Early predictions from last Saturday’s UFC 206 PPV appear to be at just 150,000 buys. The event featured Max Holloway versus Anthony Pettis for the UFC interim Featherweight title.
UFC 206: Holloway v Pettis drew lowest PPV num of 2016 w/ an estimated 150K buys. Prelims on FS1 drew 2nd lowest num of yr (771K) #ufc #f4w
— MMA Supremacy (@MMASupremacy) December 15, 2016
The original UFC main event was Daniel Cormier versus Anthony Johnson for the light heavyweight title. However, there was speculation that Georges St-Pierre was returning to the UFC for this card. But, as we know that did not happen.
There were indicators of this low mark for this year in UFC PPV. There were only 200,000 google searches for UFC 206 on Friday night. The searches are an indicator of interest. The UFC Prelims drew 771,000 viewers which was second-lowest of the year on FS1 to UFC 204. UFC 201 drew just 331,000 viewers but that broadcast was on FS2.
Payout Perspective:
One cannot be too surprised with the estimated 150,000 buys as there was nothing special about the main card for casual fans to purchase. Obviously, Toronto fans proved that they were still interested in the card as it was another sell out for a UFC PPV. The fights on the card were excellent but there was just not enough fan interest to garner interest. Of course, with UFC 207 coming up later this month, some fans likely passed on this card and will wait for the end of the year card.
Fight Fan says
Wow maybe they should consider not having a ppv every month and loading the cards up more.
TOPS E says
Road to 4 billion would be hard hahahaha
d says
Make shift, last minute replacement UFC ppvs outdraw nearly every boxing ppv this year. Hahahaha!
JDC says
Even though this card wasn’t very strong on paper, it was one of the best. Hopefully, numbers are better than this and at least in the 200,000 to 300,000 range. Random question but how would you guys feel about a fight with Matt Brown vs Anthony Pettis at 170? Sounds kinda crazy…I know.
turd says
ha the funny thing is the main card was very entertaining.
GSP says
These new owners are morons.. You would think they would want to maximize the profits on the 13 PPV’s a year.
500k buys would have earned $30 million and GSP would’ve easily brought that
I’m looking forward to them going bankrupt
turd says
gsp i for the life of me cannot figure out why they dont want gsp to fight.
he was a big draw for them. for many years. and a class act. longest reigning champ to i believe.
hey jdc anthony pettis is pretty washed up he doesnt even deserve top be a main event anymore, most guys would have been cut by now . i think he is like 1-5 in his past 6 fights.