Unpredictable battles steeped in raw action and an authentic display of fighting skills make the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) immensely popular. The unprecedented reach is mainly due to the smart marketing tactics and the compelling fights featuring intense action.
This popularity is like the global reach of online casinos. Easy access through smartphones has made casino sites popular worldwide. Games that feature exciting bonus options and free spins are another reason for the popularity. For instance, the slot game Liberty 7 has exciting bonuses when you get the highest combinations.
With the mixed martial arts company hosting events globally since 1993, it has seen remarkable growth. The company’s revenue increased by 335 percent in one year. This success is attributed to star fighters such as Conor McGregor. Are you eager to know which fights were the highest grossers? Here is a breakdown.
Understanding UFC Revenue: PPV vs. Gate
With a worldwide audience, the UFC generates revenue via different streams. Over the years, the company has diversified its financial system. Revenue of the company now includes media rights, sales of merchandise, and sponsorships.
A shift in the revenue is mainly due to the shift of the company’s focus from the North American PPV program to channels like ESPN+. Here is a table showing the comparison of the two main revenue streams of the championship.
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Pay-per-view (PPV) |
Gate |
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It is the largest revenue stream for UFC, particularly in events that feature top fighters. |
The revenue is from sales of tickets to live events, so the generated amount is less. |
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At present, the events can be watched via ESPN+. |
It is a live event, with the revenue mostly being dwarfed by those from PPV and media rights. |
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The revenue generated is very high, with the highest-grossing events generating an amount that is in the range of $80 to $180 million. At present, the UFC PPV event subscriptions are sold at $79.99 per event. |
Revenue is not considerable when compared to PPV. For instance, the Parisian UFC generated around US$3.4 million through ticket sales. |
Top 5 Highest-Grossing UFC Fights
The revenue and the PPV buys are used to determine the highest revenue-earning UFC fights. Here are the top 5 UFC fights that have seen the highest revenue to date.
UFC 229 – Khabib vs. McGregor (October 6, 2018)
This UFC fight is reportedly the most-watched fight with 2.4 million PPV buys. The high number of views for this fight is due to the lead fighters, McGregor and Khabib. Khabib won the fight, which received a gross revenue of $180 million. The revenue includes $86.4 million total economic output, $17.2 million in salaries and wages, and $3.7 million in total taxes that visitors to the event had paid.
UFC 264 – Poirier vs. McGregor III (July 2021)
This mixed martial arts fight by UFC is a lightweight event. It had an attendance of 20,062 people, and total gate revenue was $15,759,800. McGregor was ranked 5th, while Dustin Poirier was ranked 1st going into the fight. Poirier won the fight with a TKO as McGregor fell during the fighting session, breaking his leg in the process. The gross revenue for this fight was $120 million, and the total PPV buys were 1,800,000.
UFC 202 – McGregor vs. Diaz II (August 2016)
The total PPV buys for this fight between Diaz and McGregor were 1,650,000. The revenue from live tickets was $7,692,010. This battle had 15,539 people in attendance and featured 12 bouts. After an initial bout of defeat, McGregor won the battle against Diaz. This match earned a revenue of $90 million. An amount of $6,106,000 was disclosed as the payout.
UFC 257 – Poirier vs. McGregor II (January 2021)
This match between Poirier and McGregor was held in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. It was streamed exclusively on ESPN+. The event had a total of 1,600,000 pay-per-view buys. This match had 11 MMA bouts and amassed a revenue of $100 million. While McGregor held the lead initially, Poirier had a solid comeback and won the fight with a knockout.
UFC 100 – Lesnar vs. Mir II (July 2009)
In this heavyweight fight between Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar, 1.6 million pay-per-views were sold. The total revenue was $82 million. The live gate revenue for the event was $5,128,490 with an attendance of 10,871. A total of 11 MMA bouts were completed. Lesnar won against Mir by TKO in this 100th event of UFC held at Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Trends & Insights
Over the years, the UFC has undergone many changes in the way the fights are conducted and in other aspects also. Here are some of the outstanding trends and insights into UFC events:
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Results: In the earlier phases of UFC, submissions and grappling were the final deciding factor. But in recent times, doctor stoppages and knockouts feature more prominently. In 2017, for example, the knockouts and doctor stoppages were 146, while the fights ending with submission were 80 in number.
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Powerplay: Grappling and striking are the two most effective techniques that can turn the result in your favor. However, a greater number of fighters at the UFC events lean towards striking for a win. Amateurs are more focused on grappling as it provides an easier success route when compared to striking.
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Divisions: Many divisions exist in the UFC, such as middleweight, lightweight, featherweight, welterweight, and bantamweight. Of the various divisions, lightweight fighters are more popular due to fighters like McGregor and Nurmagomedov.
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Winning odds: Fighters with low odds have a better probability of winning. The fights are also over quickly. With an increase in the winning streak of a fighter, the odds even out, making them face stronger fighters.
UFC is a dynamic event that continues to undergo shifts in all aspects. Although striking end moves are popular among participants, it is important for a fighter to be well-rounded. Advanced training programs are also being introduced. These increase the power, strength, and fighting technique. Such approaches ensure protection from injury and aid in faster recovery.
Conclusion
From our analysis of the gross earnings of UFC, we can see that the company shows a powerful upward trajectory. Its revenue has risen to over $1.3 billion in 2024 from $424 million in 2010. The explosive growth is contributed to by media rights, sponsorships, live events, and more.
From being a niche sport, UFC has seen a global reach with its compelling fights that provide a high entertainment value. With its present popularity, it is expected to reach more milestones and garner wider appeal.
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