Bellator MMA: Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice sets promotional ratings record

  • F4W Staff
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By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

In a story that tells a great deal about what the casual fight fan wants to see, last Friday’s Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock Bellator MMA main event ended up as the second most watched fight so far on cable television in 2015, and the most watched show in the promotion’s history.

The peak quarter hour did 2.1 million viewers, and the fight itself is likely to do well above that when the information is available.

The 1.58 million viewers for the three hour show trailed only the Jan. 17 UFC: Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver Fox Sports One show (2.75 million viewers) as the highest rated MMA event on cable so far this year.

Bellator’s prior record was 1.24 million viewers for a complete show and 1.84 million for a peak quarter, set on 11/15 for the Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar show, the first “tentpole” event since new CEO Scott Coker took over.