10 Talking Points Behind UFC 176's Cancellation

6. The Lack Of Stock Put Into Co-Main Events

It's understandable that their isn't a bigger obligation into co-main events on Fox Sports 1 shows. In the end, many of those are regional events particularly in Brazil. That being said, UFC 176 is a pay-per-view and a bigger co-main event could have saved the card. Gegard Mousasi against Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza is an excellent fight, but it's not capable in headlining a pay-per-view. These are two new fighters to newer or casual fans. As talented as both fighters are, the attendance and buy-rate had the potential to be abysmal. This is where the stock of a great co-main event comes in. The idea of putting Ronda Rousey in co-main events have been proven to be greatly beneficial. It brings more luster into a card being special, regardless of her opponent. The decision was made just recently that UFC 183 will feature two fights. Anthony Pettis will be making his return against Gilbert Melendez in a co-main event? How special does that sound? Not every card needs two title fights because that is virtually impossible. It simply has to be somebody recognizable for pay-per-view. At UFC 137, Georges St. Pierre was supposed to defend his title against Carlos Condit. That had to be removed because of Condit being injured, so Nick Diaz vs. BJ Penn was bumped to the main event. Now that can certainly sell for a main event fight in desperate circumstances. While 280,000 isn't a great buy rate, the live gate was nearly at four million which is impressive.