Injuries tore apart the UFC’s star-studded roster over the last eight weeks. It left the promotion with pay-per-view shows built more on depth over star power. After UFC 109, when asked about the fans complaining about PPV prices and value, White flipped his lid:
"UFC fans are spoiled," White explained that every UFC PPV can’t be a megacard. "There’s gonna be the people that always bitch and I say what I always say, ‘don’t buy it!.’ If you don’t like the [expletive] card don’t buy it. I don’t give a [expletive]!"
White reached a boiling point after hearing and reading the complaints before the Mark Coleman-Randy Couture card.
"People who are real fight fans and want to sit home on a Saturday and watch fights, will watch it. Nobody’s [expletive] making you buy fights and watch the pay-per-view. Watch "American Idol," I could care less."
Probably not the best choice of words by White but he does have a point when comparing MMA PPV’s to what boxing offers. Boxing still builds its cards around one fight. If that main event is a flop, the consumer is hosed. At least you get five-to-seven fights on an MMA card for your $45-$60. Is that enough value? Over the long haul, the market will determine if UFC is presenting too many PPVs.
With a little reflection, White would probably say he does give a [expletive]. He’s just a little cranky right now. To think, this PPV discussion was before he found about Vitor Belfort being out of UFC 112!