UFC London Cashes In: Record Live Gate Despite Snooze-Fest Fights

If UFC London proved anything this past weekend, it’s that you can’t always judge a payday by its action. While fans might have been yawning through a card dominated by decisions, the UFC was busy counting a mountain of cash at the O2 Arena.

Decision-Heavy Card Sets Financial Records

Let’s be honest – UFC London wasn’t exactly a highlight reel factory. Nine decisions out of thirteen fights? I was reaching for the energy drinks just to make it through. But here’s the kicker – while we were struggling to stay awake, the event was smashing financial records left and right.

The O2 Arena was packed to the rafters with British fight fans who apparently don’t mind spending top dollar to watch fighters play the world’s most dangerous game of tag. The result? An all-time gate record for the UFC in London.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

When the final tallies came in, UFC London had generated a stunning live gate, proving once again that the UK market remains one of the promotion’s most lucrative territories outside North America. This wasn’t just a good night financially – it was historically good.

Why British Fans Keep Showing Up

I’ve covered enough UFC events to know that British MMA fans are a different breed. Rain or shine, barnburner or bore-fest, they turn up in droves and make noise like no other crowd in the world.

Even with a card that featured more hand-raising than hand-dropping, the atmosphere inside the O2 was electric. British fight fans create an energy that fighters consistently cite as unmatched – a factor that keeps both the UFC and athletes eager to return.

The Business of Boring

This raises an interesting question: Does the UFC need exciting fights to be financially successful? The evidence from London suggests not necessarily. While Dana White typically rewards action-packed performances with bonuses, the promotion’s bottom line seems quite resistant to cards that don’t deliver on excitement.

Think about it – how many times have we heard fans swear off buying the next PPV after a dud, only to see those same fans eagerly opening their wallets when the next big card rolls around?

What This Means for Future UK Events

The financial success of UFC London virtually guarantees more events in the British capital. The UFC is, first and foremost, a business – and businesses go where the money flows. With the O2 Arena proving to be a reliable cash cow regardless of fight quality, expect to see the Octagon returning to London with increasing frequency.

For British fans, this is fantastic news. For the rest of us watching at home, let’s just hope the next London card delivers more highlight-reel moments and fewer 15-minute tactical exchanges.

The Bottom Line

While MMA purists might cringe at cards dominated by cautious point-fighting, UFC London proves that the promotion’s financial model is remarkably resilient. Nine decisions couldn’t stop the cash registers from singing – and that’s ultimately what keeps the UFC machine running.

So the next time you’re bored during a fight card, remember: Someone, somewhere is making a lot of money off your disappointment. In this case, it was the UFC in London, laughing all the way to the bank after a historic night of profitable tedium.

Love it or hate it, that’s the fight business in 2023.

Source: UFC/Minute Media