Zuffa Boxing began staging shows in January and, under the stewardship of UFC president Dana White, has set out to shake-up the world of boxing.
But their first venture into the UK, having signed a broadcast deal with Sky Sports, took place amid threats of legal action from British promoter Boxxer, with claims that Billam-Smith, Jack Massey and Sam Hickey were competing without “consent or authorisation”.
Saturday’s card moved swiftly with seven of the eight fights across the prelims and main card ending inside the distance.
Ringwalks for the main event started at 21:15 BST, with Rozicki carrying a book in tribute to the legendary Jack Dempsey, while also wearing brown gloves and boots as a nod to the late heavyweight world champion.
Stars from the boxing world took their seats early in the night, with welterweight Conor Benn, who signed with Zuffa Boxing in February, sat at ringside as well as British heavyweights Derek Chisora and David Adeleye.
Key local figures were also in attendance, with AFC Bournemouth co-CEO Jim Frevola sat behind Zuffa Boxing chiefs Dana White and Nick Khan, while UFC flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh and WWE’s Finn Balor were also ringside.
The Bournemouth International Centre has been known to produce some famous atmospheres for previous Billam-Smith fights, and it delivered once again.
The biggest cheers of the night came for the hometown fighters with Bournemouth middleweight Lee Cutler also picking up a win.
