The upcoming UFC 196 card will no longer be a PPV event. The event will now air on FOX Sports 1 for FREE as reported Yahoo’s Kevin Iole earlier today. It is absolutely the right move to make since the main event was crushed due to injuries to both fighters.
Cain Velasquez pulling out of the main event against Fabricio Werdum started the domino effect, and Werdum pulled out the next day after declining to face Stipe Miocic on short notice.
UFC 196 will now be headlined by what was the co-main event, a welterweight scrap between former champion Johny Hendricks and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. The bout will reportedly be a five round affair although it was have been a three round bout as the co-main event.
UFC 196 will take place on February 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The event likely wouldn’t have done huge PPV numbers with the main event intact, and without it surely would have done terrible numbers.
Good move UFC.