Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is reporting that some of the PPV numbers are starting to come in for the cable companies and it looks as though UFC 111 is moving toward 770,000 buys, which is a little closer to MMAPayout.com’s prediction of 700,000 than the post-fight cable company estimates of 850,000.
Updated UFC 111 numbers look to be coming in at around 770,000 buys. With Georges St. Pierre as the headliner, the numbers were strongest in Canada, as the top per capita markets were Halifax, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa. Montreal, Hamilton, Saskatoon, St. John’s, Windsor, Kingston, Burlington (Ont), Regina and Victoria, all Canadian markets. The top U.S. markets were Honolulu, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Seattle, Newark and Denver.
Payout Perspective:
UFC 111 was a tremendously important event for the UFC, because it was essentially the launching point for the organization’s spring/summer campaign. The media and fan interest that comes along with an event that does 770,000 buys should translate into further interest in the UFC’s next few events.
While a good result for UFC 112 would be 400k, expect the UFC to be looking in the 600k range for both 113 and 114 where they’ll be able to generate far more interest in these domestic fights with two interesting top draws (the rematch and the grudge match, respectively).
Note: The PPV estimates are incomplete and still subject to change. We’ve posted the reports to give you an idea of the events progress with the cable companies.
Note II: Interesting that Seattle was one of the top markets, again, for the UFC. White has openly said he’d like to take a show there in the next 12 months and I’d expect that to come sooner, rather than later, if these market reports continue to produce such good results in that market.
Jose Mendoza says
Nicely put Kelsey. I’ve even heard some other “biz” folks say that it is trending at 750K, so it seems the MMAPayout prediction was a very good one.
JJ says
UFC 111 did nearly as much as Pacquiao’s last PPV and he has broad international appeal.
Mayweather’s next fight will do over a 1 million buys but UFC 116 could beat.
UFC 113 will do over 650k because it has a great rematch and Kimbo is on the PPV.
UFC 114 has a lot of casual fan appeal. Evans vs Rampage will be cross promoted with the A-Team movie. That movie will get a lot of buzz this summer. 650k range seems likely.
ggg says
yeah but all the ppv buys of ufc are more of estimates..because they dont allow the numbers to be released…unlike hbo where they haf to release the official figure..so its hard to compare pacquiaos official number and that of ufc 111 unofficial number
Stan Kosek says
ggg,
If the numbers are being reported from Meltzer, while still unconfirmed, they are considered solid… he has a ton of solid sources in the PPV industry