Bellator 131 peaks @ 2 million viewers

The UFC Hall of Famers, who headlined this past Saturday’s heavily promoted Bellator 131 event, helped Spike TV draw an average audience of 1.2 million viewers for the night’s broadcast.

More specifically, the headliner, which took place at San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center and saw Ortiz earn a split-decision victory, averaged 1.8 million viewers and hit a high of 2 million.

According to Spike TV, the record-setting event is the most-watched and highest–rated MMA fight on cable TV in 2014. It’s also the highest rated event in Bellator history.

“Bellator 131 was an incredible event that had something for everybody, and I’m thrilled to see our efforts were so well-received by our fans,” Bellator President Scott Coker stated. “I’m very proud of our entire Bellator and Spike family for all of the hard work they put resulting in these record-breaking ratings. The most exciting thing for me is the knowledge that that we are just getting started, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store for the future.”

According to Spike TV, the Ortiz-Bonnar headliner is also the second highest-rated MMA fight telecast in all of TV among men 18-34 and men 18-49 in 2014. That includes network-televised UFC on FOX events.

In addition to Ortiz vs. Bonnar, which received the bulk of the event’s promotional muscle, Bellator 131 saw Will Brooks defeat former champ Michael Chandler to win the organization’s undisputed lightweight title, which Eddie Alvarez vacated earlier this year when signing with the UFC.

Bellator wrapped up its 11th season with Saturday’s event. Overall, the Season 11 events averaged 724,000 viewers.

As a comparison, Saturday’s UFC 180 prelims on FOX Sports 1 reportedly drew 624,000 viewers, and WSOF 15 on NBCSN drew 179,000.

fka wrote:Anybody seen stu????

stu3ufc wrote:2 million people watching a bunch of mismatches for the company favourites i.e king mo

they keep throwing him bums

typical rich chou match making

fka wrote:Don't waste your time stus a straight hater and is scrambling fir something negative to say ....

Whens the last time cage warriors did 2 million viewers? ???

This was the 2nd highest rated mma event OF THE ENTIRE YEAR and set a new bellator record ALL TIME including your favorite bjorn rebneys tournaments and ppv attempts.

Rocksoldier84 wrote:Beat Mousasi when he was on a 15 fight unbeaten streak. Zayats is a good fighter. Losing to Newton and Rampage is nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sure there's some he can beat.

Hamilcar wrote:If I'm not mistaken, 2 million tops all MMA events of all time, right?  UFC 100 was the top viewed event, before, with 1.6 million.
So, this would bring BELLAFORCE to the top!  Even if it is not the most viewed MMA event of all time (if Pride or something else holds the record) this would certainly beat the UFC's record.