“Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.” Earl Wilson As UFC closes the books on a spectacular 2015, their ability to replicate and exceed such success hinges on factors that are nearly out of their control as they prepare for 2016. In fact, UFC 197 in March may wind up being the biggest show of the year. While Ultimate Fighting Championships has successfully branded itself as the premier promotion in oshark_mma_ufc_logoMixed Martial Arts across the world for years, 2015 saw the company reach new heights thanks to a pair of megastars that have eclipsed in popularity any other fighter to put on the iconic UFC gloves. From Anderson Silva, Randy Couture, Chuck Lidell, Brock Lesnar to George St. Pierre, none of these men (who all weigh over 175 lbs) can match the popularity behind UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor and former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey. In the last two years, McGregor and Rousey captivated two unique, and possibly, individual audiences: Those who were captivated by the well-dressed, charismatic, brash McGregor with speedy, powerful fists and fans who were absolutely mystified at the sight of the blond bombshell Rousey, who could be mistaken for a woman in Anywhere USA, physically dominating her opponents in a fashion rarely seen by anyone, including her male counterparts. Thanks to their fights, numerous media appearances, soundbytes and highlights, all carefully orchestrated by UFC, fans flocked to watch these two in record numbers in 2015, with four million pay per view buys between the 5 fights featuring either Rousey or McGregor in the main event. The roadmap to UFC’s big anniversary event, UFC 200 is currently laid out, but to make it a more successful show than UFC 100 (which had 1.6 million pay per view buys) is dependent on big star power for the main event and on a number of things to go perfectly right. UFC 197 has been booked for March 5th with a double main event featuring McGregor going up in weight to challenge Rafael Dos Anjos for his Lightweight title and Holly Holm defending her Women’s Bantamweight strap against #1 contender Meisha Tate. The women’s fight is intriguing because it will be Holm’s first title defense since her shocking victory over the celebrity Rousey. A win lines her up to defend her title in the fall against a returning Rousey in a fight that can take on legendary proportions for all the redemption storylines involved. It could legitimately be UFC’s single biggest fight of all time considering the media attention it will get. But what if Meisha Tate wins? Were that to happen, Rousey would find herself staring across the octagon at a familiar rival and someone that she shares few good feelings about. In fact, many would argue that Rousey’s popularity in UFC stemmed from the trash talking and near fisticuffs that occurred during their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. A rematch between those two will ensure more cross words and a true grudge match feel. As a result, no matter who wins the Holm/Tate fight, women’s fighting will remain a hot commodity in 2016. Things are a bit more precarious when it comes to McGregor’s challenge of Dos Anjos. McGregor is clearly aware of his place as the top draw in the company, evidenced by labelling his fights as “Red Panty Night” for his opponents and he’s not far off as his last fight in December vs Jose Aldo set the box office on fire to the tune of $10 million, a United States MMA gate record. The March title fight ensures at least one more evening of cavorting Irishmen in Las Vegas cheering on The Notorious One as he attempts to reach mythical status as UFC’s first double champion. But more than that, McGregor fighting in March means he’ll be available to headline UFC 200 for his first Featherweight title defense. That gives us at least two shows in 2016 where the gate money will be through the roof, but all of this requires the one thing that UFC can’t control: McGregor staying healthy. An injury to the Irish champion would be an unmitigated disaster for the promotion in 2016 as no one else, not even Jon Jones, has his star power and charisma that can ensure a full house of high priced tickets and 7-figure PPV numbers.
As we approach March, fans of Conor McGregor and women’s MMA will combine to bring the company’s success to unparalleled levels. They’ll also put lots of $$ in UFC’s ever growing bank. Time and injuries will tell if they can maintain that momentum throughout 2016.
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Steve TozinA connoisseur of global sports, entertainment, pro-wrestling and mixed martial arts. Archives
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