UFC 196's Move to Free TV Officially Ends the Era of Super Bowl Weekend Super-Cards

The UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend show has traditionally been one of the biggest cards of the year. This year’s card, UFC 196, lost its heavyweight championship headliner over the weekend, leaving the UFC in a tough spot. Too close to the date to find another worthy headliner for any pay-per-view, let alone a tentpole event, the organization conceded defeat and announced the card would move to free TV on FOX Sports 1.

In a bold move, the UFC did right by their fans. Unfortunately, this is the latest sign that the UFC has stretched itself too thin. The UFC has been a Super Bowl Saturday fixture since 2004, way back when you could count the number of events in a year on one hand. Of course, that was before anyone actually watched the sport. As the UFC expanded over the next decade, it was a blessing and a curse.

The event total creep was subtle at first, but now there’s no hiding the fact that the UFC needs to scale back. After an absurd 45 events (with one cancellation) in 2014, they are on pace for 36 events this year. Hopefully, this corrects the course and allows the UFC to actually put on more actual “super cards” after UFC 200 this summer. (Those events traditionally take place Super Bowl Saturday, the Saturday before or after the 4th of July, and the final non-holiday Saturday of the year.) As well as erase any fears of entire cards being canceled because a headlining bout falls through.

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at the history of Super Bowl Saturday UFC events. Remember, the results aren’t that important when looking back at how big a card seemed at the time.

UFC 46

Vitor Belfort knocked out Randy Couture and BJ Penn submitted Matt Hughes in the two title fights. Carlos Newton was a former UFC champion. Frank Mir would win the title 6 months after beating Wes Sims. Georges St. Pierre made his octagon debut beating Karo Parisyan by decision and making a whopping $6,000 for his troubles. If ever there was a stacked card, this was it. Not that the timing of GSP’s debut was anything more than a happy and inexpensive accident. Especially since I don’t believe that fight was shown during the broadcast.

UFC 51

Nick Diaz’s 4th UFC fight and 13th fight overall was on this card. Can you comprehend how long Nick Diaz has been fighting? He headlined a Super Bowl Saturday show 10 years later! Not to mention Belfort who would fight again on the Super Bowl show in 2011 and is still active.

UFC 57

UFC 67

UFC 81

UFC 94

UFC 109

UFC 126

UFC 143

UFC 156

UFC 169

UFC 183

UFC 196