Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 3): Pay-per-view buyrate predictions for UFC 113 through UFC 116 - Hansen, Carter, Hobaugh, Williams and Amadi
May 15, 2010 - 9:04:28 AM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 3): Pay-per-view buyrate predictions for UFC 113 through UFC 116 - Hansen, Carter, Hobaugh, Williams and Amadi

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With a number of exciting fight cards on deck for the UFC this summer, how well do you think the next few pay-per-view events can do? Predict the buyrates for UFC 113-116.

ALVIN CARTER III, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

UFC 113 might do about 500,000 viewers. The card was great, and people wanted to see Light Heavyweight Championship situation settled. I would say more than this if there had been another title fight on the card.

UFC 114 is stacked, and I think it will do 600,000 - 650,000. Rampage vs. Evans is enough right there. Michael Bisping and Diego Sanchez are also on the card to give it a little kick. The only thing this card is missing is a championship match, and that is the only major reason why the buyrates might not be as optimistic as I forecast. This will be a chance to see if star power can be just as viable as a title fight. It could drop a bit because of the loss of Forrest Griffin against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

UFC 115 is a tough card to call. Some fans might be upset that Chuck Liddell is not fighting Tito Ortiz. Still, Rich Franklin is a solid fighter who is a fan favorite, and will probably make for a better fight. From an avid fan's perspective the card is full of favorires. Liddell makes his return against Franklin, Mirko Cro Cop is on the card, Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann should be exciting, Carlos Condit is back in actions, and Tyson Griffin is also on the main card. This could be one of those 380,000 - 750,000 type of events. I tihnk it will be kind of lower just because as much as fans like Rich Franklin, they might be tired of seeing him serve as the "catchweight champion." He needs to fight contenders and make a run for some weight classes belt. If this card breaks 500,000 it will be because Chuck Liddell is back, and fans aren't sure if he is going to fight again after UFC 115.

UFC 116 is going to have about 1.2 million viewers. I know it is a large estimate, but people want to see Brock Lesnar, and now they also want to see Shane Carwin. Throw Wanderlei Silva and some other fan favorites on the card and you have a big buy rate. Lesnar vs. Carwin is the fight probably going to be a short fight, but it will be work every second if it delivers the explosive action that both fighters often deliver.

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

UFC 113: 550,000 (Mother's Day weekend saps buys)

UFC 114: 700,000 (Memorial Day weekend saps buys)

UFC 115: 650,000 (Liddell's name still resonates)

UFC 116: 1,200,000 (Lesnar is THE draw in the sport)

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

UFC 113 should have an excellent buyrate because of the much anticipated rematch between Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

UFC 114: Rampage vs Evans will be one of the best PPV buyrates this year. When Jackson pulled out to do the A-Team movie, the MMA world thought we might not get to see this fight. Now that it is back on, expect one monster fight to go along with an excellent PPV buyrate.

UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin will not have a stellar PPV buyrate. Neither will ever vie for a title again and they are way past their prime. They are two of the most popular fighters ever, but they need to answer the question today "Who Cares?" These PPV numbers will be low.

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin - How in the hell can you bet against Brock Lesner? This is an interesting matchup because both fighters have a wrestling background, but that did little to help Randy Couture in his loss to Lesner. Even with Carwin's advantage in striking, I feel like Lesner controls this fight with his strength and speed. I I predict Lesner wins in a 4th round TKO. The PPV buyrate will be strong on UFC 116. People are always intrigued by a heavyweight championship fight. I think more people than not are hoping to see Carwin knock Lesner out! It is hard to forget how he handled himself after he beat Frank Mir. This card will do a massive buyrate.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

UFC 113: 500,000 buys

UFC 114: 900,000 buys

UFC 115: 600,000 buys (I won't be one of them. Liddell vs Franklin as a main event in 2010? No thanks.)

UFC 116: 1.2 million

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

A lot of people went into a panic at the beginning of the year because of the absence of the UFC’s champions, but the top fighters are back, and now so are the buyrates. I’m predicting the Machida vs. Shogun rematch will do around 400,000 like the first one did. UFC 114 with Rashad Evans vs. Rampage Jackson should do 600,000, UFC 115 with Rich Franklin taking on Chuck Liddell should do 500,000 buys, but Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin should do well over 1.2 millon.