MMA Junkie reports the ratings for the UFC 154 FX Prelims. In addition, MMA Payout has ratings for the 3rd episode of UFC Primetime. Both ratings are disappointing considering the anticipated return of GSP and the hopes of a good PPV buy rate for UFC 154.
The UFC 154 FX Prelims garnered an average of 980,000 viewers which is lower than the UFC 153 Prelims in October. It is also lower than the 1.2 million average for the UFC Prelims on FX.
The third episode of UFC Primetime airing Friday night received a dismal 337,000 viewer average. The three part series featured GSP and Carlos Condit as they prepared for their bout on Saturday night.
Payout Perspective:
If the attendance and gate were indications that UFC 154 might not meet UFC expectations, the ratings for the Prelims and the last episode of UFC Primetime provide more evidence that UFC 154 may have not performed as had hoped despite the return of GSP. Although there are only rumors of the PPV buy rate, the UFC had hoped for a PPV lift with GSP on the card and all indications point to a disappointing PPV buy rate.
Well i for one completely understand if the PPV buys for this event flop. I can not believe how much and how fast the UFC is losing control of its fighters. Why are they letting fighters pick and choose when and who they fight? Dana needs to start taking a my way or the highway approach. Condit gets a interim title. Ok thats fine. But whats the point of an interim title if you never defend it? If they were going to allow him to wait for GSP the interim title should have never been handed out. So what we got was a PPV headlined by 2 guys who were out of the spotlight for 18 months and 10 months. How did they expect anyone to care when noone has seen any reason to care in almost a year from either guy?
Its an even bigger head scrather when you realize Condit was able to sit on his ass with only 1 win over a ranked fighter and it wasnt a pretty fight. So how is he able to sit and wait as if he just cleaned out the division which imo had 4 equally deserving guys. Maybe people would have cared if he looked to actually be a credible opponent rather than scraping by and sitting on the sideline for 10 months.
If these guiys are that damn scared to lose. Do they really deserve a title shot? Thats sends me the message that they are over rated and they ran off a couple fluke wins and they know they are not #1 contender material and trying to cash in so they refuse other fights. If you are that damn scared to fight a contender then dont be asking for no damn champion.
I wanted this fight for a long time. I thought Condit would be GSPs toughest fight because Condit is so scrappy from all positions. GSP would be forced to work and fights all 25 minutes. BUt by the time the fight happened i didnt care. Hendricks and Ellenburger had already passed Condit as bigger threats to GSP in my book before this event. I was 10 times more interested in seeing Hendricks vs Kampman than it was the main event. Why was i supposed to care? If Condit would have used that time to take out a Kos, Hendricks, Fitch, or a decisive win over Ellenburger or Kampman. A real win over any of those guys might have done wonders for this event.
Read an article today saying the PPV sales has dropped 26%. Not surprised the TV numbers are down as well.
Brainsmasher translation: I apologize for yet another FAILURE. I’m really sorry.
sampson,
you are correct sir.
man the UFC really is dying. if the top star is this big a failure and the new up and coming stars can’t sell a ppv either then the next few years are gonna be a disaster for ufc. perhaps fatal.
Ratings would be better if you would take time out from watching “The View” to catch some fights. Turn some of that estrogen into testosterone. God knows you need it because you been acting like a bitch lately!