UFC on Fuel TV 2 this afternoon (for those in the states) drew 15,428 fans and a record gate of $2.23 million. According to MMA Junkie, it ranked among the top five all-time UFC European shows of all time.
The event took place at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. It set attendance and gate records for the venue. There is no local athletic commission in Sweden so there will not be any official figures aside from the figures provided by the UFC.
In addition to the attendance and gate, Dana White announced the fight night bonuses. Each received $50,000.
Fight of the Night: Damacio Page vs. John Maguire Brad Pickett (sorry for the mistake)
Submission of the Night: Brad Pickett for a perfect armbar reversal from a kimura attempt.
KO of the Night: Siyar Bahadurzada
Usually the FOTN does not end in a submission but the UFC decided to give it to Page and Maguire. As an aside, does anyone else remember Page from TapouT’s reality show on Versus in 2007. Page was actually featured in the very first show.
Payout Perspective:
The attendance and gate figures reflect the global popularity of the UFC brand and its likely that we will see venture into new areas in Europe and Asia. It will also think about returning to Sweden based on the crowd. It would also help if Alexander Gustafsson becomes a contender in the light heavyweight division.
I promise Damacio didn’t fight McGuire …. & Pickett didn’t win via kimura reversal to armbar vs DaMarques Johnson
U were right about D being on tapout, Congrats on that
@Joshuah: I got the Damacio/Pickett and Maguire/Johnson fights mixed up. I’ve corrected it. Thanks
HOPE D DOESNT GET CUT but he has been finished every UFC fight! I love him, his wreckless style & EXTREME INTENSITY … can’t be mad if he does get cut tho
As a matter of fact there is a Swedish MMA federation – founded by some of the guys who have now founded the international MMA federation which the UFC supports.
MMA has been big in Sweden for years with Bas Rutten setting up a gym there like fifteen years ago or something (Pancrase Academy) and the Swedes are also one of the top nations when it comes to Muaythai – not kickboxing.
Submission Wrestling and BJJ are also major sports in Sweden and Denmark, where I live now has several world and european champions in BJJ (blue and black belt divisions).
So to us the figures are no surprise – some of the names on the card were though.
Where was Joachim Hansen, Joakim Engberg, Ole B. Laursen, Martin Kampmann (yes I know he fights soon), Olav Einemo, Nicolas Dalby etc. etc. etc. 🙂
Einemo is retired from the sport of MMA …. but nice list dropping knowledge!
I live in Denmark and know most of the guys. Did PRIDE BUSHIDO commentary with Hellboy; managed Ole Laursen and Engberg for a while; etc. etc. etc.
But I actually didn’t know that Einemo had retired so thanks for the update joshuah. 🙂