The UFC is seeking to do more shows and venues in 2022 according a New Year’s Day report in a Las Vegas Review Journal article.
In an interview with White, he indicated that all signs for the company is on the rise. He indicated social media subscribers are up “41 percent year-over-year and YouTube numbers are up 31 percent.” He also stated that other numbers for the company have gone up to “better-than-expected levels.”
White believes that when the UFC returns to California later this month, it will break the all-time indoor live gate record for California.
The thrust of the article is to promote the fact that the UFC wants to go back on the road. It highlights the success of the company through the pandemic and how White was able to find a way to hold events.
When the UFC returned to attendance of fans, it did big numbers with attendance and gate revenues.
With Omicron raging and events becoming postponed, the UFC is still planning events outside of its home base of Vegas. While the UFC has held many of its non-PPV Fight Night events at The Apex, its clear that the company wants to go out on the road.
White stated in the article:
“We built this [UFC] off going to places like Omaha, Nebraska, and all these towns that don’t get fights. We bring these events in, and when you experience a live fight, it makes you an even bigger fan. It’s something that needs to be done.”
The quote may be a bit surprising considering Omaha does not seem like the epicenter of fights, but the example reflects the UFC business model. A part of its strategy is connecting with fans by holding events in as many places as it can. While bigger cities might bring in more revenue, it would seem that White sees holding shows and building a fandom for them to follow on social media, online and purchase PPVs. Also, the UFC tends to skew red so holding events in prime red areas might be something that company may aim for at at time when Dana White is appearing on Fox News and the company provides credentials to web sites skewing conservative. Certainly, mask mandates and pandemic issues is a concern for the company as it continues to make strides in holding events. After its stop in Anaheim, it returns to Houston for February’s PPV. One would also think that the promotion is itching to hold events overseas side from Fight Island.
Another interesting part of the article is the last paragraph which addresses the issue of fighter pay:
“It [fighter pay] has gone up by a massive amount since 2016. All the champions share in PPV money, and we’re setting records there. Trust me, everybody is making money. We worked through the pandemic and kept all of our employees and kept the fighters working. Fighter pay has continually gone up.”
The quote likely addresses the ongoing issue with Francis Ngannou right now. While other fighters have had a problem with fighter pay, the UFC heavyweight champion is the latest to become disenchanted with the way he’s compensated.
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