‘TUF 16’ Episode 8 Matches Season-High Ratings, Draws 1.1 Million Viewers to FX

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Episode 8 of “The Ultimate Fighter 16” drew an average of 1.1 million viewers to FX this past Friday, according to an industry source.

That figure marks a significant increase from the audience of 676,000 that tuned in for the seventh episode on Oct. 26 and matched the season-high ratings of Episode 4, when “TUF” immediately followed UFC on FX 5.

The one-hour show saw Team Nelson’s Jon Manley advance to the quarterfinals with a first-round submission victory against Team Carwin member James Chaney.

“The Ultimate Fighter” began airing on Spike in 2005 and remained on the network through last year. When the Ultimate Fighting Championship joined forces with Fox, the series moved to FX in 2012. “TUF 15” was the first iteration of the reality series to feature live fights at the end of each show, but the UFC has returned to the taped format for the current season.

Featuring former interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin and “TUF 10” winner Roy Nelson as coaches, “TUF 16” began with 32 welterweights vying for a six-figure UFC contract. Carwin and Nelson -- along with the 170-pound finalists -- will square off at the show’s finale on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas.