UFC 91 vs. UFC 92 Head to Head

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 31, 2008 6:22 PM EDT in News Comment 26 comments

Earlier today I was asked by a co-worker if they were only able to pay for one of UFC's two remaining pay-per-view cards in 2008 which they should drop the $45 on. I spent a bit of time trying to figure out the best way to look at making such a determination. I decided though, that I'd present him with a bit of a creative "BloodyElbow-esque" way to decide.

So I took a look at both cards and a look at our most recent meta-rankings to figure out which card would deliver the most bang for the buck.

Format below is Fighter Name (Points in latest BE Meta-Rankings). Card listings based off of MMAWeekly's rumor section

UFC 91

-Randy Couture (303) vs. Brock Lesnar (98) – Total: 401 (difference of 205 pts)
-Gabriel Gonzaga (298) vs. Josh Hendricks – Total: 298
-Joe Stevenson (153) vs. Kenny Florian (289) – Total: 442 (difference of 136)
-Demian Maia (90) vs. Nate Quarry – Total: 90
-Amir Sadollah vs. Nick Catone
-Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory
-Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael dos Anjos
-Alvin Robinson vs. Mark Bocek
-Jorge Gurgel vs. Aaron Riley

Total Show Points – 1231 – 27 Points per dollar

UFC 92

-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (431) vs. Frank Mir (174) – Total: 605 (difference of 257)
-Forrest Griffin (417) vs. Rashad Evans (372) – Total: 789 (difference of 45)
-Quinton Jackson (399) vs. Wanderlei Silva (328) – Total: 727 (difference of 71)
-Mustapha Al-Turk vs. Cheick Kongo (113) – Total: 113
-C.B. Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio
-Yushin Okami (328) vs. Dean Lister – Total: 328
-Matt Hamill (56) vs. Reese Andy – Total: 56
-Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn
-Antoni Hardonk vs. Mark Burch
-Pat Barry vs. Dan Evensen

Total Show Points – 2618 – 58 Points per dollar

So...after taking a look at both shows I think it's pretty obvious where the heavy amount of value is at. Not that this is shocking to anyone who has been paying attention, but UFC 92 is one of the most important (in terms of upper level rankings) shows of the last year.

Obviously what is getting left out here is the atmosphere that will exist for a fight like Couture/Lesnar where the crowd will add to the enjoyment of a show tremendously. But, if I only had $45 left in my PPV budget for the remainder of 2008, I'd certainly be spending it on UFC 92.

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I have tickets to 91 (I bought them hoping that Rampage-Wandy would be announced) but for watching at home, no question UFC 92 is the call. The top three fights are all interesting and have major implications on the future of the UFC.

By contrast, the live atmosphere for the main event of 91 will be freaking crazy. Its the mega fights like Lesner-Couture that are amplified by being in attendance. Despite that, if I had a choice I would still probably exchange my tickets and go to 92.

by Day Man on Oct 31, 2008 6:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And the second highest metaranking fighter at 91 is Gonzaga. Not what you want out of a PPV.

by Day Man on Oct 31, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was about to buy tickets for 91 really only wanting to see Wandy/Rampage and Stevenson/Florian. I’m glad I didn’t but would still love to be there.

I’m really surprised to see Dolloway on the main card when it’s suppose to be the biggest fight card of the year. Hamil should be taking his place or atleast bump up the Chonan/Blackburn fight.

by steveoc24 on Oct 31, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good analysis, but all I gotta say is..

..sucks to be that guy. I’d just as soon tell him to invite some friends over and make them pitch in, or hit up a bar or another friends house (split ordering responsibilities, one each).

Anyway, that’s an enjoyable way to look at the value of a card. Maybe you could do a similar analysis for cards in the future. Perhaps add some value for prospects, though I’m not sure how..

by Blackout612 on Oct 31, 2008 6:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah easy decision. 91 has one main fight… fight that shit on the internet the next morning haha

by dbcb on Oct 31, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The weight classes don’t all have the same number of possible points.

The highest points possible by weight class in the October MetaRankings:
Featherweight (300)
Lightweight (450)
Welterweight (425)
Middleweight (400)
Light Heavyweight (425)
Heavyweight (450)

So, you could do something like divide each guy’s points by his weight class’ highest possible points and then say multiply that by 100 for a nice round-ish looking number, then add that up…
UFC 91 would be 276 points and UFC 92 is 611.
The ratio is even more in favor of 92 at 2.21 : 1 rather than 2.13 to 1.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 31, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

that’s a bit deeper than I wanted to go. Because…well…you’re much better with math than I am.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 31, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's what he do...

Watch 91 on the internet and pay for 92. No point in buying both. For some reason I don’t think the Couture/Lesnar fight is going to be that exciting. 92 has Griffin/Evans, Mir/Nog, and Jackson/Silva. All you need is at least one of these fights to be exciting. Tell him 92 all the way.

by Akorn on Oct 31, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Watching on the internet and watching live in HD on your big screen tv with family and friends just isn’t comparable.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 31, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed!
Who can’t afford 45 bucks once a month?

by Evil-Uncle on Oct 31, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plenty of people, but unless you watch alone that shouldn’t stop you.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 31, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey...

$45 is a an electric bill. Only the most hardcore fan buys every PPV show. I was so happy I didn’t pay to see Cote’s knee buckle. Gotta love the net.

by Akorn on Oct 31, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your electric bill is $45?

by mythbuster on Oct 31, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s incredible.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Oct 31, 2008 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You live in one bedroom apartment with no refrigerator?

by cyph on Oct 31, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If all I had was $45 I would find a friend and split the costs so I can watch both shows…

if I am a long term strategic thinker, I would use 8 of those $45 to buy the book “how to win friends and influence people” and make groups of friends and host the shows splitting the costs between everyone else so that I have a lifetime supply of free UFC.

(the rest of the 45 would be spent on a cheap hooker)

by mmalogic on Oct 31, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Save a couple of dollars for the treatment needed afterwards.

by mythbuster on Oct 31, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there you go. you find a way, any way to watch both. even if you have to take out one of those “payday loans” or hit the pawnshop (lol!) you gotta watch both!

by bdw on Oct 31, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UFC 92 easily.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Oct 31, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I watch every MMA event I can.

I am even trying to find out if I can watch Sengoku tonight and MIGHT have found a way.. This program called TVUPlayer streams television and has an MMA channel.

I recall usnig it to watch the DREAM Event because i do not have HDNet..

I believe it will be on at around midnight my time.

But I’d get UFC 91 and 92. It is easy to find 5 people to throw down $10, which turns it into even cheaper than going to a movie. Throw in another $10 each and you got yourself some pizza and beer.

Good times don’t get much better for that value.

I want to see Brent use the meta rankings of each fighters and divide it by how many exciting fights they have multiplied by the greatness of beer and the deliciousness of pizza to form the numbers I need to calculate this proposition.

by DirtyML on Oct 31, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah 92 all the way. Couture is great and all, but I was never really on the Brock Lesnar train.

by Dooda on Oct 31, 2008 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There’s no doubt that ufc 92 is ten times better. Lesnar/Couture is very attractive, but the rest of the card is trash. If I could see one fight and pick the fighters myself, I would pick Silva/Rampage 3.Plus it has Evans/Griffin,Mir/Nogueira. I’ll be at 94 which is rumored to have Penn/St. Pierre, Silva/Machida,Fitch,Karo P., Bonnar/Jones- if all those really materialize, this card could rival ufc 84 which is the best ufc ever.

by Josh H. on Oct 31, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Save the money, stay up late

And Order FEG’s K-1 Dynamite supershow

by skwirrl on Nov 1, 2008 12:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

its elementary my dear watson

case closed

by skwirrl on Nov 1, 2008 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Replying to your pointless off-topic post is the cool thing to do now?

by iiowyn on Nov 1, 2008 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I buy every UFC PPV so I don’t really ever forsee being in this situation and making me choose is some sadistic shit.

But going against the grain here, I’d choose 91. UFC 92 is badass and all but, for me, nothing compares to watching Randy fight live. The atmosphere for a Couture fight surpasses all other fights in my opinion and he only has a couple of fights left.

I’m still buying both though, I fucking hate streams on the Internet. I find it very hard to get into fight when its on my computer, but I am still thankful for them as i wouldn’t be able to watch fight nights and other decent organization’s cards.

by SamCupitt on Nov 1, 2008 8:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs