According to Dave Meltzer, the early buyrate for UFC 81 is 600,000 buys.  This is the low estimate, as the final buyrate usually is higher as late buys, replays, etc trickle in.  In the end the show will probably do around 650,000, if usual growth patterns stay constant.  At 44.95 instead of 39.95, it makes it the third highest grossing PPV show in UFC history behind Ortiz/Liddell and Ortiz/Shamrock III.

Meltzer also reported in this week's observer that UFC is looking to break into Minneapolis later this year with Lesnar as a major part of the card in his hometown. Note: You can subscribe to Dave's newsletter at www.wrestlingobserver.com. It has a lot of the best MMA news every week.