“The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights” Premiere Smashed The Series’ Ratings Record
The tenth season of the UFC’s reality show, “The Ultimate Fighter” debuted last night following “Ultimate Fight Night 19″ and smashed the series’ previous ratings record or 2.8 million for the finale of season three in 2006. The premiere episode of “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights” brought in a jaw dropping 4.1 million viewers, and became the highest rated original show in Spike’s history, according to a Spike TV press release.
The release went on to say that,
“The Spike TV telecast bested all competition on television in the advertiser-coveted demographics of Men 18-34, M18-49, M18-24, M25-34 including the highly-promoted network originals “The Jay Leno Show,” “America’s Got Talent” season finale, “Glee,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and the premiere of “Beautiful Life.”
Overall, the record-breaking Spike TV telecast drew a 5.3 rating (1.5 million) in Men 18-34, a 4.3 in M18-49 (2.4 million), a 2.9 household rating and 4.1 million total viewers.
“The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights” features top light heavyweights Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans as coaches. The roster of fighter vying for the title of “The Ultimate Fighter” includes notable veteran Roy Nelson, internet sensation Kimbo Slice, as well as a handful of former NFL players.
Tags: kimbo slice, Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans
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Wow, simply amazing numbers. I wonder how many of those viewers were completly let down when watching the fight, if you could call it a fight. I know I was, there was all this hype and then the first fight was a flop. That guy looked like he had no idea what to do or what was going on. The bright side of this is that the fights can only get better.
In a counter-programming move, it has been announced that Bob Arum will be guest-starring on next weeks “So You Think You Can Dance”
Totally agree with you EtherBunny. Is it me or the guy was just laying down on the ground getting him self in trouble? What the hell? His cut was disgusting.
And what the hell happens when the round started and then they were gonna tap each other hands to say “have a good round” and then, the wrestling fighter just fake it and took him down right away. What a cheap shot!
Yeah the fight was boring but I’ve seen worse fights. Not every fight will be a barn burner and these guys are the show to become better more entertaining fighters.
While its a shame that the fight didn’t measure up to the ratings, overall the show was pretty entertaining IMO, and thats the deal here, right?
MMA is almost incidental to the process when it comes to a reality competition show like TUF, just like the cooking almost becomes incidental to the process on a show like Top Chef.
These shows tend to be all about the drama, the personalities, and the build-up.
The pay-off is almost secondary, but fortunately with TUF the fights generally do get better, as the non-fighters are pretty quickly weeded out from the fighters.
Gratz to the UFC for yet another stunning success…
Can someone who knows explain to me why a fighter like Brock Lesnar who is super huge can go in and not tank but some of these guys with similar physique’s crap out after like 2 minutes.
Is Brock just super endurance man? He has to be cutting like 30 lbs or something right? Shouldnt that be sapping some of his stamina?
Im sure endurance training plays a part but I hope someone can shed some light on this for me. It seems to play a major part in most HW fights that go beyond 1.5 rounds.
I think maybe part of the reason Brock’s stamina is so good is from his pro-wrestling days. If I remember correctly from when I was 12, it’s not uncommon for matches to go 15 minutes straight. And picking up guys to suplex, body slam, etc. is hard work even though it’s fake. I don’t think anyone would argue that pro wrestlers aren’t in great shape.
In addition I’d add that Lesnar is both a championship caliber amateur wrestler AND considered something of a physical freak even amongst his fellow silverbacks when it comes to his athleticism and stamina…
Brock trains plain and simple. He trains to be the best . U can hear it in his voice even when he is putting on some gimmick schick. Love him or hate him, he has desire and fire to know what he needs to have to be on top.
lots of viewers…if i was Dana white i would try to keep Kimbo from fighting until as late as possible, no doubt half of the viewers tuning in are only doing so to watch Slice.
Since Rashad will have the 3rd pick of fights (1 down 1 to go before he picks), I will be surprised if he doesnt pick Kimbo. His guys are going to want to fight him.
Even while tying this though, I know Rashad is a smart dude and may decide being on a show with Kimbo is better for him than not and he may wait.
I can see it going either way.
doesn’t Rashad get to pick the next one cause Rampage lost?
And yeah,waiting to put Kimbo up would probly be smart.but it probly won’t happen with so many guys just itching to get at him.
Rampage gets to pick the first two, but because he already lost the first one, Rashad gets control for the third fight. That was my understanding of how it would work anyways.