With all the exciting fight pass/networks coming out, there has been lots of talk on the interwebz about the UFC adapting the "show PPV's on fight pass for 9.99 a month" model that the WWE is running with. We all know that UFC shows do better in North America (the only way to judge it since the UFC is limited to PPV coverage in just NA) but just how much better do they do?

Let's look at the individual shows in 2013:

WWE

Royal Rumble (1/27): 579,000 worldwide (364,000 domestic)

Elimination Chamber (2/17): 241,000 worldwide (181,000 domestic)

Wrestlemania 29 (4/1): 1,104,000 worldwide (662,000 domestic)

Extreme Rules (5/19): 245,000 worldwide (137,000 domestic)

Payback (6/16): 198,000 worldwide (108,000 domestic)

Money in the Bank (7/14): 199,000 worldwide (151,000 domestic)

Summerslam (8/18): 296,000 worldwide (185,000 domestic)

Night of Champions (9/15): 175,000 worldwide (92,000 domestic)

UFC

Silva vs. Weidman II 1 million+ (reported)

The numbers were really quite eye-opening. With the exception of the Hendo/Evans and Aldo/Jung, the UFC's basement level number would have been the 3rd most bought show of the year for the WWE. The UFC simply can't afford to do what the WWE is doing because their PPV model is still profitable, while clearly the WWE's model is sinking. I commend the WWE brass for seeing this and adapting, but I wouldn't hold my breath that the UFC is going to follow suit.

It's all about the Benjamins.