McGregor is seen as the biggest draw in UFC history and currently the top attraction in any combat sportGETTY IMAGES
UFC President Dana White said that UFC 229 on Saturday, headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor for the lightweight championship, is "projecting to smash company records" in both PPV revenue and gate revenue in the state of Nevada, according to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com. White said that PPV buys, at a price of $64.99, are "now tracking" close to 3 million. He said, "This thing is breaking every record we've ever had as far as numbers go." Okamoto noted UFC "does not release" official PPV figures after events, but the promotion has "never had an event reportedly hit 2 million buys." McGregor's boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in '17 "reportedly sold 4.4 million buys." White said that the gate "projects near" $17M. Currently, the "highest UFC gate in Las Vegas is UFC 200" in July '16, which generated $10.7M (ESPN.com, 10/3). YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole noted UFC 229 is "looking as if it may be the third-largest" PPV in history, "in terms of sales, behind only" Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao in '15, which sold 4.6 million; and Mayweather-McGregor in '17. White said that social engagement "has been rising" 23% each week. McGregor engagement is up 28%, while Nurmagomedov is up 58% (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/3).
LIFE OF THE PARTY: YAHOO SPORTS' Iole wrote McGregor "understands how to attract attention and he knows how to leverage that attention like few have ever done." But it is "not his words or his quick wit alone that have made him by far the biggest draw in UFC history and the top active attraction in any combat sport." McGregor’s "passion for the sport is what sets him apart," and that "resonates with fans." That "more than anything describes his approach, and it’s allowed him to take his other talents and create numerous other money-making ventures." The authenticity "translates to the fan base." McGregor "connects with all who care about the fight game because he cares more than anyone" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/2). Fox Sports UFC analyst Michael Bisping noted McGregor is a "very popular fighter." He said, "People love him -- rightly or wrongly -- and they’ll tune in to watch him win or get knocked out. Either way, it results in pay-per-view sales, a lot of money, and ultimately he’s winning" (L.A. TIMES, 10/4).
A LOOK AHEAD: ESPN's Okamoto said UFC will have "great options" moving forward, "no matter" the outcome of the fight. When McGregor lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, he "wanted to come right back in because he's a competitive guy." He wanted to "wipe away that loss." If he were to lose Saturday, it would be "great to have (him) back quickly." If McGregor were to win, that "opens up every scenario imaginable," because then "everybody wants to fight" him ("Get Up," ESPN, 10/4). Read more about UFC 229 in Friday's edition of "Weekend Plans," which features UFC Senior Exec VP/Event Development & Operations Pete Dropick (THE DAILY).
