Top 20 UFC Pay-Per-View Events
The UFC PPV (pay-per-view) has become a Saturday night tradition for many MMA fans across the globe, although numbers have been on a clear down swing over recent years. The promotion is once again knocking on the door of a million buys with some solid numbers in 2015, but they still pale in comparison to the biggest ever selling UFC events. Perhaps over saturation, or the rise in the cost of a single PPV event has impacted on buy rates.
With much of the UFC’s revenue coming from the pay-per-views, although the Fight Pass network and a new-found global expansion in to merchandising now supplements that income, the promotion doesn’t hold back when their marquee stars gather for a big event.
All stats in the following list are current as of September 7, 2015, and will be updated whenever a new UFC event places on the top 20. Without further ado, we’ve compiled the Top 20 UFC PPV Events for your consumption, enjoy!
20. UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
PPV Buys: 725,000
Fight card & results:
Anderson Silva defeats Vitor Belfort via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Forrest Griffin defeats Rich Franklin via Unanimous Decision
Jake Ellenberger defeats Carlos Eduardo Rocha via Split Decision
Jon Jones defeats Ryan Bader via Submission (Guillotine Choke) Round 2
Miguel Torres defeats Antonio Banuelos via Unanimous Decision
Donald Cerrone def. Paul Kelly via submission (rear naked choke) in Round 2
Demetrious Johnson def. Norifumi Yamamoto via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Paul Taylor def. Gabe Ruediger via TKO in Round 2
Mike Pierce def. Kenny Robertson via TKO in Round 2
Chad Mendes def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kyle Kingsbury def. Ricardo Romero via TKO in Round 1
19. UFC 79: Nemesis
PPV Buys: 750,000
Eddie Sanchez defeats Soa Palalei via TKO (Strikes) Round 3
Lyoto Machida defeats Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via Arm Triangle Choke Round 2
Rich Clementi defeats Melvin Guillard via Rear Naked Choke Round 1
James Irvin defeats Luis Cane via disqualification (illegal knee)
Manny Gamburyan defeats Nate Mohr via submission (heal hook) in round one
Dean Lister defeats Jordan Radev via unanimous decision
Roan Carneiro defeated Tony DeSouza via technical knockout (strikes) in round two
Mark Bocek defeats Doug Evans via unanimous decision
18. UFC 61: Bitter Rivals
PPV Buys: 770,000
Josh Burkman def. Josh Neer via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds.
Tim Sylvia def. Andrei Arlovski via Unanimous Decision after 5 Rounds.
Cheick Kongo def. Gilbert Aldana via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:13 of Round 1.
Jeff Monson def. Anthony Perosh via TKO (strikes) at 2:22 of Round 1.
Hermes Franca def. Joe Jordan via Submission (triangle choke) at 0:47 of Round 3.
Joe Stevenson def. Yves Edwards via TKO (doctor stoppage) after Round 2.
17. UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
Gate: $3,700,000
Fight card & results:
Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – light heavyweight championship
Donald Cerrone def. Myles Jury via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Brad Tavares def. Nate Marquardt via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Louis Gaudinot via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Hector Lombard def. Josh Burkman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Paul Felder def. Danny Castillo via Knockout (Spinning Back Fist) at 2:09 of Round2
Marcus Brimage vs. Cody Garbrandt
Shawn Jordan def. Jared Cannonier via Knockout (Punches) at 2:57 of Round 1
Evan Dunham def. Rodrigo Damm via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Omari Akhmedov def. Mats Nilsson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marion Reneau def. Alexis Dufresne via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
15.-Tied UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields
PPV Buys: 800,000
170 lbs.: Georges St. Pierre defeats Jake Shields via Unanimous Decision
145 lbs.: Jose Aldo defeats Mark Hominick via Unanimous Decision
205 lbs.: Lyoto Machida defeats Randy Coture via TKO (Jumping Front Kick) Round 2
205 lbs.: Vladimir Matyushenko defeats Jason Brilz via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
155 lbs.: Ben Henderson defeats Mark Bocek via Unanimous Decision
170 lbs.: Rory MacDonald defeats Nate Diaz via Unanimous Decision
170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger defeats Sean Pierson via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
185 lbs.: Jason MacDonald def. Ryan Jensen via submission (triangle) in round 1
135 lbs.: Ivan Menjivar def. Charlie Valencia via knockout (strikes) in round 1
155 lbs.: John Makdessi def. Kyle Watson via knockout (spinning back fist) in round 3
170 lbs.: Claude Patrick def. Daniel Roberts via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Pablo Garza def. Yves Jabouin via submission (flying triangle) in round 1
15.-Tied UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2
PPV Buys: 800,000
Stefan Struve defeats Sean McCorkle via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Mac Danzig defeats Joe Stevenson via KO (Strikes) Round 1
Thiago Alves defeats John Howard via Unanimous Decision
Jim Miller defeats Charles Oliveira via Submission (Kneebar) Round 1
Dan Miller def. Joe Doerksen via Split Decision
Mark Bocek def. Dustin Hazelett via submission (triangle) in round 1
Sean Pierson def. Matt Riddle via Unanimous Decision
John Makdessi def. Pat Audinwood via Unanimous Decision
Jesse Bongfeldt and Rafael Natal fight to a draw
Ricardo Almeida def. T.J. Grant via Unanimous Decision
14. UFC 189: McGregor vs. Mendes
PPV Buys: 825,000
Fight card & results:
Conor McGregor def. Chad Mendes via TKO (Punches) at 4:57 of Round 2 – Interim Featherweight Championship
Robbie Lawler def. Rory MacDonald via TKO (Punches) at 1:00 of Round 4 – Welterweight Championship
Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez via TKO (Flying Knee/Punches) at 0:32 of Round 3
Gunnar Nelson def. Brandon Thatch via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:54 of Round 1
Thomas Almeida def. Brad Pickett via Knockout (Flying Knee) at 0:29 of Round 2
Matt Brown def. Tim Means via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:44 of Round 1
Alex Garcia def. Mike Swick via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
John Howard def. Cathal Pendred via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Cody Garbrandt def. Henry Briones via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Louis Smolka def. Neil Seery via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Pfister def. Yosdenis Cedeno via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
12.-Tied UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy
PPV Buys: 850,000
Shane Carwin defeats Frank Mir via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Jon Fitch defeats Ben Saunders via Unanimous Decision
Kurt Pellegrino defeats Fabricio Camoes via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2
Jim Miller defeats Mark Bocek via Unanimous Decision
Nate Diaz defeats Rory Markham via TKO (strikes) Round 1
Ricardo Almeida defeats Matt Brown via submission (rear naked choke) Round 2
Jared Hamman defeats Rodney Wallace via unanimous decision
Rousimar Palhares defeats Tomasz Drwal via submission (heel hook) Round 1
Matt Riddle defeats Greg Soto via disqualification (illegal upkick) Round 3
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12.-Tied UFC 101: Declaration
PPV Buys: 850,000
11. UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia
PPV Buys: Upwards of 900,000
August 1, 2015
HSBC Arena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Attendance: 14,723
Gate: Not released
Fight card & results:
Ronda Rousey def. Bethe Correia via KO at 0:34 of Rd 1.
Mauricio Rua def. Antonio Rogerio Nogueria via unanimous decision (29-28×3).
Glaico Franca def. Fernando Bruno by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:46 of Rd 3.
Reginaldo Vieira def. Dileno Lopes by unanimous decision (29-28 x 2, 30-27).
Stefan Struve def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira via unanimous decision (30-27×3).
Antonio Silva def. Soa Palelei via TKO (punches) at 0:41 of Rd 2.
Claudia Gadelha def. Jessica Aguilar via unanimous decision (30-27×3).
Demian Maia def. Neil Magny via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:52 of Rd 2.
Pat Cummins def. Rafael Cavalcante via TKO (elbows) at 0:43 of Rd 3.
Warlley Alves def. Nordine Taleb via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:11 of Rd 2.
Iuri Alcantara def. Leandro Issa via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 29-27).
Vitor Miranda def. Clint Hester via TKO (elbows & punches) at 2:38 of Rd 2.
Guido Cannetti def. Hugo Viana via unanimous decision (29-28×3).
10. UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2
PPV Buys: 920,000
Lyoto Machida defeats Thiago Silva via knockout (punch) at 4:59 of round one
Jon Jones defeats Stephan Bonnar via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Clay Guida defeats Nate Diaz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Karo Parisyan defeats Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim via split decision (29-28, 29-8, 28-29)
Jon Fitch defeats Akihiro Gono via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
Thiago Tavares defeats Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
John Howard defeats Chris Wilson via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Jake O’Brien defeats Christian Wellisch via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Daniel Cramer defeats Matt “No Regard” Arroyo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
8.-Tied UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen 2
PPV Buys: 1,000,000
Anderson Silva defeated Chael Sonnen by TKO (Ref Stoppage, 2nd Round, 1:55)
Forrest Griffin defeated Tito Ortiz by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cung Le defeated Patrick Cote by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Demian Maia defeated Dong Hyun Kim by TKO (Injury Stoppage, 1st Round, 0:47)
Chad Mendes defeated Cody MacKenzie by TKO (Ref Stoppage, 1st Round, 0:31)
Mike Easton defeated Ivan Menjivar by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Melvin Guillard defeated Fabricio Camoes by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Gleison Tibau by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Constantinos Philippou defeated Riki Fukuda by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Shane Roller defeated John Alessio by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rafaello Oliveira defeated Yoislandy Izquierdo by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
8.-Tied UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008
PPV Buys: 1,000,000
Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by TKO at 1:54, Round 2
Rashad Evans def. Forrest Griffin by TKO at 2:46, Round 3
Patrick Barry def. Dan Evensen via (injury) TKO at 2:36, Round 1
Brad Blackburn def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision
Matt Hamill def. Reese Andy via TKO at 2:19, Round 2.
Antoni Hardonk def. Mike Wessel via TKO at 2:09, Round 2
Yushin Okami def. Dean Lister via unanimous decision
Cheick Kongo def. Mustapha Al-Turk by TKO (strikes) at 4:37, Round 1
Quinton Jackson def. Wanderlei Silva by KO at 3:21, Round 1
C.B. Dollaway def. Mike Massenzio by TKO at 3:01, Round 1
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7. UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar
PPV Buys: 1,010,000
Kenny Florian defeats Joe Stevenson via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1
Dustin Hazelett defeats Tamden McCrory via Submission (Armbar) Round 1
Gabriel Gonzaga defeats Josh Hendricks via TKO (Strikes) Round 1
Demian Maia defeats Nate Quarry via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1
Aaron Riley defeats Jorge Gurgel via unanimous decision
Jeremy Stephens defeats Rafael dos Anjos via knockout in round three
Mark Bocek defeats Alvin Robinson via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 3
Matt Brown defeats Ryan Thomas via Submission (Armbar) Round 2
5.-Tied UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2
PPV Buys: 1,050,000
Liddell wins by technical knockout at 3:57 of round three.
Wellisch wins by unanimous decision 29-28 (x2) and 29-27.
Okami wins by submission (strikes) at 4:03 of round three.
Gonzaga wins by submission (armbar) at 3:22 of round one.
Alves wins by knockout at 1:10 of round two.
Arlovski wins by knockout at 3:15 of round one.Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben
MacDonald wins by submission from a modified guillotine choke at 4:03 of round two.Light Heavyweight bout: Forrest Griffin vs. Keith Jardine
Jardine wins by TKO at 4:41 of round one.
5.-Tied UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez
PPV Buy: 1,050,000
Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann via split decision
Diego Sanchez def. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision
Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision
Brendan Schaub def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision
Tom Lawlor def. Patrick Côté via unanimous decision
Daniel Roberts def. Mike Guymon via submission (anaconda choke)
Sam Stout def. Paul Taylor via split decision
Chris Camozzi def. Dong Yi Yang via split decision
Jon Madsen def. Gilbert Yvel via first-round TKO
3.-Tied UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2
Gate: $6,238,792.50
Ronda Rousey def. Miesha Tate via armbar
Travis Browne def. Josh Barnett via knockout
Jim Miller def. Fabricio Camoes via submission
Dustin Poirier def. Diego Brandao via knockout
Uriah Hall def. Chris Leben via TKO
Michael Johnson def. Gleison Tibau via knockout
Dennis Siver def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision
John Howard def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision
William Macario def. Bobby Voelker via unanimous decision
Robbie Peralta def. Estevan Payan via knockout
3.-Tied UFC 158: St-Pierre vs. Diaz
PPV Buys: 1,100,000
Gate: $3,710,000
Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks Hendricks wins via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt Ellenberger wins via knockout at 3:00 of round one
Chris Camozzi vs. Nick Ring Chris Camozzi wins via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
Colin Fletcher vs. Mike Ricci Ricci wins via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Patrick Cote vs. Bobby Voelker Cote wins via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Antonio Carvalho vs. Darren Elkins Elkins wins via TKO at 3:06 of round one
Jordan Mein vs. Dan Miller Mein wins via TKO at 4:42 of round one
Daron Cruickshank vs. John Makdessi Makdessi wins via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Quinn Mulhern vs. Rick Story Story wins via TKO at 3:05 of round one
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Issei Tamura Dillashaw wins via knockout at 0:26 of round two
Reuben Duran vs. George Roop Roop wins via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
2. UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin
PPV Buys: 1,116,000
Fight card & results:
Brock Lesnar defeats Shane Carwin via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) Round 2
Chris Leben defeats Yoshihiro Akiyama via Submission (Triangle Choke) Round 3
Chris Lytle defeats Matt Brown via Submission (Armbar via Triangle Mount) Round 2
George Sotiropoulos defeats Kurt Pellegrino via Unanimous Decision
Stephan Bonnar defeats Krzysztof Soszynski via TKO (Strikes) Round 2
Brendan Schaub defeats Chris Tuchscherer via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Ricardo Romero defeats Seth Petruzelli via submission (Americana) in round two
Gerald Harris defeats Dave Branch via knockout (slam) in round three
Jon Madsen defeats Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision
Kendall Grove defeats Goran Reljic via split decision
Daniel Roberts defeats Forrest Petz via split decision
1. UFC 100: Lesnar vs. Mir
PPV buys: 1,600,000
July 21, 2009
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 10,871
Gate: $5,128,490
Fight card & results:
Brock Lesnar defeats Frank Mir via TKO (Strikes) in Round Two
Georges St. Pierre defeats Thiago Alves via Unanimous Decision
Jon Fitch defeats Paulo Thiago via Unanimous Decision
Dan Henderson defeats Michael Bisping via Knockout in Round Two
Yoshihiro Akiyama defeats Alan Belcher via Split Decision
Mark Coleman defeats Stephan Bonnar via Unanimous Decision
Jon Jones defeats Jake O’Brien via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in Round Two
Dong Hyun Kim defeats TJ Grant via Unanimous Decision
Jim Miller defeats Mac Danzig via Unanimous Decision
Tom Lawlor defeats CB Dolloway via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in Round One
Shannon Gugerty defeats Matt Grice via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in Round One
Credits and obligatory MMA funny video on the next page
Credits and funny video
All stats sourced from Wikipedia, Dave Meltzer, MMA Manifesto, Bleacher Report, Inquisitr, MMAMania, Bloody Elbow, MMAFighting, MMAJunkie, Google. The UFC does not release official PPV numbers.
