Why the UFC Will Not Strip Conor of Either Belt

[roundhouse]

This thread is an analysis of why the UFC will likely not strip Conor of either the LW or FW belt should he win the former in November. Of Course, should he lose to Alvarez, this whole conversation becomes mute. But proceeding from the idea that Conor does defeat Alvarez, lets us say by - oh, I don't know - first round KO, I'd like to look at the reasoning behind why the UFC would likely allow him to keep both.

Ultimately the reasoning is simple. Money. Looking at the PPV buys of fights headlined by a LW or FW attraction in recent years it is easy to see why the UFC would be wise, from a business standpoint, to allow Conor to keep and defend both belts for a time. Below I've posted the estimated PPV buys of all FW and LW headlined, or in one case coheadlined, PPVs dating back to 2012, courtesy of mmapayout. For purposes of comparison, I've excluded FW fights headlined by Conor and have included his fights in a separated category.

FW LW
01/14/2012 UFC 142 Aldo vs Mendes 215,000 02/26/2012 UFC 144 Edgar vs. Henderson 325,000
02/02/2013 UFC 156 Aldo vs Edgar 330,000 08/11/2012 UFC 150 Edgar vs. Henderson II 190,000
08/03/2013 UFC 163 Aldo vs Jung 180,000 08/31/2013 UFC 164 Henderson vs. Pettis 270,000
08/02/2014 UFC 176 Aldo vs Mendes II Canceled 12/06/2014 UFC 181 Hendricks vs. Lawler II 400,000
10/25/2014 UFC 179 Aldo vs Mendes II 180,000 03/14/2015 UFC 185 Pettis vs. Dos Anjos 310,000
Average over four events: 226,000 Average over five events: 299,000

Now let's take a look at Conor's numbers:
07/11/2015 UFC 189 McGregor vs Mendes 825,000
12/12/2015 UFC 194 Aldo vs McGregor 1,200,000
03/05/2016 UFC 196 McGregor vs Diaz 1,600,000
08/20/2016 UFC 202 McGregor v Diaz 2 1,650,000
Average over four events: 1,319,000

It is interesting to note here that Conor's numbers are trending upwards, while the FW and LW numbers show no trend in either direction. Conor's placement on the monumental NYC card will likely make his average PPV even higher. What is clear here is that it would take 4-5 PPVs headlined by a non-Mcgregor LW or FW to match a singe average PPV butyrate headlined by Conor. So, even if Conor holds both belts an alternates defenses the UFC would still be pulling in a huge net gain in each division versus what they would if they forced him to vacate a belt.

 

[myjohnson9]

I can break it down in one word... Money

 

[Tamriel Terror]

 

[melvinj0]

 

[chickenlip]

Conor will lose to Eddie so your title is incorrect, but we all know that hes a huge draw

 

[johnyboy]

He's not gunna go down to.45 ever again

 

[DeathByBeer]

Money is more important to the promotion than the actual fights....who would have figured?

....now figure out why that matters so much to Conors fans?

 

[Super Grover]

That is a lot of unnecessary words. You could have just said "because the UFC doesn't really care about titles"

 

[skylolow]

After New York it will all be sorted out win or lose.

At this point I think the UFC is just more less thinking its only 6 weeks or so. No reason to rock the boat at this point. After New York Conor will be pressured or the decision will be made for him.

 

[davisbe]

That is a lot of unnecessary words. You could have just said "because the UFC doesn't really care about titles"

Actually, the easiest answer is, "Because Dana White said he would."
As we all know, DW does the opposite of what he says.

 

[Shaddows]

This thread is an analysis of why the UFC will likely not strip Conor of either the LW or FW belt should he win the former in November. Of Course, should he lose to Alvarez, this whole conversation becomes mute. But proceeding from the idea that Conor does defeat Alvarez, lets us say by - oh, I don't know - first round KO, I'd like to look at the reasoning behind why the UFC would likely allow him to keep both.

Ultimately the reasoning is simple. Money. Looking at the PPV buys of fights headlined by a LW or FW attraction in recent years it is easy to see why the UFC would be wise, from a business standpoint, to allow Conor to keep and defend both belts for a time. Below I've posted the estimated PPV buys of all FW and LW headlined, or in one case coheadlined, PPVs dating back to 2012, courtesy of mmapayout. For purposes of comparison, I've excluded FW fights headlined by Conor and have included his fights in a separated category.

FW LW
01/14/2012 UFC 142 Aldo vs Mendes 215,000 02/26/2012 UFC 144 Edgar vs. Henderson 325,000
02/02/2013 UFC 156 Aldo vs Edgar 330,000 08/11/2012 UFC 150 Edgar vs. Henderson II 190,000
08/03/2013 UFC 163 Aldo vs Jung 180,000 08/31/2013 UFC 164 Henderson vs. Pettis 270,000
08/02/2014 UFC 176 Aldo vs Mendes II Canceled 12/06/2014 UFC 181 Hendricks vs. Lawler II 400,000
10/25/2014 UFC 179 Aldo vs Mendes II 180,000 03/14/2015 UFC 185 Pettis vs. Dos Anjos 310,000
Average over four events: 226,000 Average over five events: 299,000

Now let's take a look at Conor's numbers:
07/11/2015 UFC 189 McGregor vs Mendes 825,000
12/12/2015 UFC 194 Aldo vs McGregor 1,200,000
03/05/2016 UFC 196 McGregor vs Diaz 1,600,000
08/20/2016 UFC 202 McGregor v Diaz 2 1,650,000
Average over four events: 1,319,000

It is interesting to note here that Conor's numbers are trending upwards, while the FW and LW numbers show no trend in either direction. Conor's placement on the monumental NYC card will likely make his average PPV even higher. What is clear here is that it would take 4-5 PPVs headlined by a non-Mcgregor LW or FW to match a singe average PPV butyrate headlined by Conor. So, even if Conor holds both belts an alternates defenses the UFC would still be pulling in a huge net gain in each division versus what they would if they forced him to vacate a belt.

Problem with these comparisons is that you do not take into account the rest of the card.

Conor has not been on a shitty card. All his cards are stacked. So no wonder he has more viewers.

And this is not only Conor.

Ronda's events were also stacked with men's division title shots also.

And this is true for many of the fighters they claim to be a draw...

But you can only see the real draw when they get Main eventing on a truly shitty card. But by then, they hyped those fighters so much, that they CAN become a draw.

But you can only say for sure on those cards.

 

[The guest]

Because it's a full blown joke.

But cool your jets Billy. He's not getting that LW belt. He can carry that paper POS from the FuckeryW division.

With the world's biggest cuckery fanbase.

 

[Buff]

So you're saying that there's no money in stripping???

Bitches lie all the time.

 

[EXOICHO]

Problem with these comparisons is that you do not take into account the rest of the card.

Conor has not been on a shitty card. All his cards are stacked. So no wonder he has more viewers.

And this is not only Conor.

Ronda's events were also stacked with men's division title shots also.

And this is true for many of the fighters they claim to be a draw...

But you can only see the real draw when they get Main eventing on a truly shitty card. But by then, they hyped those fighters so much, that they CAN become a draw.

But you can only say for sure on those cards.

the average ppv buyer doesn't have any idea what a stacked card even looks like. they look at the main/co main and decide.

 

[Jorge Luis Borges]

Conor will lose to Eddie so your title is incorrect, but we all know that hes a huge draw

This is part of the equation a lot of folks are overlooking. Alvarez is no pushover.

 

[OverCoronavirus Pressure]

... Said the UFC about the legitimacy of their belts.
And nobody does anymore.

 

[chickenlip]

This is part of the equation a lot of folks are overlooking. Alvarez is no pushover.

People are so caught up in Conor's schtick to realize that this is an incredibly favorable match up for Eddie. Alvarez hasn't had an impressive UFC career thus far, but hes very well equipped to beat Conor.

 

[Shaddows]

the average ppv buyer doesn't have any idea what a stacked card even looks like. they look at the main/co main and decide.

Come on!!!
I disagree.

Do you think they don't know NY card is big?
Or that UFC 200 or 196 (I think it is this one, the one in Brazil).


IMHO if they do know a few names it would attract them much more than if they knew only 1 guys and had to pay 60 bucks to see him fight someone you don't know.

 

[El Fernas]

Highly doubt he defends both belts if he beats Eddie, they just want the "2 weight class champ" title, first in history, bla bla bla.

 

[EXOICHO]

Come on!!!
I disagree.

Do you think they don't know NY card is big?
Or that UFC 200 or 196 (I think it is this one, the one in Brazil).


IMHO if they do know a few names it would attract them much more than if they knew only 1 guys and had to pay 60 bucks to see him fight someone you don't know.

the thing is, you're talking about seeing a few names they know.

Not that many casuals know who joanna is, or who Romero is, other than he's that guy that said no forget jesus

I talk to a lot of casuals, and the only fights they ever actually come to my house to watch are McGregor, GSP, Ronda, or Jones.