Examining TUF 10's Ratings

This week's episode of The Ultimate Fighter marked a low point for the ratings. The episode drew 2.4 million viewers and was the number one rated program for men 18-34.

Here's a ratings break down for each episode courtesy of MMA Junkie.

- Episode No. 1: 4.1 million viewers - Season premiere with Ultimate Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard lead in.
- Episode No. 2: 2.9 million viewers
- Episode No. 3: 5.3 million viewers - Kimbo Slice vs. Roy Nelson
- Episode No. 4: 2.8 million viewers
- Episode No. 5: 2.8 million viewers
- Episode No. 6: 2.8 million viewers
- Episode No. 7: 2.5 million viewers
- Episode No. 8: 2.5 million viewers
- Episode No. 9: 2.4 million viewers
- Episode No. 10: 2.4 million viewers - head-to-head with WEC 44*
- Episode No. 11&12: 2.6 million viewers**
- Fianle: 3.7 million viewers***

The ratings from the tenth season are interesting on several levels. First, they quantify Kimbo Slice's enormous drawing power. There are few fighters in MMA today, if any at all, who can cause an increase in viewership by over 2 million, on cable! Hate him or love him Kimbo Slice brings eyes to the television.

That being said Kimbo is only so effective at generating ratings. Spike has not stopped running promos teasing the return of Kimbo yet each week viewership is dropping. Why is this occurring? Could it be that Kimbo fans are slowly turning away as they realize his second chance may never come? Or is it an indictment on the quality of the fights themselves, which so far have been horrible.

The story of TUF 10 isn't over yet --not to mention the fact that +2 million viewers is an excellent haul for any cable network-- the ratings could rebound or they could continue to drop. We won't know until next month.

*- updated with episode 10's ratings.

**- updated with episode 11 and 12's ratings. Both episodes were shown back to back.

***- updated with Finale's ratings.