Dave Meltzer reports that UFC 225 drew 250,000 PPV buys. The PPV buys was the subject of scrutiny when an LA Times report noted that UFC 225 drew “less than 150,000 buys” per an industry source.
A UFC attorney came out to call it a “material misrepresentation” indicating it was short by “something in excess of six figures,” but did not provide a correct number.
But the key paragraph on Meltzer’s report on MMA Fighting notes:
Industry sources with knowledge of the number pegged that as of the end of last week, it was estimated at doing about 250,000 buys, a number that would combine both the traditional television purchases and the streaming purchases. That would be lower to what would be expected for the show.
One might suggest that the LA Times report could have factored in traditional TV purchases and not the streaming purchases which could make all parties correct.
UFC 225 was headlined by Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero in what was to be a bout for the middleweight title. But, Romero failed to make weight and the fight was declared a non-title bout. The semi-main event saw Colby Covington win the UFC interim welterweight title with a victory over Rafael dos Anjos.
CM Punk made his second appearance in the UFC with a loss in the first fight of the PPV against Mike Jackson.
Payout Perspective:
From a tech perspective, one might suggest we see more people buying online rather through their TV distributor. This could be a result of people cutting the cord. The 250,000 PPV buy report reflects the lack of drawing power on the card. Despite the fact that Punk’s last appearance on PPV drew 450,000 buys, it was clear that the draw was just a one-time curiosity. Arguably, with this being the strongest card put together this year, the PPV buy rate has to be fairly disappointing.
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