MMA Payout’s business story of the year is likely everyone else’s big news of the year: The Money Fight which saw Conor McGregor make his debut in the ring against Floyd Mayweather. What many thought would never happened at the beginning of 2017 actually came together rather quickly as the two squared off the last […]
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MPO Year in Review: No. 2 Jon Jones returns to Octagon and is flagged by USADA (again)
In addition to the return of GSP, Jon Jones returned from suspension for his long-awaited grudge match with Daniel Cormier. However, what we thought was a great redemption story turned into another setback for a fighter that could have been the best ever. Notably, at the Summer Kickoff press conference in May, UFC fans had […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 3 GSP Returns
2017 saw the return of Georges St Pierre as he faced Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in New York this November. GSP’s return came with much fanfare, but his future with the company remains uncertain. The matchup with Bisping appeared handpicked by GSP for his return. It was scheduled for July’s UFC International Fight Week […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 5 Mark Hunt sues the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar
In January, Mark Hunt filed a lawsuit against Zuffa, Dana White and Brock Lesnar from his loss at UFC 200 to the returning WWE star and subsequent revelation that Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance on the UFC anti-doping policy. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Nevada, was unique as it included allegations […]
MPO Year in Review: No. 6 Down year for UFC PPVs
It was a disappointing year for UFC PPVs as 4 UFC PPVs did not surpass 200,000 PPV buys. The absence of Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and lack of another UFC star to appeal to the mainstream hurt this year’s events. UFC 208: 200,000 UFC 209: 300,000 UFC 210: 300,000 UFC 211: 300,000 UFC 212: 167,000 […]