UFC on FOX did 5.7 million viewers...

[Liquidrob]

Most-Watched Individual Fights on Live Event Broadcasts in U.S. MMA History

Based on Average Number of Viewers using Minute-by-Minute Ratings

1. EliteXC on CBS (5/31/2008): Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson: 7.281 million viewers (Aired from 11:27 PM to 11:40 PM)

2. UFC: The Final Chapter on Spike TV (10/10/2006): Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock: 6.524 million viewers (Aired from 9:42 PM to 9:45 PM)

3. EliteXC on CBS (10/4/2008): Seth Petruzelli vs. Kimbo Slice: 6.451 million viewers (Aired from 11:08 PM to 11:08 PM)

4. EliteXC on CBS (5/31/2008): Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith: 5.867 million viewers (Aired from 10.39 PM to 10:57 PM)

5. UFC 75 on Spike TV (9/8/2007): Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson: 5.811 million viewers (Aired from 11:29 PM to 12:03 AM)

6. EliteXC on CBS (5/31/2008): Gina Carano vs. Kaitlin Young: 5.508 million viewers (Aired from 10:09 PM to 10:17 PM)

7. UFC 75 on Spike TV (9/8/2007): Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill: 5.475 million viewers (Aired from 10:41 PM to 11:06 PM)

8. Strikeforce on CBS (11/7/2009): Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers: 5.467 million viewers (Aired from 11:01 PM to 11:09 PM)

9. EliteXC on CBS (10/4/2008): Jake Shields vs. Paul Daley: 5.338 million viewers (Aired from 10:34 PM to 10:44 PM)

10. EliteXC on CBS (10/4/2008): Gina Carano vs. Kelly Kobold: 5.171 million viewers (Aired from 9:45 PM to 9:59 PM)

[JeremyHight]

Wasn't it a live telecast coast to coast? I thought those were awful when rated overnight, even the link in the second post says the same. Well, it probably didn't matter much, its not like there are a lot of fight fans on the west coast...

[EmpireWF]

Wasn't it a live telecast coast to coast? I thought those were awful when rated overnight, even the link in the second post says the same. Well, it probably didn't matter much, its not like there are a lot of fight fans on the west coast...

Yes, no staggered feed. West coast got the show at 6pm.

[Liquidrob]

I think it's safe to say that if Kimbo was ever on Cops it would do 10 million viewers

[Liquidrob]

Crazy they didn't even get kimbo on cbs or spike numbers, what's that say about the UFC HW title?

[clovett]

Disappointed this didn't draw better. I know a few people are excited it didn't do well, but not me. I'm a big MMA fan and was hoping this opened the door to more UFC on free tv.

[EmpireWF]

Disappointed this didn't draw better. I know a few people are excited it didn't do well, but not me. I'm a big MMA fan and was hoping this opened the door to more UFC on free tv.

This won't effect the amount of free UFC. They will still do 4 more Fox shows in 2012 along with a series of shows on FX and Fuel (those will suck since I don't get Fuel).

Now I can't wait to see how well the 2nd Fox show does, assuming it won't have a title fight at all. Hopefully they can build on this number.

[Warner2BruceTD]

It's looking like 5.7 million now with west coast estimates adjusted.

[EmpireWF]

meltzer

This is based on the fast nationals, so it's an approximation, particularly when it comes to the West Coast because the show didn't air in prime time.

3.1 rating

5.7 million viewers

The actual rating will be available on Monday or Tuesday.

Everyone is happy with the number given there was only one minute of fighting.

[JeremyHight]

Wouldn't that put it around the 5-6th most watched MMA event of all time? Pretty surprising considering it was a single fight. Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be considering it had no lead in, whether it be fights or a big show beforehand.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I scooped Big Dave, why don't you trust my numbers, Empire? Why?

[StealthShot]

Well there was only one fight on FOX which hurt the whole situation IMO. When they have a fight on FOX will it be one fight again?

[EmpireWF]

I scooped Big Dave, why don't you trust my numbers, Empire? Why?

Unless you're Mr. Nielsen...

[Warner2BruceTD]

Well there was only one fight on FOX which hurt the whole situation IMO. When they have a fight on FOX will it be one fight again?

They will never do a one fight show ever again. That will validate that this was a mistake. So no matter what Dana says, he didn't like the idea, but he isn't about to call out the FOX people publicly at this stage of the game.

The bigger problem here is that new viewers and casual fans saw that fight as a boxing like ripoff. Had they shown another fight, a new viewer would have seen some variety. You only get on chance to make that first impression.

Unless you're Mr. Nielsen...

I SCOOPED BIG DAVE NOW HIT THE THANKS BUTTON

[Liquidrob]

Glad the numbers are better, but it came off like seth vs kimbo

Hendo vs Silva II, GSP vs Diaz, The REEM vs JDS