UFC 142: Are Cards Like UFC 142 the Reason UFC's PPV Numbers Are in Decline?

UFC 142 will be a bloodbath in the pay-per-view market, and not just because of "Tebowmania" and the NFL playoffs.

UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has historically failed to be a draw as have fighters from the lighter weight classes in general (perhaps casual fans are less inclined to pay to watch fighters that they can supposedly bench press).

And it's not like the co-main event—Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson—is a fight that will produce the stuff of legends.

The card just doesn't have the power to wow the casual fans.

But is this lack of "wow factor" just coincidental or part of a larger, worrying trend?

The year 2011 wasn't the best for the UFC in terms of PPV buys and the organization is set to have even more events in 2012.

The UFC only has a finite amount of star power to spread out over the calendar year. Their marquee stars such as UFC welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones won't be able to headline each card.

That will mean that many cards will be headlined by fighters who just don't have the ability to draw a large amount of buys.

The UFC's PPV numbers will continue to underperform while they will still oversaturate the market in defiance.

Why should fans have to shell out so much money for pay-per-views that just aren't worth the price tag?

They shouldn't and fans are starting to realize this; the UFC brand name doesn't warrant the steep and numerous price tags anymore.

Fans will watch UFC programming when it's on for free on FOX (or Fuel or FX) and will only break into their precious (and ever-shrinking) pile of disposable income when they feel it's warranted.

There have simply been too many PPV's of a quality that don't warrant the steep price. The fans voted with their wallets in 2011; they will no longer be bled dry. 

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