UFC 323 was supposed to be the final pay-per-view event of a stacked year, with two title fights, a sold-out arena, and a night full of chaos and excitement. However, when the broadcast numbers were released, a different story began to circulate. It was not about the quality of the card, but rather its reach. According to the numbers, UFC 323’s prelims had become the worst-performing card of 2025 in comparison to other PPVs.
The news came as a surprise to many, as UFC 323 was highly anticipated and had all the elements to make it a successful event. So, what went wrong? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers and try to understand the reasons behind this unexpected result.
Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room – the COVID-19 pandemic. The world has been facing a global health crisis for almost two years now, and the sports industry has been greatly affected. The UFC has been one of the few sports organizations that managed to continue its operations during this challenging time. However, the pandemic has undoubtedly played a role in the low broadcast numbers for UFC 323.
One of the main reasons for the low numbers could be the absence of a live audience. The energy and excitement of a live crowd can greatly enhance the viewing experience for both the fighters and the audience. The lack of a live audience could have made the event less appealing to viewers, resulting in lower PPV buys.
Moreover, the pandemic has also caused financial strain for many people, making it difficult for them to spend money on PPV events. This could have also contributed to the low broadcast numbers for UFC 323.
Another factor to consider is the competition. The night of UFC 323 coincided with an NBA playoff game, which could have divided the viewership. Additionally, there were other sporting events happening on the same night, which could have also affected the PPV buys for UFC 323.
But despite these challenges, UFC 323 still delivered an incredible night of fights. The prelims were filled with exciting matchups and thrilling finishes, with practically every fighter delivering chaos inside the Octagon. From knockouts to submission wins, the prelims had it all.
The main card also lived up to the expectations with two title fights. The co-main event between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko was a highly anticipated rematch, and it did not disappoint. Nunes’ dominant performance secured her victory over Shevchenko and solidified her position as one of the greatest female fighters in UFC history.
In the main event, fans witnessed an epic battle between the two heavyweight giants, Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. The fight was a back-and-forth war, with both fighters giving it their all. In the end, it was Miocic who emerged victorious, retaining his heavyweight title.
With such an electrifying night of fights, it is a shame that the broadcast numbers didn’t reflect the quality of the event. But the UFC and its fighters should not be disheartened by this. The global pandemic has undoubtedly affected the viewership and PPV buys, and it is a temporary setback.
The UFC has been on a tremendous journey of growth and success over the years, and one low-performing PPV event does not define its overall success. In fact, the UFC has been breaking records and setting new ones year after year. It has become a global phenomenon, and its popularity continues to grow.
Moreover, the UFC has a strong fan base and loyal supporters who have been eagerly waiting for live events to resume. As the situation improves and the world returns to some form of normalcy, we can expect to see an increase in the viewership and PPV numbers for future events.
In conclusion, UFC 323 may have been the worst-performing card of 2025 in terms of broadcast numbers, but it was still a phenomenal night of fights. The COVID-19 pandemic and competition from other sporting events may have played a role in the low numbers, but it is just a temporary setback. The UFC and its fighters should be proud of what they have achieved and continue to strive for greatness. As they say, the show must go on, and the UFC will undoubtedly bounce back stronger than ever before.