What Do Numbers in UFC Mean? UFC PPV & Fight Nights Explained

Simon Young |

05/01/24
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If you follow the UFC, you will have noticed that each event is numbered. For instance, you will see a bout billed in the following way: UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington.

But what’s the reason for the number? And what’s the difference between a UFC PPV event and a UFC Fight Night? Here, we explain what the numbers in UFC mean and how you can differentiate between the two events.

UFC PPV Events – Listed in Chronological Order

The biggest fights in the UFC are the pay-per-view (PPV) bouts, which typically consist of a title fight that is preceded by an extensive undercard. These fights are numbered in chronological order for ease of identification.

The first UFC PPV fight – UFC 1 – was held at the McNichols Sporting Arena in Denver, Colorado. The event occurred in November 1993, with approximately 86,000 PPV buys and an in-house attendance of just 7,000.

Brazilian fighter Royce Gracie won UFC 1 with a submission defeat of Gerard Gordeau, writing his name into UFC folklore in the process. Each subsequent PPV bout arranged by UFC was numbered chronologically, a process which continues today.

So, every fight that you see today titled “UFC XXX” is a PPV fight with a championship bout as the headline event. On the same card, there will also be 10+ preliminary bouts between fighters eyeing championship bouts of their own in the near future.

There tends to be a UFC PPV fight every month, and bouts are typically arranged several months in advance to give promoters sufficient time to work their magic.

Take UFC 290 as an example. The championship fight saw Alexander Volkanovski defeat Yair Rodriguez by TKO in round 3. But before the main event, the early preliminary card saw fighters like Vitor Petrino and Marcin Prachnio take the floor.

The preliminary card followed, including a brilliant welterweight bout between Robbie Lawler and Niko Price, which saw the former defeat the latter within 40 seconds with a memorable KO. On the main card before the championship fight at UFC 290, we saw Dricus du Plessis defeat Robert Whittaker, and there were also wins for Alexandre Pantoja, Dan Hooker, and Bo Nickal.

The total gate for UFC 290 amassed just short of $10,000,000, with 800,000 PPV buys on the day of the fight itself. This highlights just how far UFC has come in recent years, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most popular PPV events available to fighting fans.

What About UFC Fight Nights?

If you’re just getting into the UFC, you must distinguish between UFC PPV events and UFC Fight Nights. Fight Nights are events aired on networks like FOX Sports or ESPN, in contrast to the PPV main events that require a one-off payment to watch the action.

While numbered PPV events play out once a month, Fight Nights are a near-weekly event, with fights scheduled throughout the calendar year. While you might not see the biggest and the best fighters in action at UFC Fight Nights, you can tune into talented up-and-coming fighters trying to make a name for themselves in their respective weight divisions.

This format ensures that UFC is available to a broader fanbase and that anyone with cable TV can watch regular UFC fights. The PPV option is still available if viewers wish to tune into the championship bouts.

The first UFC Fight Night took place in August 2005, 12 years after the inaugural UFC PPC event. UFC Fight Night 1 was broadcast on Spike (free-to-air) following the huge success of the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter, which was available for free on the same channel.

The initial format was essentially just one big card with eight up-and-coming fighters slugging it out for three rounds apiece. The event in Las Vegas saw wins for Nate Marquardt, Chris Leben, Stephan Bonnar, and Nate Quarry.

Today, the format is slightly different. There is a main card and an undercard, with most non-championship bouts lasting for three rounds. There are also bonuses available throughout the night, adding to the spectacle of the PPV alternative of the Ultimate Fighting Champion series.

Recap: What Do Numbers Mean in UFC?

The main takeaway is that the numbers next to the fight indicate the chronological order in which the fight is taking place. If the event is billed simply as “UFC XXX”, it is a PPV event that you must pay a one-off fee to watch. On the card are a championship bout and preliminary and early preliminary fights, totalling 10+ bouts on the night.

The other type of UFC event is what is known as a Fight Night, billed as “UFC Fight Night XXX.” These events also have multiple bouts, but they are usually contested by up-and-coming fighters for three rounds apiece, with no championship belt on the line.

For more insight into the UFC, check out our blog post that explains the differences between UFC and MMA.

Bet on the UFC Action at Parimatch

Parimatch is home to the best UFC betting odds and markets. To bet on PPV events and Fight Nights at our sportsbook, create an account and verify your identity via SMS. You are then all set to bet on the biggest events on the UFC calendar throughout the year.

When betting on UFC at Parimatch, please remember to gamble responsibly. See our Safer Gambling Portal to learn about setting deposit limits, opt-out options and other tools to help you stay in control. Online gambling should be fun, so please set your limits and remain in control.