The UFC has grown into a sport that millions love all over the world. What was once a small fight show is now a global name. Fans wait for big events each year, and the proof is seen in pay-per-view sales. A fight card with star names can sell over a million buys in one night. It is about story heat and hype. When two names clash with skill and drama, the sales rise fast. Some fights have made new records and set new bars for the sport. In this list, we will go through the top 10 highest-selling UFC pay-per-view fights ever. These events gave fans pure thrill and will always be part of UFC lore.
McGregor vs Khabib at UFC 229
The fight at UFC 229 was not just the biggest in UFC but also one of the most hyped in fight sport history. Conor McGregor had become the face of the UFC. Khabib Nurmagomedov was the champ with an unbeaten run. Their clash was fueled by bad blood and trash talk that had built up for months. The press meetings were heated, and the fans could not wait for fight night. When the time came, the event sold more than 2.4 million pay-per-views, which is still the record. In the cage, Khabib was too strong and won by choke in round four. What made this night even more wild was the brawl that broke out after the fight between both camps.
McGregor vs Diaz II at UFC 202
The rematch of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz was one of the most intense fights in UFC history. Their first fight at UFC 196 had shocked fans when Nate won by choke. The loss was a rare blow for Conor, who was known for his talk and fast wins. Fans wanted to see if he could come back strong. The UFC made it happen at UFC 202, and the hype was huge. The fight sold over 1.6 million pay-per-views and proved to be worth it. Both men went back and forth for five rounds in a war of skill and heart. Conor won by points in a close call that gave fans all the thrill they hoped for. This fight proved why rivalries sell and why Conor was still the top draw in the UFC.
McGregor vs Diaz I at UFC 196
The first fight between McGregor and Diaz was a shock to the fight world. Conor was set to face Rafael dos Anjos, but he pulled out with an injury. Nate Diaz came in with a short note, yet still took on the fight. The hype was still high since Conor was on a hot streak, and fans thought he would win with ease. But the night ended with a twist as Nate pulled off a choke win in round two. The event sold over 1.3 million pay-per-views, and fans loved the story of the upset. It showed that in UFC, nothing is certain until the fight is done. This fight started one of the best rivalries in UFC and led to a rematch that drew even more sales. The shock and thrill of this fight make it one of the top draws ever.
McGregor vs Poirier II at UFC 257
In 2021, Conor McGregor made his long-awaited return to the cage. His fight with Dustin Poirier was the second time they met. The first clash years back had ended with a fast win for Conor. This time, fans were eager to see how both men had grown. The hype was huge with fans from all over the world ready to see if Conor was back at his best. The event sold more than 1.6 million pay-per-views, which shows the star power of Conor. But the fight ended with a shock as Poirier knocked Conor out in round two. This was the first time Conor lost by knockout, and fans were stunned. The clash showed that Dustin was now a top name in the sport and that Conor was still a major draw even in a loss.
McGregor vs Poirier III at UFC 264
The trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier was one of the biggest UFC events in 2021. Both fighters had one win over the other, so this bout was to settle the score. The buildup was heated with harsh words from both sides. Fans could not wait, and the event sold over 1.8 million pay-per-views. The fight ended in a sad twist when Conor broke his leg in round one. Dustin got the win, but fans were left with mixed feelings since the end came so fast. Still, the fight proved that Conor could sell big no matter what. The night was full of drama and showed how star power can drive sales even if the fight is short.
McGregor vs Aldo at UFC 194
The clash of Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo was one of the most hyped fights ever. Aldo had ruled the featherweight class for years and was seen as near unbeatable. Conor was the new star who talked loudly and said he would end the fight fast. Fans around the world were eager to see if he could back his words. The event sold over 1.2 million pay-per-views, which was huge at the time. The fight was done in just 13 seconds when Conor landed a left hook to drop Aldo. It was the fastest title win in UFC and is still one of the most famous knockouts in sports.
Lesnar vs Carwin at UFC 116
Brock Lesnar was one of the most famous names in UFC history. His size, skill, and past fame made him a star draw. When he faced Shane Carwin at UFC 116, fans knew it would be a clash of giants. Both men were huge heavyweights with power, and the hype was massive. The fight sold over 1.16 million pay-per-views. In the cage, Carwin came close to ending the fight in round one as he hurt Brock with big shots. But Brock came back in round two and won with a choke. The fight was full of drama and showed the heart of a true champ. It also proved that Brock was one of the top stars in UFC and could sell events at the highest level.
Lesnar vs Mir II at UFC 100
UFC 100 was a landmark event for the sport. The UFC built the card to be one of the biggest ever, and fans were ready for it. The main event was Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir for the heavyweight title. Their first fight had ended with Mir beating Brock, so this was a chance for payback. The hype was high, and the event sold over 1.6 million pay-per-views, which was huge at the time. Brock won the fight with strikes and gave a wild talk after that, which fans still recall. This event showed how far the UFC had come and how big it could be. UFC 100 is still seen as a key point in the rise of the sport, and Brock was the main draw that night.
McGregor vs Cerrone at UFC 246
After time away from the cage, Conor McGregor made his return at UFC 246. He faced Donald Cowboy Cerrone, who was a fan favorite with many fights in the UFC. Fans were eager to see how Conor would look after the long break. The hype was strong, and the event sold over 1 million pay-per-views. The fight ended in just 40 seconds when Conor landed fast strikes and a head kick. It was one of the fastest wins in his career, and it showed that he still had the power to thrill. This fight may not have been long, but it was a huge draw that proved the star pull of Conor was still there.
Rousey vs Holm at UFC 193
Ronda Rousey was the queen of the UFC and had ruled the bantamweight class with ease. She won most of her fights in the first round, and fans thought she could not be beaten. When she faced Holly Holm at UFC 193, the hype was high as always. The event sold over 1.1 million pay-per-views, which was a record for a women’s fight. But the night ended with a huge shock as Holm landed a head kick knock out that stopped Ronda cold. Fans around the world could not believe it. The loss marked the end of Ronda’s rule, but the fight was a huge point in UFC history.
Conclusion
The UFC has become a global sport with fans in every part of the world. The pay-per-view record shows how much star power and hype can drive sales. Conor McGregor leads the list with most of the top events, but stars like Khabib, Brock Lesnar, and Ronda Rousey also proved their pull. These fights were more than just bouts. They were events that gave fans drama, thrill, and moments that will be told for years. Pay-per-view sales are not just numbers. They are proof of the bond fans have with the sport. These ten fights stand as the highest-selling UFC events, and they show why UFC is the king of fight sports today.