Countdown to UFC 107 aired Tuesday night on Spike TV to an average audience of 618,000, which is the highest rated Countdown show since UFC 101 (805,000 viewers) in early August. It’s a good sign for the UFC, because the interest levels in Countdown ratings tend to have a ballpark correlation with the actual PPVs they’re meant to promote.
However, the pre-fight indicators are generally mixed when it comes to UFC 107. It was reported earlier this week that just over 10,000 tickets had been sold one week out from the event, which isn’t spectacular for a new market. Barring any strong sales in the last week the attendance should fill out to an average 14,000 or 15,000, and would probably translate into a $2.0-$2.3 million gate.
Gregory Saks of Tapology.com also talks about the general interest activity surrounding BJ Penn, Diego Sanchez, and Frank Mir being somewhat average:
While the bout is highly compelling in its clash of styles and big personalities, the fan buzz rankings show that most casual viewers of the sport do not yet know of BJ Penn as a household name. Though Penn is one of the top pound-for-pound MMA fighters in the world he is currently only 31st in the buzz rankings of fighters. Diego Sanchez is ranked slightly higher, likely due to the lasting appeal and recognition generated from his days on Spike TV. While the card may deliver an excellent night of action for the fans, the UFC may need to temper any expectations for a blockbuster night along the lines of UFC 101 when Penn last fought.
The buzz rankings take into account the level of activity for people searching and reading about each MMA fighter online. The more online buzz, the greater the ranking.
Interestingly, UFC 107 participants BJ Penn, Diego Sanchez, and Frank Mir all peaked at one point in the past year at 5th in the buzz rankings. Penn’s peak came in January during the lead-up to his bout against Georges St. Pierre, Mir’s was in July surrounding his mega-bout with Brock Lesnar, and Sanchez reached 5th when he competed against Joe Stevenson in London, England.
I will be interested to see the buy rate on this, the countdown number seems pretty good, but as it’s pointed out, BJ really hasn’t broken through to the casual fans.
I do know if Brock heals up and can fight again Brock/Mir III is going to do gonzo business.
It’s a good card top to bottom, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it reaches 450-500K buys even though the last few events did not do as well.