UFC On FOX 17 drew an average of 2,781,000 viewers on ‘big’ FOX this past Saturday night. That’s right in line with the UFC’s other December shows on FOX in both 2013 and 2014.
That might be something of a disappointment though given that the lightweight title was on the line with popular fighter Donald Cerrone involved, while high profile heavyweights Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos also battled it out in the co-main event.
Also, after a series of high profile events, including Ronda Rousey’s loss at UFC 193 and Conor McGregor’s win at UFC 194 – both major PPV successes that, in the case of the former in particular attracted mainstream attention – there may be have been some hope that momentum would carry on to the FOX show, though at the same time last week’s three events in three nights may have delivered some level of fatigue amonst viewers.
However, there were other factors at play which may have held back the ratings on this occasion, including the New York Jets Vs Dallas Cowboys game which aired at the same time on the NFL network drawing over 7 million viewers, while there was also the small matter of it being broadcast during opening weekend for the new Star Wars movie which is breaking all kinds of box office records.
Earlier in the evening the UFC On FOX 17 prelims headlined by Myles Jury Vs Charles Oliveira drew 693,000 viewers on FOX Sports 1, slightly up on the last two Decembeer FOX cards.
