The UFC is one of the most iconic championships that mixed martial artists strive towards. From powerful offenses to standing their ground, the octagon has seen a huge amount of tense matches ever since it first began. As a result of this, the UFC has seen enormous numbers of TV viewing and audience numbers.
Here are some of the most watched UFC matches to date, and what made them such intense events. Check out the latest UFC odds for more information about the latest developments, and to see how new fighters have potential to become future champions.
UFC 229
Firstly, the UFC 229 was one of the highest viewed events in championship history. There were numerous fights that contributed to the immense popularity of this UFC, but the Khabib vs McGregor match had the highest views to date.
2,400,000 pay-per-view buys were seen for this event, and it could be due to the rivalry between their home countries which fueled such an intense match. With Khabib representing Russia and McGregor Ireland, the lightweight champions entered the octagon with bad blood between them.
Khabib was an immovable opponent to McGregor, and he won this iconic match in the UFC 229 with a neck crank. Despite McGregor’s reputation for fist fighting, Khabib certainly proved himself in 2018. It wasn’t just the two champions who went head-to-head at the time, as their respective entourages began fist fighting following McGregor’s loss.
UFC 257
Another highly watched UFC match was the 2021 UFC 257, when Poirer and McGregor faced off for the first time in seven years. With 1.5 million pay-per-view buys, this was a highly significant fight of the twenty-first century.
McGregor entered the octagon with a reputation to defend, while Poirer was eager to prove himself in the rematch after losing against McGregor in 2014. He certainly got the revenge that he had been waiting for, when Poirer caught McGregor off-guard and sent him down.
Poirer took advantage of this unique opportunity, when he was able to gain TKO victory at the end of the match. The lightweight did not hold back on his punches by the time that he got the chance to change the records, and it’s no wonder why this match was so highly viewed.
UFC 202
The next UFC match that has the highest pay-per-view purchases is UFC 202. McGregor entered the octagon against Nate Diaz, and there have been many reports that the two fighters butted heads during a previous match. However, it was their fight during UFC 202 that generated 1,650,000 PPV purchases.
This was one of the most intense matches that the championship has ever seen, as McGregor kept the fight going until completion. The Irishman was keen to defend his reputation and came out on top at the end of this match. McGregor won by majority decision after the bell sounded.
UFC 246
Another McGregor match that generated 1,500,000 PPV purchases was the UFC 246. He defeated Donald Cerrone, also known as the Cowboy, forty seconds after the first bell. McGregor came out of retirement for this fight in 2020, which is one of the reasons why so many people watched this match in particular.
It was a highly iconic event within UFC history, as the Irishman defeated Cerrone by TKO in a highly impressive timeframe. Not only that, but McGregor proved that he is still just as powerful as he was during his prime fighting days.
UFC 196
Finally, UFC 196 saw another popular match between McGregor and Diaz. This was their first time fighting each other, and McGregor’s surrender motivated him to work on his stamina and form in time for UFC 202.
This fight generated around 1.3 million PPV purchases, and Diaz won with a rear-naked chokehold. McGregor was beginning to show his weakness when it came to skillful submission. It is this defeat that fueled McGregor during the rematch against Diaz.
Many people have said that this fight was an example of history in the making, and the sheer quantity of pay-per-view purchases only reinforces this. It is an example of one of the few losses that the Irish fighter faced, and the UFC 202 shows how he responded.
Summary
The UFC remains one of the most iconic championships in the industry of mixed martial arts. It is a sport that is unlike anything else, which is one of the reasons why so many people are passionate about watching the latest developments.
McGregor is a household name within many UFC fans, and it isn’t hard to understand why. The Irishman has fighting in his blood, and he has a highly successful reputation within the lightweight and welterweight divisions. Despite his retirement, McGregor still holds some of the most impressive records out there.
Thanks to the immense contribution of champion fighters such as McGregor, it is exciting to keep a lookout for the latest developments. Take a look at the link above to see new fighters on the horizon, and make your own predictions about the newest McGregor.