UFC 70: “Nations Collide” registered a 1.84 television rating with an average of 2.8 million viewers tuning in during the three-hour special on the Spike television network this past Saturday, according FigureFourWeekly.com.
It was the second highest-rated UFC special in history behind the train wreck that was Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock: “The Final Chapter” in October 2006.
(That event drew about 4.2 million on Spike TV and peaked at 5.7 million viewers.)
And, according to NBCSports.com, the tape-delayed broadcast from Manchester, England, attracted more fans in the coveted demographic — males aged 18-34 — than NASCAR (the Subway Fresh 500), the NBA playoffs (aired on ESPN) and FOX baseball (Yankees vs. Red Sox; Cardinals vs. Cubs) that same evening.
During the main event between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Gabriel Gonzaga, the ratings peaked at 3.5 million viewers, according to the Canadian Press.
Considering that the results were available online hours before the show aired here in the Untied States, the ratings seem solid.
Hopefully — with the success of UFC 70 — the UFC makes good on its recent statements to also air UFC 72 on Spike, which is slated for Belfast, Ireland, on June 16.
However, the firepower on that card is nowhere near “Nations Collide” caliber.
Even still, I’ll sure as hell tune in.
21 Comments »
Only thing that sucked was the commercial interuptions. It was tollerable becuase it was FREE! Looking forward to 72 on Spike, although I hope they add another headliner. Big Nog/Vera would be great
The commercials and the non Machida fight. Otherwise it was fine!
Yeah, to many commercials. I guess with the next one I’ll go in realizing that it’s going to take 3 hours.
Your right! What the hell happen to Machida fight?
The Machida fight was bumped because of the lack of action. Frankly they could have shortened the whole show to about 2-3 fights as a result of lack of action.
It always takes three hours with the same number of fights. There may have been commercials but at least there wasnt 10 million promos for upcoming events.
[quote comment=”44272″]The Machida fight was bumped because of the lack of action. Frankly they could have shortened the whole show to about 2-3 fights as a result of lack of action.[/quote]
The Machida fight was really that slow?? Wow! I was expecting alot more out of that one. They could of cut some of these commercials and threw it in. Although slow atleast we could of seen it.
[quote post=”1927″]The Machida fight was bumped because of the lack of action. [/quote]
Yes, and I think it was a last-minute decision because the trailers showed Machida and Heath, no?
Apparently, the last three minutes of the fight was the only action.
Machidas last 2 or 3 fights have gone the same way.
But yeah for the quality of fighters the fights sucked IMO, particularly AA - Werdum.
It reminded me of AA - Sylvia 3.
Bring back Frank Edgar god dammit!
Edgar vs Ken Flo for next title shot after Franca-Sherk.
I was at UFC 70 and the best fight behind Bisping was unfortunately not shown. It was between Paul Taylor and Ediberto Crocota.
A real shame it wasn’t shown as Paul Taylor gave an exceptional performance and was a real scrap!
UFC Mania why does the NBC link you have claim that it drew a 4.36 rating and your post says 1.84, which one is accurate?
Please add NOG vs Vera on the 72 card!
[quote comment=”44344″]UFC Mania why does the NBC link you have claim that it drew a 4.36 rating and your post says 1.84, which one is accurate?[/quote]
I added those links to give readers more stories to read on the subject. In the process I realize there are conflicting reports.
The 1.84 television rating and 2.8 million viewers is the average for the three-hour slot. The viewership PEAKED to 3.5 million during the main event.
Im not sure where NBC got its numbers. I was more interested in the fact that it bested Nascar, MLB, etc.
A release from Spike TV confirms the reports from the Canadian Press and F4W.
Hope that helps.
[quote comment=”44393″]Please add NOG vs Vera on the 72 card![/quote]
Sure. Just give me a source.
Too bad its all goin to HBO. I cant wait for Cro Cop vs. the undertaker tho
[quote post=”1927″]Bring back Frank Edgar god dammit!
Edgar vs Ken Flo for next title shot after Franca-Sherk[/quote]
Yeah but dosnt winner of Penn/Pulver get the next shot. I think thats what MMA Weekly is rumoring. I HOPE anyway. Penn all the way, KILL any lightweights.
72 Doesnt have the name recognition that 70 had, but if it follows recent trends it will end up being a great show. I thought 69 would flop but it shaped up to be a good PPV.
[quote comment=”44620″][quote post=”1927″]Bring back Frank Edgar god dammit!
Edgar vs Ken Flo for next title shot after Franca-Sherk[/quote]
Yeah but dosnt winner of Penn/Pulver get the next shot. I think thats what MMA Weekly is rumoring. I HOPE anyway. Penn all the way, KILL any lightweights.[/quote]
Penn is going back to Welterweight after this fight, he’s not going to go for the lightweight belt and have to defend.
B-mess:
Thanks for the info, where did you hear that? Cuz MMA weekly was rumoring that werent they?
On the Machida fight, what happened was the first 2 rounds they were trying to counter fight each other(it was like Gonzaga’s first fight) then on the last round Lyoto burst open with five knees then G’n'P for the rest of the round.