Welcome to another edition of Payout Perspective. In this edition we take a look at the UFC’s second PPV in New York. This time at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York.
New champ of new women’s division
Germaine de Randamie narrowly defeated Holly Holm to win the inaugural UFC women’s Featherweight Division. The decision did not go without controversy as de Randamie won 47-48 but was not deducted a point after two clear shots after the bell. Joe Rogan was apoplectic that the referee did not deduct one point on the second shot after the bell.
Regardless, the title goes to de Randamie. She has offered up a rematch with Holm due to controversy but one would think that Cyborg gets the next shot if she is given a retroactive TUE.
Silva turns back the clock, Brunson
Anderson Silva showed he still has it with a victory over Derek Brunson. Perhaps Silva won via show but Brunson seemed too tentative. It was a very emotional scene for Silva post-fight as he has come to terms with his role as a fighter that will not compete for a title.
Attendance
The Barclay’s Center was a sellout for UFC 208 with 15,628 fans for a live gate of $2,275,10. It was the highst grossing sporting event in arena history.
Bonuses
There were only 3 bonus winners since there was only one finish. Dusin Poirier and Jim Miller won for Fight of the Night while Jacare earned a Performance Bonus for stopping Tim Boetsch.
In tying in a sponsor, the UFC tweeted out the winners and included a link to Netflix’s new realtiy show Ultimate Beastmaster. It sounds like American Ninja Warrior.
#UFC208 Bonuses#FOTN: @DustinPoirier vs @JimMiller_155#POTN: @JacareMMA
BTYB @Beastmaster on @Netflix 2/24 pic.twitter.com/sp1vlsjH0I— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2017
Notably, Anderson Silva co-hosts the Brazilian version of Ultimate Beastmaster.
Promotion of the Fight
Holly Holm appeared on “Live with Kelly” to promote the event.
FIGHT FANS‼️
Don’t miss @HollyHolm on @LiveKelly TODAY!! #UFC208 pic.twitter.com/LXMXxQ6MiB
— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2017
There was no sponsor for the Embedded series this time around and perhaps sponsors knew that this was going to be a dud this time around.
Sponsorships
The usual sponsors were in the cage including MetroPCS, Harley Davidson, Toyo Tires, Budweiser, Halo Wars 2, the movie Fist Fight, Netflix’s The Ultimate Beastmaster and Monster Energy had the center.
Also, Microsoft’s Halo Wars 2 had the fighter prep point.
The movie Fist Fight starring Charlie Day and Ice Cube was featured during UFC 208. They also included a tweet associated with the event.
If I don’t get the chance to beat down #CharlieDay, #UFC’s @NateDiaz209 definitely will. #FistFight pic.twitter.com/q1FePCFvFP
— Ice Cube (@icecube) February 12, 2017
Odds and ends
It was the first time, in a long time that a PPV did not have Mike Goldberg as Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier joined Joe Rogan. The three still need seasoning. If it was up to me, I would like Dominick Cruz in place of Cormier.
New walkout song for The Spider. Hard not to associate him with DMX’s “Ain’t No Sunshine.” But, the song that replaced it was performed by his son Kalyl.
This is @SpiderAnderson‘s new walk out song for tonight by @officialkalyl. Silva vs Brunson tonight on PPV! https://t.co/HrDxCUWo6w pic.twitter.com/EiPifVZtaO
— Dana White (@danawhite) February 11, 2017
Dana White went on Instagram during UFC 208.
Jacare Souza should get the next shot at Bisping. Period.
Tony Parker, whose San Antonio Spurs played the New York Knicks on Sunday. The Spurs lost.
UFC 208 drew over 200,000 google searches on Friday. Anderson Silva drew 50,000 on Saturday. Likely, the searches for Silva occurred after news that he had won. So, it’s likely those aren’t due to wanting to buy the PPV.
Conclusion
It’s hard to think that this will be a big buy rate. None of the fights were compelling from a causal viewer standpoint. UFC 206 had over 200K google searches this past December and I think that 208 will do a similar buy rate. Look for this event to do between 150,000 to 175,000 buys.
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