MMA Fighting reports that early PPV numbers show that UFC 158 should exceed 800,000 buys. The caustic mix of GSP and Nick Diaz proved to be the ingredients for people to buy the PPV.
Although it was expected that this event would be the biggest in terms of PPV buy rate since Silva-Sonnen II, the addition of the unpredictable Nick Diaz benefited the hype for the fight. The viewership for the press conference, weigh-ins and post-fight show reflects the above average interest viewers had for this card. The hype for this card was done without the usual Primetime series which usually precedes a GSP fight.
Via MMA Fighting:
The success of the show is even more impressive since it was achieved without a three-week Primetime series as Penn, Hardy, and Shields had to build up their title challenges. The Ultimate Fighter season with Koscheck and GSP had weekly tension between the coaches.
The centerpiece of the hype was Diaz. From his “wolf tickets” remark at the press conference to his post-fight tax evasion “admission” people tuned in to see what he was going to do or say.
Payout Perspective:
The early indications of the PPV numbers suggest that GSP is still the king of PPV despite not finishing a fight in ages. Secondly, Nick Diaz will not retire. Despite what he said about leaving the sport, he still is a top draw. Also, if it is correct that he owes backtaxes, he will need the money. Overall, the event was a success and once again confirmed the popularity of GSP.
I wonder why they didn’t spend on the promotion of the fight. Weird
and this is why Hendricks didn’t get the title shot…
Diaz is not a top draw. The numbers certainly don’t back that up. Penn/Diaz did 20k more buys that the overseas Penn/Fitch bout. Against the right person, I think he can do good numbers, but he himself is not a major draw.
Diaz/GSP was a mix of personalities, grandstanding and a fight that had been building for a year and a half.
The PPV numbers for GSP are consistently good. He is a star the MMA public loves to watch.
When GSP took a short publicity trip to the Philippines, he was mobbed–much to his and the UFC’s surprise. A giant shopping mall filled with fans wanting a glimpse of the champ. TV shows and radio stations vied for an interview with him.
When GSP visited Japan–the reserved Japanese cheered him loudly when he arrived to receive his 3rd dan black belt in kyokushin karate. When he attended a fan Q and A the place was packed with fans.
Of course, in Canada–GSP is very popular, but he is also popular in the US and Brazil.
Yet, reading around the internet MMA sites–one notices a number of very vocal haters of GSP. Their criticism of GSP focuses on his recent lack of finishes–6 decisions in a row. Now if you looked at the pictures of Fitch or Alves after their fights with GSP, for example, you would agree they were beaten up very badly–their faces looked like raw hamburger. Even though GSP fights to a decision–it’s not even close, and his opponents and the fans have no doubt who won.
The UFC WW division shares with the LW division the most depth of skill and ferocity the UFC has to offer. Both divisions possess the most well-rounded and skilled fighters on the planet. GSP is the top of the heap of the best division in the UFC–and has been champ for 5 and a half years. He has avenged his only two losses in dominant fashion, and has won 11 matches in a row against fighters with a variety of styles and skillsets–who are the best of the best.
Even though the WW division is stacked and deep–GSP has dominated every one of his opponents. Those decisions weren’t split–they were all unanimous and usually 50-45 or better.
So how does one explain the hate? A long-time champ defeats the favorite fighters of many fans along the way to victory. These fans don’t take well to their heroes being dominated–otten with humiliating ease.
In addition, not all MMA fans are alike. Some of the ‘just bleed’ crowd thirst for rockem’ sockem’ robot style fighting, where technical fighting is thrown out the window in favor of the Russian roulette of windmill exchanges. Some should probably watch kickboxing–since they are in denial when it comes to appreciating wrestling as true martial art.
MMA is a dynamic blend of the three pillars:
8 point striking (boxing, karate, muay thai etc),
jui jitsu/judo, and
wrestling (american and greco-roman)
MMA has evolved to a point now where each of those pillars is essential to a successful MMA career. GSP has acquired all those skills and blends them seamlessly. He also fights intelligent fights, which adapt to his opponents skillsets.
After UFC 158. I found it vastly amusing to read the vitriol poured out on GSP–as sour-grapes Diaz fans sought for any pretext to criticize GSP and forgive their idol, Nick Diaz.
For my part, I appreciate GSP as one of the greatest fighters ever to grace the octagon, and I realize he probably won’t be fighting until he is 40–he is too smart for that. And he will keep pulling in huge PPV numbers until he retires–because the true MMA fans know when they are seeing master of the art of fighting.
I am not a hater of GSP. However i do find myself critically analyizing him and his situation. Having so many fans, many of those fans delusional because he is from Canada and follow him for that reason more so than being fight fans, you will be called a hater if you mentioned anything negative about him. But i do this to any fighter who has that unbeatable aura. I dont believe it and do not like when fans fall for it. My compeitive nature leads me to break down fighters for flaws.
I dont think it is as black and white when talking about GPS’s success. Much of his dominance is due to timing. He come in at a young age and caught many of the best fighters in the UFC on their way down. Now im not taking anything away from him. He is great. But it is why he is able to dominate them rather than win compeitive fights. The best guys he fought he had 3-5 years youth advantage. Now he is about to face his toughest fights. Fights i dont see him winning and they are guys about his age. It isnt a coincidence. especially when he has used speed as his main weapon with jabs and shots for takedowns as well as avoiding punches. Jon Jones is currently using the same formula. The UFC keeps big name fighters for a long time because they sell. They only let in the best of the best young fighters. But when one does come along and gets in. He wrecks the old guys. There is guys who are young who could be very compeitive and dangerous for Jones. He might still win but he wouldnt look as dominate as he does smashing guys 5+ years older than him past their peak age(ussually 30). Timing is art of the process i guess and you really cant hold it against him. BUt i do keep it in perspective. I judge his skills and ability as they are and not as they appear. You cant fall into the trap of watching him smash people he was supposed to smash and think to yourself he is god at everything. People love to step outside reality when it comes to things like this. GSP has done the best with the hend he was dealt than any WW in history. But he isnt flawless or even close. When there is a level playing field GSP isnt as head and shoulders above everyone as people like to think. So when you have unreasonable fans it creates unreasonable haters who want to spite those fans.
BS,
GSP is/was 5 years older than Hughes, Penn, Serra, Trigg, Sherk, Koscheck, Shields. Diaz, Hardy, Condit?
Rubbish!
I didnt say he was older. He was younger which was a huge advantage and why he cant finish guys today and why he will lose to Hendricks and Ellenburger. That advatange is gone. As an example of the effectiveness of a young fighter jumping into the AARP Fighting Championships. Look at Sokoudjou when he fought in Pride. 2 top 5 fighters about 30 years old get a 23 year old who come out and starched them. He wasnt that good but those guys havent seen that explosive speed and power than comes with being young and at your physical peak. Now the younger fighter doesnt always win. But in lots of situations its a huge advantage. Speed and reflexes are a very important and under rated aspect of a fight. Being younger gives both of those a huge boost and often gives an advantage that makes every single skill, technique, and ability more effective.
Here we go again ppv number estimates.trending for Dana’s marketing….if Dana won’t declare publicly then what’s the point ?if the guesstimate is high Dana dosent talk but if they say it’s really low then they comment on it and say its higher.they can do that with the public but sponsors and fox know the actual numbers.