Sports
Top 10 Biggest Earning PPV Events In History [Ranked]
Summary
- The UFC pay-per-view era is now over, following the promotion’s move to Paramount+ in a $7.7 billion deal.
- Conor McGregor dominates the list of the most-purchased UFC pay-per-view events, showcasing his immense popularity and drawing power.
- The success of these huge events signified the promotion’s rise as a major player in combat sports, rivaling boxing in terms of audience numbers and PPV figures.
The UFC has been running massive pay-per-view events for well over 20 years, but the company’s run on the platform has come to an end as all shows will move to the Paramount+ streaming service in January 2026, following UFC 323 on the 6th of December 2025.
With buy rates consistently falling over the past few years as fans move away from legacy media, it’s easy to see why the UFC opted to accept a bumper $7.7 billion deal with the streaming giant. It should be noted that the deal currently only applies in the USA and other select international territories, although it is widely expected that it will be adopted worldwide as and when existing broadcasting arrangements lapse.
The role that pay-per-view played in helping the UFC to rise to the global phenomenon it is today. Despite being formed in 1993, it took the promotion 12 years to secure a major TV deal. For many of those early years, pay-per-view was the only way that many fans could consume the action inside the Octagon.
When the UFC did eventually strike it big, thanks in part to the success of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, pay-per-view buys really helped to boost the promotion’s bottom line.
With the pay-per-view era now over, there is no better time to take a look back at the biggest-earning PPV events in history. The buyrate for UFC 323 has not yet been made public, but given the decline of the format and the decline in pay-per-view numbers in general, there is no realistic chance that the show will rank among the most purchased in history.
A number of huge names have headlined these shows, with Conor McGregor, Brock Lesnar, Jorge Masvidal and more featuring heavily in the top 10 of the company’s most-successful PPV events. Figures have been taken as per Business Insider and Tapology – correct as of December 2025. 2024
Here’s the full list of the top 10 biggest UFC pay-per-view events of all time, ranked according to their pay-per-view buys and revenue with the latter not relevant to inflation.
10
UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor
1,200,000 PPV Buys – $80 million
‘The Notorious’ marks his first of many in the top ten of the rankings, this time having taken on Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 194 to determine the undisputed Featherweight Champion of the world. What was to follow was absolutely stunning, with McGregor putting his name down in the record books after just seconds of the first bell sounding.
McGregor scored an absolutely incredible quickfire finish in just 13 seconds of the opening round, leaving the Brazilian legend flat on his back as he climbed the cage and celebrated his title win. His meteoric rise had finally been completed, and he was at the pinnacle of his stardom, which continued to climb after this victory.
9
UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal
1,300,000 PPV Buys – $90 million
Kamaru Usman and Masvidal first met in a huge clash at UFC 251 in the first of two huge events between the pair, which showed Gamebred’s growing pay-per-view draw. The Nigerian had shown his dominance at welterweight throughout his career, and closed the show with a huge barrage of shots in the second round to prevent Masvidal from gaining the title.
Both fighters have shown throughout their careers that they have some huge pay-per-view potential, and the event was a roaring success which saw fans immediately clamour for a repeat of the clash. The second fight did not attract quite as big of an audience given the one-sided nature of the opening meeting, and it was Usman again who prevailed.
8
UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor
1,300,000 PPV Buys – $83 million
Get used to seeing McGregor appear on this list, he’ll be here quite a bit. UFC 205 saw Notorious take on Eddie Alvarez to determine the undisputed Lightweight Champion of the world. This was the most historic moment in the history of the Irishman who was seeking the chance to become the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously in different weight classes.
And once again, he delivered to complete his meteoric rise to the top, stopping his rival in the second round before parading around the ring with his two belts. Some iconic pictures were taken of the new two-division king on top of the cage and on top of the world, before he declared himself the ‘double champ’ in front of a huge audience.
7
UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cerrone
1,353,429 PPV Buys – $90 million
McGregor made a comeback for the first time after a loss to Nurmagomedov, which raised anticipation levels higher than ever. He had just boxed Floyd Mayweather in a huge event, but that did not stop him rampaging to a sensational first-round win over UFC veteran Cerrone to leave his name on the tip of fans’ tongues again.
The Irishman has faced a huge volume of criticism for accepting his one-off move away from MMA, but he was hoping to launch a fresh title challenge after defeat to rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. Cerrone proved no opposition to his whirlwind offence and folded inside a minute. It remains McGregor’s last win inside the Octagon.
6
UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz
1,500,000 PPV Buys – $80 million
UFC 196 saw McGregor move up to welterweight to take on Nate Diaz just months after his massive bout against Aldo. The company was on an incredible hot streak at this time, helped by the popularity of the Irish fighter, and it was a tough day for ‘The Notorious’ who found himself on the losing side of history for the first time.
Diaz picked up a win by submission in the second round which left fans in the Las Vegas venue stunned, but the names of both men were immediately on the lips of fans who would be left eager to see a second and third meeting. The pair raked in huge revenue numbers, and it is no wonder given their reputations in the sport to date.
5
UFC 100: Lesnar vs. Mir II
1,600,000 PPV Buys – $82 million
UFC 100 saw Brock Lesnar in the main event take on Frank Mir to try and avenge his loss in his first-ever UFC outing. The pay-per-view star who continued to deliver throughout his career, and he certainly did so again, securing his redemption with a second-round KO win in the most-watched event at the time in the promotion’s history before the arrival of McGregor.
Lesnar was a huge star when he arrived in the UFC and his epic rivalry with Mir drew new attention to the heavyweight division at a time when it was thriving at huge potential. The second fight generated huge publicity and even more than their first clash, given many were extremely interested to see whether ‘The Next Big Thing’ could get his revenge, and the win did eventually mark one of the best of his career.
4
UFC 257: McGregor v Poirier 2
1,600,000 PPV Buys – $100 million
McGregor renewed his rivalry with ‘The Diamond’ as he looked to settle their feud for good by following on from his first win. However, it ended very differently to how he intended, with the huge event ending in disaster for ‘The Notorious’ who was stopped by the rugged American in the second round.
He vowed to get immediate revenge with the knowledge that any event against Dustin Poirier would once again have huge success in terms of gate and pay-per-view numbers and revenue. His returns for the UFC are unmatched and this continued despite his form taking a dip within this difficult trilogy for the ex-champion.
3
UFC 202: Diaz vs. McGregor II
1,650,000 PPV Buys- $90 million
One of the biggest rematches in company history again saw McGregor headline a massive PPV buyrate. The huge event was highly anticipated given McGregor had suffered a shock defeat in their first meeting, but he was able to recover in sensational style to return to winning ways with a comfortable points win over his bitter rival. It was expected a third meeting would be set up, which could still happen providing Diaz is able to negotiate a return to the UFC after leaving to pursue a professional boxing career.
2
UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3
1,800,000 PPV Buys – $120 million
McGregor’s third outing with Poirier was to end in utter disaster given the hype surrounding the event, after the former double champion’s bright performance in their rematch. It was a do-or-die moment in the Irishman’s career, and it once again started brightly before he fell backwards and broke his leg in devastating fashion.
The fight was stopped and McGregor now faces a huge rebuild in the present day, either in boxing or the UFC, having since spent two years out of action after the injury took place. Poirier and his rival still have a great deal of bad blood to resolve, and it remains to be seen if a fourth fight could be on the cards towards the back end of both fighters’ careers.
1
UFC 229: Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor: 2,400,000 PPV Buys – $180 million
And finally, the biggest PPV event in UFC history saw Khabib Nurmagomedov defend his UFC Lightweight Championship against McGregor. It’s going to be a long time, if ever, before we see an event top this massive card which was headlined by arguably the most iconic rivalry in the promotion’s history.
McGregor put up a brave battle against his undefeated rival in a bitter feud, which had escalated more and more for each growing month, but he was submitted by the Russian’s elite wrestling skills. The event’s huge success was seemingly dulled by the fact we never saw a sequel given the unsavoury brawl between the teams at the final bell. Nurmagomedov later retired and McGregor never did have an opportunity at redemption against the Russian.
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Penalty shootouts are football’s ultimate psychological battle. While power and placement remain crucial, many of the world’s best penalty takers now rely on deception just as much as technique. One of the most common methods is the stutter or stop-start run-up — a style that divides opinion every time it appears on the biggest stage.
From World Cups to the Premier League, players such as Jorginho, Bruno Fernandes and Neymar have made the technique famous, while tournaments like Euro 2024 and the World Cup have again sparked debates over whether the tactic gives shooters too much of an advantage. So, why is it legal, how do players execute it, and which penalties have become the most memorable examples?
What is the Stutter Run-Up in Penalties?
A stutter run-up is exactly what it sounds like: rather than running continuously towards the ball, the penalty taker briefly slows down, hesitates or changes rhythm before striking it.
The objective is simple: before committing to a corner before the kick, the taker waits to see whether the goalkeeper moves first. If the keeper dives early, the striker can calmly place the ball in the opposite direction.
It differs from the illegal feint because the hesitation happens during the run-up, before the kicking leg begins its final swing towards the ball.
It is legal, provided it is performed correctly. The IFAB Laws of the Game state that players are allowed to feint during the run-up to confuse the goalkeeper. However, once the player has completed the run-up and starts the kicking motion, they cannot stop completely or perform another exaggerated feint before striking the ball.
If a player illegally feints after completing the run-up, they are cautioned for unsporting behaviour and the penalty is recorded as missed if the ball enters the goal.
The rule attempts to balance the contest between the taker and goalkeeper whilst preventing attackers from gaining an unfair advantage at the very last moment.
How do players perform a stutter penalty?
Most players follow a similar process, taking a controlled rather than explosive run-up, slowing slightly one or two strides before reaching the ball. They watch the keeper’s movement rather than focusing solely on the ball, and strike into the opposite corner if the goalkeeper commits early. Issues can arise should the goalkeeper remain firm and not commit, meaning the taker must pick a side and execute clearly.
The technique demands exceptional composure. If the goalkeeper refuses to move, the taker still needs to generate enough power and accuracy despite interrupting their own momentum.
Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has repeatedly explained why the tactic is so hard to face, saying: “Don’t dive too early because, while he’s running up, you don’t want to be moving in the direction you’re going to go because the better players will just roll it in the opposite corner.”
He recently said on The Two Robbies & Friends Podcast: “The second you stutter, you can’t get the same amount of purchase on the ball. I can wait and still save it.”
Notable Stutter Run-Up Penalties
There have been plenty of penalties during the 2026 World Cup campaign. Justin Kluivert noticeably missed his stutter penalty during the Netherlands’ penalty shootout against Morocco, which resulted in the Dutch being eliminated.
Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade also had their stutter penalties saved during Germany’s penalty shootout against Paraguay, although Joshua Kimmich’s similar technique was successful.
The technique was made popular by ex-Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, whose penalty routine took the Premier League by storm, with the Italian scoring 51 penalties during his whole career. However, even he hasn’t been immune to mistakes, missing a penalty during Chelsea’s EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City in 2018, as well as missing two penalties against Switzerland, which would have seen Italy bag qualification to the 2022 World Cup.
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The Stutter run-up remains controversial because it shifts part of the contest away from pure striking ability and towards psychology. Some argue that the technique unfairly forces goalkeepers to move first, especially given modern interpretations requiring keepers to keep at least part of one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
Penalties arguably already heavily favour attackers, and varying the run-up simply represents another legitimate skill. Reading a goalkeeper’s body language, maintaining balance and still finding the corner requires exceptional technical quality under immense pressure.
As long as the players stay within IFAB’s laws, the stutter run-up is likely to remain a feature of football’s biggest occasions. Whether loved or hated, it has become one of the defining penalty techniques of the modern game — and one that continues to test the nerve of both takers and goalkeepers whenever a match hangs in the balance.
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Turkish women’s tennis player, Zeynep Sonmez, has revealed what she asked the Wimbledon bosses after they banned her from wearing her usual pro-Palestine pin while competing at SW19 this year.
Sonmez is currently ranked number 51 in the world, and she made it through from the first round of the women’s singles by defeating Ann Li, before losing to American Claire Liu in the following round.
Despite her singles woes, Sonmez returned to the court earlier this week to compete in the women’s doubles event, alongside Jessica Maneiro. However, the duo were eliminated in round one in three sets.
Player Banned From Displaying Pro-Palestine Symbol at Wimbledon
During her three-match run at this year’s edition of Wimbledon, Sonmez showed her support for Palestine through the use of a vibration dampener, which has the symbol of a watermelon.
A watermelon is grown in Palestine, and the fruit has often been used as a substitute for the flag.
Throughout her career, Sonmez has regularly attached a watermelon pin to her dress when competing, but she revealed that she was banned from wearing it at this year’s Wimbledon.
“I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it,” she told members of the media, before revealing what she had asked tournament bosses about the decision.
Why Wimbledon Bosses Banned Pro-Palestine Symbol
“We discussed with the organisers. [I asked why] the Ukrainian flag is allowed, but the Palestinian is not. They ultimately told us they definitely won’t allow it. So, I can’t wear the pin.”
Organisers are reported to have cited the tournament’s strict dress code as the reasoning behind the decision.
“I can use the vibration dampener, and they can’t object to that. That’s why I put the watermelon symbol on my racket.”
The watermelon, which features the same colours as the Palestinian flag, has become a widely-used symbol of Palestinian resilience against Israeli oppression and occupation
In response to her stance, Osman Askin Bak, who is the Turkish minister of Youth and Sports, supported her in her brave efforts by writing a post on the social media app ‘X’ which read:
“By refusing to remain silent in the face of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, she has once again demonstrated with her honourable stance that sport is not merely about competition; it is also a carrier of universal values.
“For this meaningful sensitivity, we wholeheartedly congratulate our athlete and respectfully salute every conscientious voice that stands with the oppressed.”
When previously asked about her support towards Palestine and her choice to wear a pin when in competition, Sonmez told the WTA about how it affects her emotionally:
“It’s a sensitive area for me. People in Palestine are suffering. I see videos and photos and feel like there’s not so much we can do.
“But we can always do our best, it’s like I was saying, you can be the best version of yourself. I want everyone to know that I’m standing with them.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been the busiest club in the transfer market so far this summer, but they aren’t done yet.
The north London club finished 17th in the Premier League for a second consecutive season, but manager Roberto De Zerbi has been given a war chest to rebuild the squad and make them competitive again.
So far the Italian has added Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes, while a £100m deal for Sandro Tonali has also been agreed to bring him in from Newcastle. The club are now believed to be looking at their forward line next, and the top target has been revealed.
Tottenham Prioritise Savinho Transfer
Spurs have shown a strong interest in a number of forward options in the market, with Crysencio Summerville among the names touted as possible options to make the switch.
But while speaking on talkSPORT, GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that there is a man above the Netherlands international on their shortlist, following Man Utd opening talks for the West Ham star.
“Talks are now underway directly between West Ham United and Manchester United for Crysencio Summerville, who’s just getting back from the World Cup, and don’t forget that Tottenham have looked at him in the past as well,” he said.
“Their primary focus is Savinho. Let’s see whether the Manchester City board choose to sanction that deal or not.”
Savinho has already agreed personal terms ahead of a move to north London and wants to join, but talks continue between the two clubs over a fee. It’s understood that City want around £60m to let the Brazilian leave.
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Savinho Could Be Next In The Door
Savinho arrived at Man City from Troyes in 2024 after a terrific spell in La Liga on loan at Girona, and immediately excited fans with his tricky footwork, pace and creativity.
It’s not easy to get compliments from Pep Guardiola, but he called the youngster ‘extraordinary’, showing just how talented he is. A lack of regular game time saw his form dip, but De Zerbi is the perfect manager to get that out of his system and get him back to his best.
Spurs are ready to splash the cash, and Savinho is a player who could make a big difference to their attack next season. They’ve set their sights on the deal, and it’s one to pay attention to in the coming weeks as they look to close it.
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