Will September 16 2023 be the last time?

[EndlessCritic]

I'm talking about UFC title fights on non-PPV cards.

September 6, 2023 had Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 on a non-PPV, which was the last non-PPV title fight by my count.

One of the great things about the UFC on Fox era was a lot of title fights on non-PPV cards, which has almost completely stopped in the last couple of years.

2025 and 2024 to date have had zero title fights on non-PPV cards.

2021 had zero

2020 gave us Figueredo vs Benavidez 1 and 2, both of which were on non-PPV cards.

How long will it be until the UFC gives us another title fight on a non-PPV?

 

[Nihongi]

Probably never again. I miss the 2010’s eras where we had DJ defending the flyweight title on the Fox free cards. Also had that really good free card in Boston headlined by Cruz vs Dillashaw. Think that business model is a thing of the past though

 

[SamuraiBro]

Eddie vs RDA for LW title was on a free card wasn’t it?

 

[volcom5]

It’ll happened again when a newly crown champion is someone with minimal popularity vs an opponent with similar pop. It’s going to be due to circumstances.

Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 not being a PPV was just due to circumstances, Sept 16 is usually when Saul Alvarez fights, thst year T-Mobile was already booked by the UFC, essentially they made it free so Mexican fans so they have something to watch on Independence Day, which would bring more views being free and also to able use their money for PPV on the Alvarez bout instead.

At least that’s what I think occurred, I seem vaguely remember Dana mentioning it to a degree.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Last time I actually paid for an event was Diaz v McGregor 1, so it really doesn't matter for me

 

[Gabe]

Weill Zhang is always available

 

[chinarice]

I wouldn't be surprised if UFC eventually goes to Netflix and the price of Netflix goes up again

 

[FriskyRandy]

Let WMMA title fights go on the free cards. Most people don't want to pay to see WMMA.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Even the fucking BMF is a PPV only title

 

[jeskola]

UFC on Netflix 1 will have at least one title fight.

 

[laleggenda27]

The UFC's next broadcast contract will determine a lot. It's entirely plausible that the current ppv model won't be around much longer.

In any event, I remember being super pumped when UFC 75 was on Spike (Rampage-Hendo title unification).

 

[witt1021]

The UFC's next broadcast contract will determine a lot. It's entirely plausible that the current ppv model won't be around much longer.

In any event, I remember being super pumped when UFC 75 was on Spike (Rampage-Hendo title unification).

Spike TV. what an era for MMA. priceless. we are lucky to have lived it.

 

[laleggenda27]

Spike TV. what an era for MMA. priceless. we are lucky to have lived it.

Let's not forget WEC on Versus. For whatever reason, I always liked the production of those cards better than UFC cards. And I still maintain that Todd Harris and Frank Mir might be the best commentating team I've seen.

 

[sonhow]

Probably sooner than later if the ppv model is going away as some have predicted.

Who knows how much they pull these days. My guess is not that much.

 

[MMAProfessional]

Probably never again. I miss the 2010’s eras where we had DJ defending the flyweight title on the Fox free cards. Also had that really good free card in Boston headlined by Cruz vs Dillashaw. Think that business model is a thing of the past though

If they ever make a new division I could see that being a thing too. Not sure what division that would be though. I don't see them making another mens division (if they did would likely be 165) but maybe if they opened an women's Atom weight they would put the title fights for free for a while to establish it better.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

It'll happen again.

 

[EndlessCritic]

Eddie vs RDA for LW title was on a free card wasn’t it?

Yes. That was 9 years ago. The UFC gave us tons of free title fights in the 2010s:

Cain vs JDS
RDA vs Cerrone
Johnson vs Cruz
Bendo vs Diaz
Bendo vs Melendez
Cruz vs Dillashaw

etc. etc. etc.

The point of this thread is to say we used to get them all the time, but that the last one was in September 2023.

 

[EndlessCritic]

In any event, I remember being super pumped when UFC 75 was on Spike (Rampage-Hendo title unification).

I can't tell if this is a joke. UFC 75 was aired in North America via tape delay, which was completely ridiculous.

 

[blunttruth]

The UFC's next broadcast contract will determine a lot. It's entirely plausible that the current ppv model won't be around much longer.

In any event, I remember being super pumped when UFC 75 was on Spike (Rampage-Hendo title unification).

I agree that it is all going to depend upon the next UFC broadcast deal, so we will all find out soon enough.

 

[EndlessCritic]

I wouldn't be surprised if UFC eventually goes to Netflix and the price of Netflix goes up again

UFC on Netflix could be amazing.