MVP MMA Sets 9.3 Million U.S. Viewers Record on Netflix as Rousey-Carano Peaks at 11.6 Million
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · May 19
MVP MMA Sets 9.3 Million U.S. Viewers Record on Netflix as Rousey-Carano Peaks at 11.6 Million
12 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · May 19
9.3 million U.S. viewers watched MVP MMA 1 on Netflix on average, setting a new domestic record for an MMA event; the Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano main event peaked at 11.6 million.
12.4 million viewers watched globally, with a 17 million peak during the headliner, after Rousey had publicly targeted more than 9 million to top the previous 8.8 million U.S. mark set by UFC on FOX in 2011.
MVP said the Los Angeles event also produced a $2.2 million live gate and 1 billion impressions across Netflix's global social channels, strengthening the promotion's pitch to investors, partners and fighters.
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian said they are weighing strategic options for future MMA events with Netflix, though the next headliner is unclear after Rousey submitted Carano in 17 seconds and said she does not plan to keep fighting.
Did the 17-second main event prove Netflix's MMA strategy is a success, or did it expose a fatal flaw?
Can MVP's higher fighter pay build a true UFC rival, or is it just a sideshow for aging stars?