Unlike anything else in this world, mixed martial arts is something that is capable of absorbing me completely. As an avid fan, I spend a great deal of time immersed in the sport, whether it be training, watching, discussing, or simply thinking.
Quite often I find myself lying awake at night pondering a wide variety of subjects, ranging from fight predictions and outcomes, to Arianny Celeste, to Dana White's UFC video blog. In one way or another, I am intrigued by nearly every aspect of the sport.
Just a few days ago, I began thinking from a more statistical point of view. I started asking questions like: "How often do fights end in triangle choke? How about TKO? How many title fights actually go all five rounds?" These were questions that needed answers, despite their triviality.
That being said, over the past 72 hours I have collected data from every UFC Pay-Per-View event since UFC 31, and analyzed the statistics. I chose UFC 31 as a starting point due to it's historical significance. This event, held on May 4, 2001, was the first PPV put on 100 percent by Zuffa, and was the first time the UFC introduced the five weight-class system. UFC 31 also marked the MMA debut of a certain 22-year-old Hawaiian prodigy I happen to be a fan of.
Before I begin, I would just like to clarify a few things:
1. This data is for UFC PPV events only (UFC 31 to UFC 92), and does not include UFC Fight Nights or Ultimate Fighter Finales.
2. Title fights include title defenses, title unifications, interim title fights, and fights for vacant belts.
3. Decisions include unanimous, split, and majority.
4. Knockouts include KO's, KTFO's and TKO's (referee stoppage, injury, etc).
5. Over the years, there have been a handful of catchweight fights due to fighters not making weight. Instead of creating a catchweight category, I've included these fights in their intended weight divisions. The 175-lb catchweight fight between Matt Hughes and Royce Gracie at UFC 60 was considered a welterweight fight.
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