UFC 108 nabs $1,969,670 at the gate with 8,004 tickets sold on Jan. 2

by Jesse Holland on Jan 21, 2010 6:02 PM EST

The Jan. 2 UFC 108 pay-per-view took in a gate of $1,969,670 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to official figures from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released today.

The final tally was a result of 8,004 tickets sold. Those figures do not include the whopping 5,314 comped tickets or the 599 unsold tickets.

The UFC dished out $843,000 in fighter salaries for the live event and another $200,000 in additional bonus money for the four participants who delivered outstanding performances.

"Evans vs. Silva" drew 13,529 total attendees, placing it ninth on the list of top attendances at the MGM Grand -- just behind 2006's UFC 66: "Liddell vs. Ortiz 2" -- but two places above 2008's UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida."

The main event featured a workman-like performance from 205-pound stalwart Rashad Evans as he inched closer to one day challenging to get his world title back with a unanimous decision over the ultra tough Thiago Silva.

UFC sophomore Paul Daley. "Semtex" made his second Octagon appearance a memorable one in the co main event, spot-welding his fist to the jaw of Dustin Hazelett to grab "Knockout of the Night" after putting "McLovin'" on his butt in the first round.

For complete UFC 108 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

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Wow

That’s not so good. MGM is bigger than Mandalay, and they still only sold around 8,000 tix. Lack of main event…that’s the reason. Come on UFC

by drudog1715 on Jan 21, 2010 6:11 PM EST reply actions

Ohh yeah...

and how annoying is that tickets under $200 are still almost impossible to get for Vegas events, even as a fight club member. Scalpers stop! Let the fans get the tickets and enjoy the events at a decent price.

by drudog1715 on Jan 21, 2010 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

It seems to me what they make just for the gate is enought to pay the fighters and production of the show. idk. So all they money the make off of ppv is almost all profi? Im sure alot has to go for promoting , and other things, but i often wonder how much is pure profit?

by #1 piggy on Jan 21, 2010 7:15 PM EST reply actions

well, looking at those numbers is a nightmare. what they paid all fighters should be the pay of only 1 main event fighter.

fresh like uhh.

by RoBerto. on Jan 21, 2010 11:34 PM EST reply actions

The pic

LOL at Thiago’s legs.

by pamirec on Jan 22, 2010 1:42 AM EST reply actions

Money

I think we need to keep in mind that MMA has only been about for 10 years of which the last 4 years for the UFC have been profitable (06 they started turning a profit). For years the UFC struggled to make any profit, with alot of investors money ploughed in.

Also with the increase in popularity this sport will attract more competition for UFC so any profits will be retained for times a little harder then now.

You have to stop thinking with your hearts and realise from fighter to promoter they are all in it for money. Not saying these guys don’t love it, just money talks LOUDLY.

by MMA changed the world on Jan 22, 2010 8:42 AM EST reply actions