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.

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.

You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut! UFC’s latest batch of newbies went 1-1. Islam Dulatov was the last fighter from Season 8 of the Contender Series to make his UFC debut, but it was worth the wait.

NEW ORLEANS – Paulo Costa's shaking at the UFC 318 pre-fight news conference had some viewers scratching their heads, while others were concerned. But immediately following his win Saturday at Smoothie King Center,

Max Holloway celebrates after beating Dustin Poirier in a lightweight title fight at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.

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.

New Orleans rapper Alfred Banks celebrates his birthday on Saturday, July 19, with a show at Gasa Gasa. He’ll be joined by La Reezy, who recently has been catching some national attention, and gifted lyricist Kaye the Beast. Music starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $19.29 via gasagasanola.com.

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.