Conor McGregor PPV power sits at a level few can match. In a new Submission Radio clip, manager Ali Abdelaziz argues that no current headliner outside Conor McGregor reaches one million buys and that chasing “PPV points” makes less sense going forward. He points to Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria as examples of stars who do not yet move seven figures on their own.
Ali Abdelaziz on Submission Radio
Ali Abdelaziz stated:
The UFC right now has no PPV star outside Conor McGregor. Nobody can hit a million buys. When you hit a million buys, that’s when you start making a lot more money. Now, as a manager, I’m just gonna negotiate flat fees instead of the PPV. This PPV thing is a myth… O’Malley, Topuria, none of these guys sell PPVs. PPV is not the way it used to be. […] PPV business is dead. I think the UFC made an unbelievable decision for everyone. Listen, if they are getting double the money, you have to be a fool to think they’re not gonna share some of this money.
From PPV to Paramount Plus: why this hits now
In August 2025, TKO and Paramount announced a seven-year U.S. media rights deal starting in 2026. All numbered events and Fight Nights will stream live on Paramount Plus, with select marquee fights simulcast on CBS. The parties disclosed an average annual value of about 1.1 billion dollars. This marks a shift away from à-la-carte PPV buys for U.S. viewers.
Dana White has already implied that fighter performance bonuses will rise under the new TV deal, which tracks with a business model that leans more on subscriptions, gate and sponsorship than individual PPV receipts.
Conor McGregor PPV in context
Historical buy-rate roundups consistently show multiple Conor McGregor events near the top of all time, including UFC 229 and UFC 205. That sustained record underpins Abdelaziz’s point about McGregor’s unique ceiling.
For a broader picture of how seven-figure nights were built, revisit our piece: Top 10 UFC PPVs of All Time.
Can anyone else hit a million today?
It is rare, but the right card can flirt with that mark. Ahead of UFC 300 in April 2024, Sports Business Journal reported expectations near one million buys, but not official statement confirmed this so far. That suggests the ceiling is not McGregor-only, but rather event-dependent. The UFC’s post-event materials focused on gate records and did not publish a final buy figure, which keeps the debate open.
Are PPV points a myth now?
Starting in 2026 in the U.S., there is no traditional per-event UFC PPV to carve up. Contracts will likely center on higher guarantees plus upside tied to metrics Paramount and TKO track across Paramount Plus and CBS, with bigger bonuses as a sweetener. Abdelaziz’s stance aligns with that direction, even if some international territories continue to mix models.
What it means for O’Malley, Topuria and other current UFC figures
Both draw strong live gates and digital engagement. Turning that into consistent million-level outcomes usually requires the right dance partner, clear stakes and a stacked card. In the Paramount Plus era, their value will show up in subscription lifts, engagement time and big-audience simulcasts, not just a single PPV number.
You can find the full interview here:
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