I’m a little disappointed that the UFC didn’t scramble to rejuvenate this card with a few nice filler bouts. Maynard vs. Edgar was scratched. Thiago Silva was rumored to fail a drug test and was bounced from facing Rampage. In addition, at least three more fighters had to withdraw due to injury. If I copped tickets to see this event in a few months ago I would be pissed right about now. The main card has the looks of a free Spike show.
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The following is a brief breakdown of how well the UFC and HBO Boxing did in 2007 by way of PPV numbers. Obviously the popularity of both sports runs deeper than simply pay-per-view figures. I couldn’t locate a list of HBO numbers as far as each event went, but you have to take into account that De La Hoya and Mayweather are probably responsible for a majority of the PPV buys. Similarly, Rampage and Chuck had a lot to do with boosting the UFC numbers. The UFC events combined for 4,885,000 views totaling $194.5 million. UFC 70 & 75 were SPIKE events. Boxing did 4,795,000 PPV’s for $239.75.
UFC 67 – Silva v. Lutter – 400,000
UFC 68 – Slyvia v. Couture – 540,000
UFC 69 – St. Pierre v. Serra – 400,000
UFC 71 – Liddell v. Jackson II – 675,000
UFC 72 – Franklin v. Okami – 200,000
UFC 73 – Ortiz v. Evans – 425,000
UFC 74 – Couture v. Gonzaga – 520,000
UFC 76 – Liddell v. Jardine – 475,000
UFC 77 – Franklin v. Silva II – 325,000
UFC 78 – Evans v. Bisbing – 325,000
UFC 79 – Liddell v. Silva – 600,000
HBO Boxing – 4,795,000 (total) among main events including:
Mayweather v. Hatton
Cotto v. Mosley
Pacquiao v. Barrera
Hopkins v. Wright
De La Hoya v. Mayweather
Cotto v. Judah
Zab Judah and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson square off. But not like you think…the two briefly discuss the tired topic of boxing versus MMA. It’s nice to finally see two great fighters sit down and shoot the shit with no hard feelings regarding the debate between the two sports. Click here to checkout the video. Both Zab and Rampage are set for their next bouts taking place next week. Zab begins his comeback trail Friday September 7th on ESPN Friday Night Fights, while Rampage makes his first title defense against Dan Henderson September 8th at UFC 75.
