Sunday saw Irishman Conor McGregor take on Nate Diaz in a UFC rematch and the event was a huge hit for Fox Sports Venues.
UFC 202 was the most sought after UFC pay-per-view (PPV) event ever by Fox Sports Venues customers. UFC's PPV events have now more than doubled in popularity with Fox Sports Venues customers since UFC 193 took place in Melbourne in November last year.
Fox Sports Venues national pay-per-view manager, Japhy Duldig, told TheShout that this weekend's card was the best ever UFC PPV and that venues were packed with watching customers.
"The rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz proved to be a huge success with venues packed with fans across the country," Duldig said. "It was Fox Sports Venues biggest ever selling UFC pay-per-view eclipsing the previous record set at UFC 196 by nearly 10 per cent. Fans love Conor McGregor and we always do well when he fights, however this fight had an X-Factor about it that we had not seen before.
"The popularity of Conor McGregor and his rivalry with Nate Diaz transcended the traditional UFC fan-base with many casual sports fans wanting to see whether Conor could avenge his loss against Nate. The controversy at the press conference and the war of words in social media only added to the hype of the fight. It became a 'must-see' event."
Steve O'Connor, the Fox Sports Venues Commercial Director, told TheShout: "The UFC runs their events so well, consistently and predictably every month that UFC PPV’s have become a staple revenue driver for many of our customers, taking their Sunday trade to a completely new level.
"Our venues customers that do the best from UFC mirror that consistency and predictability for their patrons by taking up our Automatic Booking option. Their patrons know the events are always on there, and the venues also gain the advantage of a reduced rate and the earliest possible promotional materials.
Duldig added: "The interest around UFC continues to grow in Australia and we have seen more and more venues wanting to show UFC and use it to drive Sunday revenue. 2016 has been a huge year for the UFC with records set and UFC athletes such Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey becoming global superstars."
McGregor won the fight with Diaz on points and immediately after the clash, both fighters spoke of their desire for a third fight, a move which would likely be widely welcomed by all Fox Sports Venues customers.