Boxing vs UFC: Top Five PPVs of All Times

Boxers and MMA artists have often met each other inside the ring and managed to generate humongous revenues when they did. Boxing pay-per-view (PPV) events have been a staple of the sport, allowing fans to witness highly anticipated matchups. These events which feature championship bouts or historic rivalries, attracting a large viewership willing to pay for access. Iconic moments, be it ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ or the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder trilogy, make boxing PPVs a thrilling spectacle.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the only other promotion in the world which holds the ability to compete with the boxing establishment in generating soaring revenues. UFC’s meteoric rise shines through its blockbuster events, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with boxing in terms of viewership and PPV sales. Imagine the excitement as UFC President Dana White’s visionary tactics come to life, guaranteeing epic matchups regardless of backstage politics. How do you think the two leading combat sports fare in a PPV comparison? Let us take a look at the 5 biggest PPVs in their respective histories.

UFC and boxing- which reigns higher?

On the 5th, we have the Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson match which generated 1.99 million PPV buys while Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II had 1.6 million PPV buys. Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez bout stands next with a 2.2 million PPV buys. In contrast, Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier, second fight had 1.6 million PPVs. Mayweather vs Oscar De La Hoya fight added the numbers to hold 2.4 million PPV buys. Countering it is the second Nate Diaz vs. McGregor fight which generated 1.65 million PPVs.

Standing at 2nd, the two who constantly pop up when large PPV numbers are involved, Mayweather vs McGregor generated a 4.3 million PPV buys. Mayweather, who retired at 50-0, came back to defeat Conor McGregor in a crossover boxing match via 10th-round TKO. On the UFC side, we have Mcgregor again against Poirier. Their third fight has 1.8 million PPVs. In their initial encounter, ‘The Notorious’ triumphed over ‘Diamond’ with a first-round TKO. However, in their rematch, Poirier avenged his loss, securing victory by finishing McGregor in the third round. In the third match, Poirier won via first-round TKO against Conor McGregor. McGregor’s ankle rolled up and split after a hit, leading to an unexpected victory for Poirier.

Now, the fight with the highest number of PPVs, Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao 4.6milion PPV buys. After a highly anticipated bout, Mayweather defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in Las Vegas. The fight, dubbed the most lucrative in boxing history, generated a record-breaking $410 million in PPV revenue with 4.4 million purchases. In the biggest UFC PPV event, Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his Lightweight title against McGregor. Despite a bitter rivalry, Nurmagomedov’s superior wrestling led to McGregor’s submission. The event grossed $180 million. Clearly, boxing is ahead of UFC in case of generating both PPVs and revenues.

How have Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor achieved such results?

The coveted title of Pay-Per-View King has been held by boxers since the 1980s, with Floyd Mayweather Jr. reigning supreme in recent years. His last three fights generated more revenue than any other boxer’s entire career. Mayweather pioneered HBO’s series, HBO 24/7, providing unique insights into fighters’ lives before bouts, boosting PPV sales. This slideshow highlights the top ten bouts with the highest PPV sales, including six tied for similar positions in the top ten. The fighter is nicknamed ‘Money’ for a reason.

32-year-old McGregor has a different approach. He has amassed a colossal social media following of 55 million on Instagram and Twitter, thanks to his distinctive persona and achievements. His status as a major attraction began when he swiftly ended Jose Aldo’s Featherweight championship reign in just 13 seconds. McGregor, known as ‘The Notorious,’ is widely recognized for significantly enhancing the UFC’s marketing and visibility compared to mainstream sports. His bold attitude, adept trash-talking, and ability to back up his words in the octagon played a pivotal role in driving the UFC’s immense growth.

Read More: 5 Years After Infamous Brawl, Khabib Nurmagomedov Explains Why Conor McGregor Fight Was Exciting- “It Was Our…”

Checking the numbers, it is clear that boxing reigns supreme in ascending PPV numbers.  With a significantly higher margin than UFC fights, boxing bouts have created major hype for each match. The promotions have also contributed and delivered the way one would expect them to. Though the dominant figures in both spheres, Mayweather and McGregor have their own ways of getting their share of PPVs and profits, one cannot ignore the hold they exercise over the fans. When the two came together to battle it out, it took the internet by storm. While UFC is relatively new, it is not too far behind boxing. Do you think it will catch up soon? Or is it a long shot? Let us know in the comments below.

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