John Morgan of MMA Junkie reports that The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale on Saturday night scored 1.705 million viewers. Morgan reported the TUF 17 Finale was the number 1 cable show in the 18-49 male demo.
Notably, Morgan reported that the number 1 network programming at the time was NASCAR on Fox.
The TUF 16 Finale in December received a 1.3 million viewers and TUF Live in June received just 1 million viewers.
Payout Perspective:
Strong ratings when compared to the last 2 TUF Finales on FX. The added hype of the women fighting for a spot to coach opposite Ronda Rousey and TUF competitor Uriah Hall were reasons why there were more viewers. The interesting thing is that neither one was in the main event which was headlined by Urijah Faber. A good swan song for the TUF franchise on FX.
Sampson Simpson says
It’s a show meant to stabilize the fan base of the UFC.
It works even though ratings aren’t what they used to be. A core group of fanatics have content to ingest and it keeps them eating up storylines.
Chris says
Good numbers, very smart moving all content off Friday nights. Think the hype for the finale, the Tate/Cat fight played into this.
the Sat Fox show is what interests me, as good or better than the last two yet without the NFL push this card has gotten no push behind it. I figured they woudl say the spring/summer shows for contender fights, prospects knowing they probably wont get great ratings without the NFL push.
Save the big title fights/cards for Dec/Jan events.
Add in you have the start of the NBA playoffs, probably wont get as high ratings as the last two shows did. Shame since this card is just as good.
The Fox 8 event is what I figured they would do, Rory/Jake, Tarec/Lawler, Melvin. Those are fights thats are good and showcase prospects like Tarec and Rory.
I can see Mighty Mouse/Moraga main event because it would bomb as a PPV main event so even if you only got 2.5 million to watch thats still better than PPV or FX.
But big title fights like Bendo shouldnt be on in the Spring/Summer. We’ll see though, if this card holds its own like the last two without the NFL push thats a great sign, just dont see it happening.
Expect 3 mill average and maybe 4.5 mill peak.
Diego says
It was a good night for MMA on what turned out to be a horrible night for boxing. Rigo-Donaire was a snooze-fest.
Weezy02 says
“It was a good night for MMA on what turned out to be a horrible night for boxing. Rigo-Donaire was a snooze-fest.”
I agree it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, but hardcore boxing fans have to give it up to Rigondeaux. In my opinion that dude might be the most underrated boxer in the world. His talent level is off the charts. You’re right, though, that Saturday’s fight was probably too methodical for the taste of most fight fans. The show averaged 1.1 million viewers, per reports I heard yesterday.
Machiel Van says
Got to agree with Diego, the Rigo-Donaire fight was indeed a snooze-fest. I think part of the problem is that being an MMA fan has adjusted my expectations for boxing to an unrealistic degree.
Machiel Van says
It’s also why I can never watch baseball anymore 🙁
Sampson Simpson says
Rios-Alvarado II & Bradley-Provodnikov had more action than any MMA bout of the past 100 years.
That’s a fact Michelle
adder says
“Rios-Alvarado II & Bradley-Provodnikov had more action than any MMA bout of the past 100 years.”
so true
Machiel Van says
Uh, I was at Shogun vs Hendo live, so no.
Sampson Simpson says
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! You’re comparing Shogun-Hendo to Bradley-Provodnikov. SMFH at brainwashed ladies.
It wasn’t a bad fight but hardly action packed
Weezy02 says
“HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! You’re comparing Shogun-Hendo to Bradley-Provodnikov. SMFH at brainwashed ladies.
It wasn’t a bad fight but hardly action packed.”
Personally, I really enjoyed watching both fights tremendously. For those that think that Rua-Henderson had much less action, though:
Bradley-Provodnikov statistical breakdown
Bradley strikes landed:347
Bradley strikes landed per minute in the fight: 9.6
Provodnikov strikes landed: 218
Provodnikov strikes landed per minute in the fight: 6.1
Fighters combined for 15.7 strikes landed per minute (or a strike landed every 3.8 seconds)
Rua-Henderon statistical breakdown
Rua strikes landed: 191
Rua strikes landed per minute in the fight: 12.7
Henderson strikes landed: 113
Henderson strikes landed per minute in the fight: 7.5
Fighters combined for 20.3 strikes landed per minutes (or a strike landed every 3.0 seconds)
Weezy02 says
Sorry, Henderson-Rua combined for 12.2 strikes landed per minute (or a strike landed every 4.9 seconds). Very comparable to Bradley-Provodnikov, especially given that the work rate of 205 pound fighters is usually substantially less than that of their 147 pound counterparts.
Sampson Simpson says
Get the hell outta here with that bullshit hick boy.
Bradley threw 1000 punches in the fight. Provodnikov through 676. The real fighters went 12 rounds, not that 5 round crap.
MMA guys land punches because they can’t avoid them. They’re too stupid and inept.
Weezy02 says
“Get the hell outta here with that bullshit hick boy.
Bradley threw 1000 punches in the fight. Provodnikov through 676. The real fighters went 12 rounds, not that 5 round crap.
MMA guys land punches because they can’t avoid them. They’re too stupid and inept.”
……..said the frightened weakling.