5 Highest-Grossing UFC Events of All Time

The UFC has evolved from a fringe combat sport to a global pay-per-view juggernaut, regularly packing out arenas and generating millions in gate revenue. While television deals and streaming have massively contributed to the company’s success, nothing beats the atmosphere and earnings of a packed live event. Here’s a look at the five highest-grossing UFC events in terms of gate revenue, showing just how big the sport has become.

1. UFC 205 – Madison Square Garden, New York ($17.7 million)

UFC 205 was a historic event as it marked the UFC’s first-ever card in New York after the state lifted its MMA ban. Headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez, the event delivered both in hype and numbers. McGregor made history by becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously. The card was stacked from top to bottom and the $17.7 million gate at Madison Square Garden remains unmatched to this day.

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2. UFC 229 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas ($17.2 million)

This event was built on pure animosity between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC 229 was a spectacle, with months of trash talk, controversy, and an intense buildup. The post-fight brawl only added to the headlines. The event raked in $17.2 million at the gate and shattered PPV records with 2.4 million buys, making it the most-watched MMA event in history.

3. UFC 300 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas ($16.5 million)

UFC 300 lived up to the hype as one of the most star-studded cards ever assembled. With multiple title fights and marquee names across divisions, the event drew massive global interest. Although not headlined by a Conor McGregor fight, the depth of the card was enough to generate a huge $16.5 million gate.

4. UFC 264 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas ($15.7 million)

The trilogy between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor brought out celebrities, media buzz, and fans in droves. The fight ended in anticlimactic fashion after McGregor suffered a broken leg, but the hype surrounding it helped UFC 264 pull in a $15.7 million gate, making it one of the biggest events ever.

5. UFC 243 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne ($13.2 million)

UFC 243 was headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker in a middleweight title unification bout. Held in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 57,000 people at Marvel Stadium, it remains the highest-attended UFC event. The $13.2 million gate secured its place among the top five grossing UFC events of all time.