Puka Nacua, wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, made a notable appearance in Las Vegas over the weekend while attending the UFC 326 championship event at the T-Mobile Arena. The gathering brought excitement not only for mixed martial arts fans but also for those following Nacua, whose impressive NFL season earned widespread attention.
After the Rams’ narrow loss in the 2025 NFL Conference Championship to the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua took time to recharge during this UFC weekend in his hometown. His presence was confirmed by a social media post that showed him in a luxury hotel bathroom, wearing a coordinated blue tracksuit, emphasizing his attendance at the much-anticipated event.
Nacua’s 2025 Season and NFL Achievements
During the 2025 NFL season, Nacua stood out as a key player for the Rams, securing 129 receptions and accumulating 1,715 receiving yards. These numbers placed him second in the league for total yardage, and with 10 touchdown catches, he tied for sixth overall in the NFL. His rookie season had also been remarkable, surpassing a longstanding receptions record held since 1960 by Bill Groman by catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards.
Despite the team’s early playoff exit, Nacua’s individual performance promises a strong return for the Rams next season, amid hopes of rebuilding and making a deeper postseason run.
UFC 326 Headliners and Nacua’s Local Connection
The headline fight at UFC 326 featured a high-profile rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, a sequel to their brief and injury-shortened bout in 2015. Holloway came into the event on the heels of a unanimous decision victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. Nacua, attending as a spectator, enjoys a unique hometown link—he was born in Las Vegas on May 29, 2001, and began his early football career in the Nevada Youth Football League.
This connection added a layer of hometown pride to his presence, drawing interest from both NFL and MMA communities in Las Vegas.
Relationship Between Nacua and UFC President Dana White
UFC President Dana White shared personal anecdotes highlighting his close bond with Nacua, dating back to their shared childhood environment. White revealed,
“My kids grew up with Puka. He grew up in our house,”
underscoring the familial ties between Nacua and the White family. Both Nacua and White’s son, Dana White III—nicknamed Little Dana—played together on the Little Cowboys, a youth football team supported by White and former UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta.
This team provided a professional atmosphere for youth athletes, including Nacua and White III, who played in the same offensive unit.
It’s #TBT how times fly! GREAT TIMES w/Lil Cowboys @danawhite @danaiiiwhite @AsapPuka #inspire2Bgreat pic.twitter.com/7eRukz8MDE
— Coach Whitey (@coachDavidWhite) May 31, 2019
White praised Nacua’s character and progress by stating,
“To see Puka doing what he’s doing now… it could not happen to a better human being.”
Nacua’s Future Plans and Team Goals
Looking ahead, the Rams plan to take their competition global with a scheduled 2026 regular-season game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the NFL’s first-ever match at the venue. Until then, Nacua remains home in Las Vegas, honing his skills and preparing to elevate the Rams’ offense. His early ties to the city and its sporting communities, along with his NFL success, position him as a rising star heading into the new season.
Rams' Puka Nacua turns heads in Las Vegas for UFC 326@RamsNFL @AsapPuka @NFL pic.twitter.com/6ZI5l8XrvS
— MOHAMMAD ASIF ANSARI (@WriterMohammad) March 7, 2026
It’s #TBT how times fly! GREAT TIMES w/Lil Cowboys @danawhite @danaiiiwhite @AsapPuka #inspire2Bgreat pic.twitter.com/7eRukz8MDE
— Coach Whitey (@coachDavidWhite) May 31, 2019
