Quote Originally Posted by boozeboxer View Post

Why does boxing still have a stronghold then on PPV sales? Because the people that like MMA don't have the money to plop down 50 on a fight. Demographically, by the numbers I think they are young uneducated people.

The MMA people are trying to figure out a way to get more of this money, but they are competing with landlords, tattoo shops, and value meals.
Top 10 PPV buy rates, 2009

1. UFC 100: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir, July 11, 1.6 million

2. Boxing: Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto, Nov. 14, 1.25 million

3. Boxing: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, Sept. 19, 1.05 millon

4. UFC 94: Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn, Jan. 31, 920,000 buys

5. UFC 101: Penn vs. Kenny Florian/Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin, Aug. 8, 850,000

6. Boxing: Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton, May 2, 825,000

7t. UFC 107: Penn vs. Diego Sanchez, Dec. 12, 650,000

7t. UFC 97: Silva vs. Thales Leites/Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua, April 18, 650,000

9. UFC 98: Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans/Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra, May 23, 635,000

10. Wrestling: WWE WrestleMania 25, April 5, 582,000 buys



Pac vs. Mayweather would outsell anything the UFC puts together, but the UFC is putting up consistent solid PPV numbers.

That said, that is 'UFC' _not_ MMA. MMA events by other promoters featuring top fighters haven't pulled anywhere near these numbers.

I don't think its that boxing is losing popularity to MMA so much as it is that the single promoter 'brand name' model is a lot easier to sell to casual fans. There are things to like and dislike, but its easier for casual fans to simply say 'oh, its UFC'. Much like people can be a casual fan of the NFL, the NBA, NASCAR while only knowing a few participants. People who like MMA can easily watch UFC ppvs, which promote following UFC PPVs, and showcase on the card up and coming UFC sponsored fighters who may be fighting in future title bouts, etc. By contrast, one of my co-workers likes boxing, started taking lessons, his favourite fighter is PWill and I have to let him know when he's fighting because he wouldn't know otherwise.

Being aware of up and coming boxers takes considerable effort relative to learning about up and coming MMA fighters.