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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
UFC 249 was a risk, but yesterday I argued it was a success based on the high-quality of the event. One of the main selling points of holding the event was the idea that in this sports-deprived time, a huge number of fans would willingly fork over their cash and purchase the pay-per-view (PPV). However, others argued that financial struggles and growing unemployment could sabotage the $65 purchase.
As it turns out, UFC 249 sold remarkably well per Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand, proving it a financial success.
Sources tell me that ESPN+ logged north of 700,000 buys – a good result for Saturday’s UFC 249 PPV, according to early numbers. SBJ Media is live: https://t.co/BECw4DrHhe
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) May 11, 2020
Since the switch to ESPN+, it has been more difficult to measure PPV buys, where were a murky estimate even before that transition. For example, Conor McGregor’s return at UFC 246 indicated an “equivalent” to two million buys, only for the actual number to be revealed at about half of that.
For a non-McGregor event though? 700,000 is an extremely strong number, particularly when neither Justin Gaethje nor Tony Ferguson are proven draws. To provide additional context, Dana White revealed that UFC 249 greatly outdrew UFC 248, an event which was headlined by one of the sport’s newest would-be superstars in Israel Adesanya.
An extra benefit: lots of fans saw Gaethje put on the performance of a lifetime against Ferguson, which could lead to another surge in buys when he squares off with Khabib Nurmagomedov later in the year.
Insomnia
Full disclosure: I cannot figure out if this is the real Keith Peterson tweeting or not. It’s an unverified account, but all it’s done for ages is retweet stuff about being an MMA referee. I also saw a comment from Jon Anik that he doesn’t know if Peterson owns a cell phone.
It’s hilarious either way.
Me in the morning after a night of drinking and smoking pic.twitter.com/MP4N2HWYhV
— Keith Peterson (@KPetersonMMA) May 11, 2020
An ancient martial art simplified:
Henry Cejudo may be retired (MAY!), but the cringe don’t stop!
The legacy rampage is finished! Sincerely The Greatest Combat Athlete of all time – Triple C #bendtheknee pic.twitter.com/NtAMylkfRd
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) May 11, 2020
I nearly wrote my “Morning After” post on Tony Ferguson’s legacy, and how he deserves be remembered as a champion regardless of the specifics. “El Cucuy” forever!
How crazy is this. Tony Ferguson didn’t lose a fight during Henry Cejudo’s entire MMA career. Wild.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 10, 2020
In a true shocker, Georges St. Pierre reacted with class to his Hall of Fame introduction announcement.
It’s a great honour to be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame. I want to thank Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta, Dana White, the UFC team, my family, coaches, teammates, sponsors & all other collaborators, my opponents & my fans. This amazing journey wouldn’t have been possible without you. https://t.co/b6Mc7B1Sxb
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) May 10, 2020
Even Mike Tyson was impressed by Francis Ngannou’s ability to make heads fly!
Resounding … vicious …. future champ. #FrancesNyngonu 20 second knockout 2nite #UFC249
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) May 10, 2020
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I saved this clip before I saw the allegations.
hello here is cro cop knocking out alberto del rio for your viewing pleasure pic.twitter.com/Y9PLSn8rFG
— Pool (@ZePoolio) May 10, 2020
It’s always wild when a fighter just decides not to tap to an arm bar.
Mergen Orazmyradov TKO’s Sergey Vladislav. Surprised he survived the armbar #RoadToVictory
Note: this promotion has no association with ACB/ACA pic.twitter.com/immvdGPBX3
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 9, 2020
Triangle choke to armbar is among the first submission transitions jiu-jitsu teaches, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective!
Rustam Dzhaychiev submits Igor Kindruk via 1st round armbar #RoadToVictory pic.twitter.com/pj5l6OGVfH
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 9, 2020
Random Land
Legends.
Betty White been with the shits. pic.twitter.com/RRFuS5I5Eb
— Dr. Dolittles Daughter (@TallGlassofStyL) May 10, 2020
Midnight Music: I don’t know when the next Frank Ocean album will release (it could be another four years!) or what it will sound like, but I remain ever excited for it.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.