife, or if he'll have friends - some type of party. But from someone who wanted a main event with a crowd, (it's now) going to be very, very private."

The internet entrepreneur is a fan of mixed martial arts and posted himself performing MMA drills in a video earlier in the month.

The UFC has not commented on the reason it's holding back credentials to media and keeping out the general public. President Dana White refuted claims that the founder of Facebook rented out the Apex.

Regardless of who is or isn't in the crowd, Dern promises to put on a show on Saturday.

"I know everyone is watching on TV, but for Mark and whoever is going to be there, (I'm going to) put on a show," she said.

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