Was 2015 the beginning of a new golden era in MMA? (stats inside)

[DatSamboKid]

PPV buys history UFC 183-196.

01/31/2015 UFC 183 Silva vs Diaz: 650,000
02/28/2015 UFC 184 Rousey vs Zingano: 600,000
03/14/2015 UFC 185 Pettis vs Dos Anjos: 310,000
04/25/2015 UFC 186 Johnson vs Horiguchi: 125,000
05/23/2015 UFC 187 Johnson vs Cormier: 375,000
06/13/2015 UFC 188 Velasquez vs Werdum: 300,000
07/11/2015 UFC 189 McGregor vs Mendes: 825,000
08/01/2015 UFC 190 Rousey vs Correia: 900,000
09/05/2015 UFC 191 Johnson vs Dodson II: 115,000
10/03/2015 UFC 192 Cormier vs Gustafsson: 250,000
11/15/2015 UFC 193 Rousey vs Holm: 1,100,000
12/12/2015 UFC 194 Aldo vs McGregor: 1,200,000
01/02/2016 UFC 195 Lawler vs Condit: 300,000
03/05/2016 UFC 196 McGregor vs Diaz: 1,500,000

610,714 PPV buys was the average between UFC 183- UFC 196.
641,071 PPV buys '' '' UFC 111- UFC 126.(UFC 120/122, non-PPV)
672,275 PPV buys '' '' UFC 91-UFC 106. (UFC 105, non-PVP)

585,725 PPV buys was the average in 2015.
583,333 PPV buys '' '' in 2006.
616,875 PPV buys '' '' in 2007.
545,545 PPV buys '' '' in 2008.
635,357 PPV buys '' '' in 2009.


With the new rise (and fall) of new superstars like McGregor and Ronda Rousey, the MMA scene is back in flames.

2015 has second highest PPV average behind 2007.UFC 183-UFC 196 is also the third highest 14 consecutive event average.

With UFC 197,198,199 and the ultimate 200. 2016 will be the year the UFC will break the records set by the legends of the 2006-2010 era.

Is this rise going to be short and sweet? Or are we witnessing the beginning of something much larger.

 

[Weuylf]

Depends on how Conor does in the future

 

[LilNubi]

Interesting numbers. I guess it really depends on how the money makers can fair in the new year. If McGregor can retain his title and challenge at 155 then his numbers will stay golden. Tate/Rousey will sell, but you will see a decline on her PPV sells after her rematch win or lose. Cormier/Jones should pull in a nice chunk of change with at least 500k buys. UFC 200 could pull in over a million buys depending on the card which will heavily tilt the average. A lot of variables, especially with GSP's imminent return.

 

[MadmanMMA]

Might be on the rise in the long term if the UFC starts taking itself more seriously and gives up on goofy shit like CM Punk joining them with 0-0 record and gifting title fights to those who don't really deserve it etc.

 

[Forever Young]

Lawler/MacDonald, Jones/Cormier I, the rise of Kings MMA, Fall of Ronda, Return of Anderson Silva, obviously, the MacGreggor machine, yeah, there was a lot of awesome and crazy shit that happened in 2015. It was a great year for MMA. This is becoming cyclical, in a way, with 2007, 2011, and now 2015 all being the wildest years in recent memory.

Fucking stop worrying about PPV numbers or how many casual fans are watching it though. Jesus christ you stupid shits, just watch the fucking fights and enjoy it. What the fuck is wrong with you?

 

[IMSAYIN]

It was the beginning of the ultimate casual era. Half those ppl aren't coming back for Ronda, or Conor anymore. They lost it all. They could still draw nice numbers. As i'm sure Conor vs Edgar will do. But, after that loss he is all but done as a draw. What, are ppl still gonna be clinging to his sack ? I can't see it. The psychology behind it is clear. Huggers think... I can go borderline homo over a guy that is doing what Conor once was. But, I ain't going full cock smoker for a fucking bum that loses to Nate, and Edgar in succession.

By the time 2017 rolls around. Ronda will have likely made a return. Win, or lose she lost everything at 193. You can't regain once ever status after a loss, and reaction to the loss like that.

In 2017 numbers will decline unless someone like a Wonderboy, or Joanna get the full promotion of the UFC money machine. And keep winning of course. And both have tough tests next fight.

IMO, totally not a golden era, and a time I'd like to forget.

 

[OmegaRugal]

Having Conor, Rousey fight often and having Silva PPV vs Diaz definitely helped.

Not sure if that will last now that Silva, Conor and Rousey would all be coming off of loses and we don't know when Rousey will return.

 

[CoolKnees]

If you look closely, you'll see that its basically all Rousey and McGregor.

 

[Forever Young]

While we're at it, let's just admire the cool shit that did go down in 2015. Cro Cop beating Gonzaga was epic. Edgar/Faber was so many years in the making, I'm so fucking glad about it. The rise of Rockhold and Romero at middleweight. Dillashaw's dominance of Barao, Mighty Mouse's dominance of everything. Arlovski's resurgence. Epic KO's from Almeida, Holm, etc. Epic submissions from Werdum, Palhares, etc. Shit yeah, man. 2015 was an awesome year.

I just don't give a fuck if a million casuals tuned in or not, and neither should you

 

[Sparkie]

interesting read
thanks TS

things are looking up as long as they can avoid too many injuries to main event fighters

 

[NotoriousJoker]

If you look closely, you'll see that its basically all Rousey and McGregor.

Yep, unless you are a record setting female that beats some ass, a smooth talkin KO artist who predicts the future or a GOAT...your numbers are going to be around 300k or less...
....Also you'll notice that almost all the low ppv number fights don't have any pre-fight tension. That's what Conor and even Rousey create, they usually have some beef that gets people emotionally invested one way or another. Look back at Ortiz vs. Shamrock, that sold well for the time, it was the first big UFC PPV...Liddell vs. Ortiz did well too because that pre-fight tension brings eyeballs to the screen. Give the fans a reason to watch the fight, make it known that you intend to put up a great fight and you'll reap the rewards.

 

[dhole]

It was the beginning of the ultimate casual era. Half those ppl aren't coming back for Ronda, or Conor anymore. They lost it all. They could still draw nice numbers. As i'm sure Conor vs Edgar will do. But, after that loss he is all but done as a draw. What, are ppl still gonna be clinging to his sack ? I can't see it. The psychology behind it is clear. Huggers think... I can go borderline homo over a guy that is doing what Conor once was. But, I ain't going full cock smoker for a fucking bum that loses to Nate, and Edgar in succession.

By the time 2017 rolls around. Ronda will have likely made a return. Win, or lose she lost everything at 193. You can't regain once ever status after a loss, and reaction to the loss like that.

In 2017 numbers will decline unless someone like a Wonderboy, or Joanna get the full promotion of the UFC money machine. And keep winning of course. And both have tough tests next fight.

IMO, totally not a golden era, and a time I'd like to forget.

GSP lost & it didn't slow his rise to stardom. Silva lost and still became a superstar. Brock lost and it didn't hurt his pulling power.
What if Ronda comes back, takes the belt from tate & then submits holly in round 1? Try and tell me she wont still be a fucking superstar.
What if McGregor goes on to beat edgar, aldo & RDA for LW belt...
You cant predict what will happen, who will lose draw power. History has shown that a loss doesn't always equal an end to anything.

 

[DatSamboKid]

If you look closely, you'll see that its basically all Rousey and McGregor.

Holy shit you're right..

 

[Fullmount Triangle]

no? Rousey's gone and McGregor's ability to draw post loss and without a media circus is unproven. The Diaz fight was a perfect storm of memes and marketability and drama. A golden era lasts a while, it doesn't last one year. It was a good year for the UFC, but it's not like the ship is still a rollin

 

[ChildoftheCorn]

Cool data. I enjoyed looking it over and it's interesting. But comparing 2015 to 2006-2009 wasn't showing me an increase but rather a fluctuation from year to year. For instance, 2015 looks more like 06 and 08, which were lower than 07 and 09. Cool stuff tho, fun to look at numbers over time.