After a successful debut on pay-per-view for the WEC, fans have wondered if the organization will stick to the same plan for future fight cards or return to the Versus network. With last weekend’s event bringing in 150,000-200,000 buys, there is potential for the pay-per-view model to work. Although those numbers aren’t close to what the UFC brings in, it is a good start for a promotion that casual fans may not even be aware of yet.

Despite their success, Dana White announced that the WEC will return to their broadcast home for the foreseeable future.

“It’s business as usual when these guys are on Versus: same announcers, same everything.”

Longtime viewers of the WEC immediately saw a difference during last weekend’s Aldo vs. Faber card. Replacing the usual play-by-play team were Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. Bruce Buffer also took over announcing duties inside the cage.

Don’t feel bad for the WEC crew though, White says they were taken care of.

“What we did, too, is the announcers that normally do the WEC were all paid. We took care of everybody. We just felt (bringing in the UFC team) was the right thing to do.”

For now, it looks like White is happy with the WEC remaining where it is.

“We’ve got great partners with Versus and Comcast for the WEC. We know what we’re doing. We’ll do the right thing.”

Additional WEC cards on pay-per-view are not guaranteed. Part of the issue is balancing MMA events with other sports. However, given the number of buys last weekend generated, White thinks future bouts could make the transition.

“We’ve got to take time and really look at it and hand-pick. We’re doing so many pay-per-views, an boxing is going to do a few a year. You’ve got Vince (McMahon of the WWE) doing a bunch of pay-per-views a year. You have to pick and choose.”

Whether or not the WEC moves to the pay-per-view model down the line, White can guarantee one thing:

“Every time we do a pay-per-view, you’ll see my monkey ass out here.”

(Source: MMA Junkie)