On Tuesday's edition of the Jim Rome Show, UFC president Dana White declared that UFC 189 has already surpassed the biggest gate the organization has done in the U.S., effectively becoming the biggest-grossing gate in U.S. mixed martial arts history.

The build up for UFC 189 was the most expensive one the organization had ever embarked on, going on an unprecedented five-country, eight-city tour to promote the title fight between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor. Everyone was disappointed that Aldo had to pull out due to a rib, and there were fears that the cost of promoting the card was for naught. That wasn't the case.

"What's crazy is, that fight [Aldo-McGregor] gets canceled, we bring in Chad Mendes," White said. "The gate in Vegas at the MGM, $6.8 million, we put Mendes in, the gate went to $7.1 M. We actually had to add bleachers in there. The event is the biggest gate we've done in the U.S."

As noted by MMA Fighting, the previous gate record was just over $6.9 million for UFC 148, which featured the rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.

"In this case, Aldo was going to make millions of dollars in this fight. This was the biggest fight of his career, financially and every other way," White said about Aldo having had to pull out.

"You're looking at a guy who hasn't lost in 10 years, defended his title seven times. Believe me when I tell you he wanted to be here Saturday night, everyone loses except Chad Mendes. One man's loss is another man's gain."

Meanwhile, there have been concerns about McGregor being able to make weight. The Irishman was reportedly at 172 lbs. five days before the fight, and has looked gaunt and weary in recent social media posts.