Last year was a banner year for Dana White and the UFC.
They hosted their biggest show to date at UFC 129, acquired Strikeforce, bolstered their weak heavyweight division and landed a long term deal with FOX. How could things get better?
Easily.
An astronomical 8.8 million viewers were tuned in to the UFC on Fox debut, pitting Cain Velasquez against Junior Dos Santos. That’s eight times the best buy-rate any pay-per-view has ever done.
Now the general public is growing to know more about MMA than they ever have. It’s on broadcast television where everyone can see it.
What is even better for the UFC is now there are more people who want to see it.
By putting on a teaser show and having a short fight on television, the UFC has started to pique people’s curiosity. Those who never watched the sport before are curious to see what it has to offer, and those who liked what they saw will be want to see more and invest in the more regular pay-per-views.
Not to mention all the people who will stumble across the two-hour broadcast. A longer show brings with it the opportunity for more people to flip on the television, find a fight and stick with it.
White and co. are playing their cards very well with the new Fox deal and it will certainly pay off. More people can view their product, and with each show they will continue to spark curiosity in new audiences.
Don’t be surprised if UFC on Fox 2 becomes the most viewed event in MMA history.
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