Bellator MMA 159 on Friday night drew 668,000 viewers per Sports TV Ratings. It’s an approximately 17% increase from last week’s tape delay event from London.
Bellator 159 featured Darrion Caldwell taking on Joe Taimanglo in the main event. Taimanglo scored the upset with a submission victory over Caldwell. The event on Friday night drew 283,000 viewers in the adult 18-49 category per Sports TV Ratings.
The event, which aired from 9-11:12pm ET, was the highest rated live sports event on cable Friday. Notably, it drew better than US Women’s Soccer on ESPN Friday night.
Also of note, UFC Weigh-Ins on FS1 drew 73,000 viewers and Glory Kickboxing on ESPN2 drew 11-1:25am drew 196,000 viewers and 122,000 in the adult 18-49 demo.
Also of note from last week, Bellator 158 London drew 640,000 viewers and peaked at 941,000 viewers on Spike TV. The tape-delayed event originally drew 556,000 viewers so there was an approximate increase of 14% from overnight (Live +SD) to the DVR + 3 numbers.
Payout Perspective:
The ratings reflect a nice rebound from Bellator. On a card without a big name on it, the event drew a healthy audience.
decent numbers for bellator. Id like to see them raise it a bit, lure some more talent away from UFC.
Both UFC and Bellator are producing steady numbers on TV. I think that’s a good sign. I would like to see the numbers grow, but I the days of rapid growth are gone. If the levels at which we are today can sustain both organizations (meaning they turn a profit) then that’s half the battle won.
The other half is increasing fighter pay.