Historic Pay-Per-View Fights: The Top 10 Blockbusters in Combat Sports
Top 10 Biggest PPV Fights in History
The Evolution of Pay-Per-View in Combat Sports
Pay-per-view (PPV) has played a transformative role in making combat sports a global spectacle. Since its inception in the 1960s—marked by the televised rematch between Floyd Patterson and Ingemar Johansson, where viewers paid just $2—PPV has steadily grown into a multi-million dollar industry. Over the decades, pioneering events like the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle,” featuring Muhammad Ali, spotlighted how mass-audience television could elevate prizefighting. Later, titanic bouts such as Roberto Duran vs. Sugar Ray Leonard and blockbuster MMA clashes elevated the stakes. In today’s era, only the most electrifying matchups between boxing and UFC giants command the enormous audiences and revenues that define PPV history.
Curious about which encounters set records and drew the world’s attention? Here is a countdown of the ten most successful PPV fights ever, revealing the colossal impact of these historic showdowns.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao: Unmatched Hype, Record Numbers
Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Full Fight Highlights
Date: May 2, 2015
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event Name: Fight of the Century
Buys: 4.6 million
Revenue: $410 million
Despite its tagline as the “Fight of the Century,” this Las Vegas megafight between two of boxing’s biggest stars didn’t deliver the anticipated fireworks inside the ring. Mayweather’s slick defensive skills dominated the action, and the fight went the distance with a clear decision victory in his favor. High demand from fans who had been waiting for this matchup for many years ensured it set a new standard for global PPV sales and revenue, even if analysts believed the bout happened too late to capture both fighters in their prime.
Mayweather vs. McGregor: A Crossover Phenomenon
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor – Fight Highlights
Date: August 26, 2017
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Event Name: The Money Fight
Buys: 4.3 million
Revenue: $600 million
The lead-up to this unique contest, pitting undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather against UFC superstar Conor McGregor, was filled with drama and showmanship. With the world’s attention on Las Vegas, the bout proved more compelling in terms of anticipation than action—Mayweather controlled the fight and secured a TKO in the 10th round. The spectacle attracted mainstream interest, leading to one of the highest payouts in combat sports history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor: Rivalry Reaches Boiling Point
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor – UFC 229 Highlights
Date: October 6, 2018
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Event: UFC 229
Buys: 2.5 million
Revenue: $86.4 million
This grudge match became the highest-selling PPV in UFC history thanks to the intense animosity between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Conor McGregor. The heated build-up was matched only by the chaos after Khabib’s submission victory, as a massive brawl erupted, making headlines well outside the MMA world. This event showcased the UFC’s ability to generate PPV revenues on par with major boxing nights.
Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya: Birth of a Pay-Per-View King
Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya – Fight Recap
Date: May 5, 2007
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event Name: The World Awaits
Buys: 2.4 million
Revenue: $136 million
Against Oscar De La Hoya, Mayweather catapulted to superstardom in a bout that also marked the launch of HBO’s “24/7” reality series, increasing fan engagement pre-fight. The clash between these two household names delivered high entertainment value, setting the stage for Mayweather’s future record-smashing PPV earnings.
Mayweather Dominates “Canelo” Alvarez, Settles the Passing Torch Debate
Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez – Highlights
Date: September 14, 2013
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event Opening: The One
Buys: 2.2 million
Revenue: $50 million
Viewed as a generational battle, the seasoned Mayweather outclassed a young and undefeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. The fight affirmed Mayweather’s technical brilliance, while setting “Canelo” on his path as a future boxing icon and top box-office draw.
Tyson vs. Holyfield II: The Infamous “Bite Fight”
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II – The Bite Fight
Date: June 28, 1997
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event Title: The Sound and the Fury
Buys: 1.99 million
Revenue: $100.2 million
This second encounter between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield became infamous for Tyson’s shocking decision to bite off a portion of Holyfield’s ear. The unexpected turn of events led to Tyson’s disqualification and a storm of controversy, cementing the fight’s legacy as one of the most bizarre moments in sports.
Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson: Heavyweight Showdown with Explosive Build-up
Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson – Full Fight
Date: June 8, 2002
Venue: Pyramid Arena, Tennessee
Event Name: Lewis–Tyson: Is On
Buys: 1.97 million
Revenue: $112 million
Pre-fight tension boiled over into an infamous press conference brawl, generating enormous hype. In the ring, Lennox Lewis showcased his dominance by stopping Mike Tyson in the eighth round, delivering an emphatic close to Tyson’s era as a heavyweight legend.
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II: Fierce Rematch, MMA Milestone
Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II – UFC 202 Highlights
Date: August 20, 2016
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Event: UFC 202
Buys: 1.65 million
Revenue: $95 million
McGregor avenged his earlier loss in a captivating five-round war against Diaz. Their rematch ranks among the most highly anticipated contests in MMA, securing its place as the second highest-selling UFC event ever.
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II: Blockbuster at UFC’s 100th Event
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II – UFC 100 Recap
Date: July 11, 2009
Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
Event: UFC 100
Buys: 1.6 million
Revenue: $75 million
This card was headlined by pro wrestling crossover star Brock Lesnar, who overwhelmed Frank Mir in a highly advertised rematch. UFC’s centennial event also featured notable performances from Georges St-Pierre and Dan Henderson, collectively adding to the card’s immense draw.
Tyson vs. Holyfield I: An Underdog Makes History
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield I – Fight Highlights
Date: November 9, 1996
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event: Finally
Buys: 1.59 million
Revenue: $79 million
Holyfield, considered the underdog, displayed remarkable heart by surviving Tyson’s aggressive style and claiming victory via an 11th-round knockout. With this win, Holyfield matched Muhammad Ali’s record as a three-time world heavyweight champion.
Summary Table: The Most Lucrative PPV Events in Combat Sports
| Fight | Date | Venue | PPV Buys | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao | May 2, 2015 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | 4.6 million | $410 million |
| Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor | Aug 26, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | 4.3 million | $600 million |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor | Oct 6, 2018 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | 2.5 million | $86.4 million |
| Floyd Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya | May 5, 2007 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | 2.4 million | $136 million |
| Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez | Sep 14, 2013 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | 2.2 million | $50 million |
| Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II | Jun 28, 1997 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | 1.99 million | $100.2 million |
| Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson | Jun 8, 2002 | Pyramid Arena, Tennessee | 1.97 million | $112 million |
| Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor II | Aug 20, 2016 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | 1.65 million | $95 million |
| Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II | Jul 11, 2009 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas | 1.6 million | $75 million |
| Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield I | Nov 9, 1996 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas | 1.59 million | $79 million |
Final Thoughts: PPV’s Lasting Legacy in Combat Sports
The pay-per-view model has redefined the scale and ambition of boxing and MMA, creating moments that reach beyond the sport’s core fanbase. These record-breaking events showcase the enduring appeal of legendary figures like Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Conor McGregor, and others, each bringing their own drama, narrative, and financial might to the ring or the cage.
As televised fighting continues to evolve, future superfights will no doubt aspire to join this list—where sport, showmanship, and massive audience demand create unforgettable nights in combat sports history.
