Last week, Strikeforce kicked their promotional efforts for their much anticipated Heavyweight Grand Prix into overdrive. Today, MMA’s other promotion and Showtime were rewarded for their efforts as they posted record-setting numbers.
“Strikeforce: Silva vs. Fedor” featured the quarterfinals matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Silva. Overall, Saturday’s broadcast averaged 741,000 viewers and peaked with 1.1 million during the main event.
According to MMAJunkie, both numbers are Strikeforce highs for Showtime.
In regards to the key demographics, they averaged a 2.12 among Males 18-49, a 2.35 among Males 18-34. During Emelianenko’s scrap, Strikeforce notched a 3.19 among Men 18-49 and a 3.55 among Men 18-34.
Of the 10 bouts that took place inside the IZOD Center in New Jersey this weekend, nine ended before the final horns sounded.
“Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg” in August 2009 was the previous record holder. The show featured the highly anticipated contest between Gina Carano and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos. That event averaged 576,000 viewers and peaked with 856,000.