In a strict viewership sense, the edited encore presentation of UFC 100 on Spike TV this weekend dominated the live Strikeforce “Carano vs. Cyborg” event on Showtime.
Headlined by the Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir match that led UFC 100 to the biggest buyrate in mixed martial arts history, the Spike TV special averaged a 1.5 rating with 2 million viewers. The top sporting event in the male 18-34 demographic Saturday, the special was immensely successful–despite being an encore of the July show (with three unaired preliminary bouts added), its household rating topped the numbers for many first-run live “fight night” events.
But, while the Strikeforce show could not produce a viewership count in the range of the UFC special, it was still immensely successful for Showtime. With a Strikeforce-best average viewership total of 576,000 viewers, the show peaked with 856,000 for the Gina Carano vs. Cris “Cyborg” Santos main event.
Since Showtime is available in significantly fewer homes than Spike TV, the Strikeforce event’s household rating was actually higher than that for the UFC event–it drew a 1.8 with a 2.9 for the final match.
The numbers are such that both parties will be able to spin the data in their favor. Though Strikeforce can argue that its program scored a higher rating (it reached a higher portion of available homes), the demographics of those who subscribe to Strikeforce might invalidate the comparison. If Showtime disproportionately attracts fight fans due to its boxing and MMA events, then it would be unfair to act as if Spike TV truly has four to five times the possible viewing audience. Plus, by scoring more total viewers for an encore event, UFC definitely has a solid case for claiming its dominance.
Ignoring the UFC vs. Strikeforce war, the Saturday ratings do prove two things: that UFC 100 truly was a phenomenon for the sport and that female MMA fighters can indeed draw.