Welcome to another edition of PPV History. This time we take a look at the main eventers for UFC 165.
Jon Jones
| Event | Opponent | Date | Buy Rate | Rating |
| UFC 159 | Chael Sonnen (TKO-1)) | April 27, 2013 | 550,000 | |
| UFC 152 | Vitor Belfort (Submission- 4) | September 22, 2012 | 450,000 | |
| UFC 145 | Rashad Evans (UD) | April 21, 2012 | 700,000 | |
| UFC 140 | Lyoto Machida (Technical Submission – 2) | December 10, 2011 | 485,000 | |
| UFC 135 | Quinton Jackson (Submission – 4) | September 24, 2011 | 520,000 |
As one of the top fighters in the company, Jones has decent name cache and it’s reflected in the buy rates over the past couple years. His two biggest PPV fight buys involve Sonnen, who sold the fight after their coaching stints on TUF and the heated rivalry with Rashad Evans. UFC 145 grabbed some buys as the company did a good job in selling the bad blood between the two fighters. Its not clear whether his lack of charisma to sell a fight is a detriment to selling a PPV.
Alexander Gustafsson
| Event | Opponent | Date | Buy Rate | Rating |
| UFC on Fox: Henderson v. Diaz | Mauricio Rua (UD) | December 8, 2012 | 4.4M | |
| UFC on Fuel TV: Gustafsson v. Silva | Thiago Silva (UD) | April 14, 2012 | 197,000 | |
| UFC 141 | Vladimir Matyushenko (TKO – 2) | December 30, 2011 | 535,000 | |
| UFC 133 | Matt Hammill (TKO – 2) | August 6, 2011 | 310,000 |
“The Mauler’s” last two fights have been a coming out party for Gustafsson. The Fuel TV spot was in Sweden in front of his hometown fans.
Payout Perspective:
UFC 165’s main promo has been the reach of Jones versus Gustafsson’s. Not really exciting stuff. It’s a little surprising that they didn’t try to promote the fact that there are two title bouts on this card. Although Barao-Wineland is not a household fight, it’s still for a UFC title.
The downward momentum continues..lol
@ Tops
BrainSmasher was sayin that PPVs are “up” this year.
What you guys cant add? This year will sell more PPVs than last and I will bet both of you money on it. BTW, as always tonight’s main event blows away anything boxing has ever done.
Yup Jon jones boxing skills has improved a lot that he could fight the klitchkos in boxing as he said….based on his fight with the ex Canadian amateur boxer…..I agree he would beat the klitchkos easily hahahaha……funny he s hyping like Dana 101…..and the Gatorade logo is prominent on his shorts….good for Gatorade cheap advertisement…haha
@ BS
I’ll bite. Right now, as it stands for the first 8 PPVs of each year (2012 and 2013), indeed 2013 is leading ….. by 35,000 units.
That’s pretty much a tie considering these numbers are not even official.
http://mmapayout.com/blue-book/pay-per-view/
We will see how the year plays out.