UFC MAJOR NEWS – Demetrious Johnson & John Dodson UPDATE

FOX UFC SATURDAY delivered a knock-out blow to the network’s prime time competition on Jan. 26, powering FOX to an easy first place finish across key male and adult demographics, including the standard prime time measure of Adults 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research.

FOX’s sixth ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP event posted a 2.4/4 average household rating/share, with 4.2 million viewers, with the audience swelling to 5.2 million for the main event between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson. FOX UFC SATURDAY out-rated the combined averages of ABC, CBS, and NBC among Men 18-34 (.8 vs. 3.0), Men 18-49 (1.5 vs. 3.0), Adults 18-34 (1.1 vs. 2.2) and Adults 18-49 (2.0 vs. 2.1). The 3.0 rating for Men 18-34marks a +7% improvement over the 2.8 recorded in that demo for the last UFC on FOX card in December, made more notable given that the December event ran 20 minutes longer.

Saturday night’s card opened with a 1.9/3, with 3.4 million viewers for the Erik Koch – Ricardo Lamas bout. The evening’s second fight between Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis averaged a 2.0/4, with 3.5 million viewers, followed by the light heavyweight match between Rampage Jackson and Glover Teixeira which averaged a 2.5/4 (4.4 million viewers). The Johnson – Dodson flyweight title bout capped the night with a 3.1/5 and 5.2 million viewers. The main event also posted solid ratings among the younger males, averaging a 3.5 for both Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 which would rank itthird for the week in prime among Men 18-34 (behind the NFL Pro-Bowl and Family Guy) and fifth among Men 18-49.

Louisville led all markets with a 5.4/9. followed by Tulsa (4.7/8), Columbus, OH (4.4/7), Charlotte (4.3/7) and Sacramento (4.1/8). Host market Chicago recorded an above average 2.8/5. The next FOX UFC SATURDAY event airs April 20 (8:00 PM ET) and is highlighted by lightweight champion Benson Henderson defending his title against Gilbert Melendez live from the HP Pavilion from San Jose, CA.