Dana White says UFC 229 did ‘way over 2 million’ pay-per-view buys

UFC 229 was touted as the biggest fight in UFC history. As well as a fight ‘the world would be watching’ and well, it turned out to be true. After months of bad pay-per-view numbers, where UFC 228 estimated at 130 thousand buys, UFC 229 was a sigh of relief for the UFC.

In the main event, Conor McGregor made his return to the Octagon to take on the lightweight champion and undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov proved to be too much for McGregor and submitted him in the fourth round.

Following the fight, mayhem took place with Nurmagomedov trying to fight McGregor’s corner. While members of Nurmagomedov’s team jumping into the Octagon and attacking McGregor. Ultimately, UFC President Dana White was so mad at the post-fight press conference that he didn’t even ask anybody on how the pay-per-views did.

Well, two days later, White revealed just how good UFC 229 did.

“The pay-per-view numbers are starting to roll in, so I’m in a much better mood than I was on Saturday,” White said to TMZ Sports. “We didn’t do 3 million. But it’s so hard to crack 2 million in [combat sports]. Even [Mike] Tyson [vs Evander] Holyfield was at like 1.995 [million]. Things like that didn’t crack 2 million. We’re way over 2 million, so I’m happy.”

Happy, indeed, especially after what took place after the fight. Although it wasn’t the 3 million that White was hoping for, going way over 2 million is absolutely huge. It would be the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view to date, a tremendous feat.

People wanted to see McGregor’s return, and for him take on one of the best lightweights. If not the best lightweight ever to fight in the UFC. McGregor’s star power is huge, and it showed by the pay-per-view buys.

Although nothing is official, it was a big night for the UFC.

Did you purchase the pay-per-view for UFC 229?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 10/8/2018