Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 20
Rousey, Jake Paul Mock UFC After White House Card Draws 7 Million US Viewers
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 20

Rousey, Jake Paul Mock UFC After White House Card Draws 7 Million US Viewers

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 20

Summary

  • Paramount said UFC 250 Freedom reached 7 million US viewers on Paramount+, triggering taunts from Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul because it fell short of MVP's recent MMA audience mark.
  • Netflix had said Rousey's 15-second win over Gina Carano in May averaged 9.3 million US viewers and peaked at 11.6 million, figures Paul used to claim he was now the biggest MMA promoter.
  • Rousey, who fought on an MVP card instead of returning to UFC over purse demands, also took aim at UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell after the White House numbers emerged.
  • The White House event still averaged 8.2 million viewers across the US and Latin America, with Paramount saying 17 million watched at least one minute and that Nielsen and Adobe Analytics verified the live audience data.
  • Justin Gaethje capped the Trump-hosted card by upsetting Ilia Topuria to win his first undisputed lightweight title at age 37, while Paramount suggested broader global figures may still be released.

Insights

Is Jake Paul's new promotion, with its higher fighter pay, a genuine threat to the UFC's combat sports empire?
After a $60 million 'one-of-one' event, what precedent does a UFC fight on the White House lawn set for future sports?
As streaming giants battle for viewers, will record-breaking spending on live sports rights prove to be a sustainable business model?