The UFC 155 preliminary card averaged 1.4 million viewers during Saturday’s broadcast on the FX network, according to an industry source.
That figure represents a slight increase from the UFC on Fox 5 prelims, which drew an average of 1.2 million viewers to FX on Dec. 8. UFC 148 remains the high-water mark for an FX preliminary card, attracting an audience of 1.8 million to the network on July 7.
UFC 155 took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and was headlined by a heavyweight title bout between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Velasquez took a dominant five-round verdict to recapture the belt and avenge a November 2011 loss to dos Santos.
The event’s two hour preliminary card featured four contests and was highlighted by Eddie Wineland’s unanimous decision triumph over Brad Pickett in a key bantamweight affair. The prelims also saw Jackson’s MMA product Erik Perez earn his third straight first-round triumph in the Octagon, as he stopped Byron Bloodworth 3:50 into the opening frame of their 135-pound tussle.
Earlier, former WEC titlist Jamie Varner garnered a split-decision nod over Melvin Guillard, while “The Ultimate Fighter 15” alumnus Myles Jury controlled Blackzilians export Michael Johnson for three rounds to take a unanimous decision.
