Big Box Office Numbers Expected For UFC 157 At Honda Center

UFC President Dana White said that as of Thursday night, Saturday's UFC 157 headlined by Ronda Rousey-Liz Carmouche was "close to a sellout" at Honda Center and "would generate more box-office revenue than when the UFC visited the same venue in November 2011 with the heavyweight title on the line." UFC officials added there is "significantly more" media interest than a typical card, with coverage from Rolling Stone, CNN and Forbes, among others. White said no fighter in UFC history "has had more attention" than Rousey (USA TODAY, 2/22).

The CP notes, "What the event means for the long-term viability of women competing in the UFC remains to be seen." The promotion has already signed "four more athletes to help jumpstart the division, and two of them – Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano – are scheduled to meet in April." But "what comes next won't be known until after Saturday night" (CP, 2/21).