MMA Junkie reports that last nights UFC Fight Night 25 drew 7,112 fans for a gate of $685,000. In addition, Junkie reports the bonuses as $55,000 each.
The Battle of the Bayou ranked 10th amongst the 25 Fight Nights held by the UFC. In addition, the bonuses were announced by the UFC and are as follows:
Fight of the Night – Matthew Riddle vs. Lance Benoist
KO of the Night – Jake Ellenberger
Submission of the Night – T.J. Waldburger
Payout Perspective:
A disappointing night for Jake Shields although its likely that he was preoccupied for personal reasons. However, Jake Ellenberger’s career took a major jump. This night was heavily promoted at the start since it was presented by Bud Light. But with the Fox deal, and the rumors of Spike replacing the UFC with Bellator, there did not seem to be a lot of buzz for the event. In addition, looking purely at the fight lineup, there wasn’t much to be excited to see. Also, the Jones-Rampage “confrontation” was embarrassing. In the new Fox era, let’s hope this is scrapped. I think its awkward when HBO has its boxing “face off”. Its just not good if you don’t have two guys that can riff. Only Evans-Rampage had that feel.
Still, a good attendance and gate on a night when there were a lot of other alternatives to watch.
Another lost opportunity by the UFC to heavily activate and use a Sponsors dollars for promotion. It was a poor decision to A. host this “sponsored” Fight Night on Spike with all of the issues they have had going back and forth and the fact that Spike doesnt care about helping the UFC anymore… And B. The UFC could have done so much more to make this a huge grand slam to activate a Bud LIght deal which is the largest single source of revenue outside of PPV dollars in one stroke of the pen…
Sad. They can’t even get up for their number 1 sponsor and help drive market awareness and fan participation. The fact that Bud Light has to shoot their own cheesy television ad with Dana and Jon Jones (you can’t tell me that was coherent messaging, all i knew was there was some kind of fight) and the UFC slapped BL’s logo on the event and called it activation is sad.
Hell… the Pepsi AMP WEC Hometown Takedown on Versus was better executed than the Battle on the Bayou and thats when the WEC was facing extinction!!!
Ratings are in and continue to show decline. The FOX deal could not come any sooner. UFC needs a major injection publicity injection right now.