The DVR numbers for Bellator 149 this past Friday reflect higher ratings for the Kimbo Slice-Dada 5000 fight as the fight between the two drew 2.9 million viewers. The Royce Gracie-Ken Shamrock fight drew 2.7 million viewers.
Overall, Bellator 149 drew 2.2 million viewers for the 3 hour fight card. Kimbo-Dada drew 2.9 million from 11:16pm-11:30pm ET. It was the most-watched fight in Bellator history. Gracie-Shamrock drew 2.7 million viewers from 11:54pm-11:57pm ET.
In addition, the Benson Henderson special which aired after Bellator 149 drew 864,000 viewers.
Payout Perspective:
With almost 3 million viewers, the numbers reflect that Slice is a ratings magnet. It also tells us that despite the actual fight, Slice will be back in the Bellator cage.
Wow, that is crazy. Very impressive.
great ratings just wish casuals were not watching crappy no cardio fighting
Its not about the ufc brand its about the fighters…..hahahaha…
I agree with Tops
Surprising Joe
better than UFC on Fox numbers.
Not true, but it was a huge number for spiketv.
@ jjjjjj_ffffff “better than UFC on Fox numbers.”
Actually, no, they are on the UFC on Fox average:
http://mmapayout.com/2016/01/ufc-on-fox-18-draws-2-43m-in-overnight-ratings/
Great ratings with people who think Ronda is the most dominant athlete in the world.
Kimbos one of the biggest stars in MMA.
Kimbo is probably the biggest draw in all of MMA…it goes to show you that in this sport, you do not have to be the best to draw the highest numbers. I think Bellator understands that and it is why they have pulled higher numbers than many of the UFC cards by comparison Kimbo is probably the worst mma fighter on the main stage I might add. The fans dont care though and its all about numbers….
Kimbo is not the highest draw in mma, not really even close either. Shamrock-Gracie almost hit the same number his fight did also on the same card and was the headliner.
I seem to remember celebrity boxing pulling in big numbers when they tried that platform. Same principal.
Also, Kimbo Slice does 4x what PBC does on the same channel.
Kimbo is a modern-day sports folk hero. It is more about his back story than his fighting ability and that is refreshing because even as his age hits his mid-40s he will still be a draw.
Kimbo is easily a top 5 draw in MMA and you’re lying to yourself if you say hes not.
Kimbo Slice would be a top 5 draw in boxing, not mma though. If Kimbo Slice was put on a ppv against dada, the fight would probably only generate about 300k buys. Or to flip the switch, if we are talking about UFC fighters on Spike, McGregor, Rousey, Silva, Weidman-Rockhold, Cruz, Velasquez-Werdum, Jones, etc. would all outdraw him. Keep in mind, once again, this fight had Shamrock-Gracie headlining it which brought in a lot of interest on its own.
Kimbo Slice fights on HBO and he is probably the no 2 draw for boxing and sadly this isn’t some exaggeration like what you used.