UFC on FOX 27 Does Record-Low Overnight Numbers

Last night’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was low on star power, and the overnight ratings would seem to reflect that accurately. According to a report from MMA Fighting, UFC on FOX 27 brought in 1.593,000 viewers and an 0.5 rating in the UFC’s […]

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Last night’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was low on star power, and the overnight ratings would seem to reflect that accurately.

According to a report from MMA Fighting, UFC on FOX 27 brought in 1.593,000 viewers and an 0.5 rating in the UFC’s targeted 18-49 demo. Those numbers resulted in an alarming 21-percent drop from last year’s UFC on FOX event, which featured Valentina Shevchenko submitting Julianna Pena in the main event, and a lofty 35 percent dropoff from the same show two years ago, where Anthony “Rumble” Johnson submitted Ryan Bader in the show’s headliner.

The figure breaks the record of the low for a FOX overnight rating that was previously held by last July’s UFC on FOX 22 where Chris Weidman submitted Kelvin Gastelum in the main event.

The figures aren’t a big surprise considering the lack of big personalities on the card, which featured some strong fights and finishes but really only featured Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, who stopped Derek Brunson in the main event, and the Brazilian grappling expert, who is only now beginning to speak English on the mic consistently, isn’t exactly a mainstream star just yet. For example, the event featured Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez in a featherweight co-main event, a solid Fight Night main card bout but not exactly a deserving co-main event for a big FOX-aired show.

It’s important to note that the numbers will be significantly higher when West Coast viewing is factored in, but it’s also important to note that UFC on FOX 27 may not enjoy as big a boost as this would normally provide because most FOX-aired cards end after 10 p.m. and get the biggest numbers when the main event is on. But this main event ended in the first round, the worst that could happen for overall numbers as the increase in final numbers did not have the time required to become a vast one.

Overall, it may have been expected in some sense, yet it’s still a concerning set of circumstances as the UFC heads into the negotiating period for their new television deal this year. It’s also shocking in some form after the Fight Night main event between Jeremy Stephens and Dooho Choi did the biggest number in almost two years just two weeks ago.

 

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Biggest Winners & Losers From UFC on FOX 27

While last night’s (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, may not have had the name recognition or overall excitement of last week’s UFC 220 pay-per-view and its two title fights, it was a solid card thanks to the performances of a few select – and elite […]

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While last night’s (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, may not have had the name recognition or overall excitement of last week’s UFC 220 pay-per-view and its two title fights, it was a solid card thanks to the performances of a few select – and elite – fighters.

The victors were obvious winners while defeat is never a good thing in the rare company of the UFC, but for some fighters at UFC on FOX 27, it was much more than a matter of simply winning or losing. For them, the ramifications of their fights would have both immediate and lasting impacts on their MMA careers, making the event a critical moment even if it wasn’t highly anticipated by the sport’s viewing public.

Let’s look back at the true biggest winners and losers from UFC on FOX 27.

Jeremy Brevard for USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Jacare Souza

An obvious choice based on his impressive first-round finish over a dangerous opponent in Derek Brunson, Jacare’s win meant so much more than just another victory on his already decorated MMA record.

Most feel he should have already gotten a title shot during his five-fight UFC win streak from 2012-2015, but in the notoriously tough middleweight landscape, there is small roomer for error and Jacare lost two bouts to Yoel Romero and champion Robert Whittaker. The dominant Brazilian jiu-jitsu master needed a win perhaps more than ever in his fighting career following a lengthy absence after Whittaker knocked him out last April and a serious pectoral tear surgery, as the window to truly contend was growing smaller for the 38-year-old vet.

Souza answered all the doubts about his status Saturday night, and he did so by showing his all-around game. Perhaps more so than any man at 185 pounds, Brunson was known for throwing caution to the wind and seeking to knock his opponent out in the first round – often to his benefit and sometimes to his detriment.

But it was Souza who scored the first-round knockout in this match-up, a rematch of their 2012 fight in Strikeforce which Souza also won by first-round stoppage, and he did it without rushing in or risking defeat in a spot where he needed a win. Jacare stalked Brunson like the true alligator his namesake would suggest patiently waits for their prey to make a mistake and head into the water, methodically picking the right time to unleash a vicious head kick that dropped Brunson.

A huge uppercut and some big hooks dropped Brunson a few more times, and although he later complained about the stoppage, it was a merciful one, one that cemented Jacare at the top of the supremely confusing middleweight title picture.

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UFC on FOX 27 Bonuses: Jacare & Bektic Bank $50,000 For Huge Knockouts

UFC on FOX 27 emanated tonight (Saturday, January 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. The night was headlined by a middleweight rematch between Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson. There would be no vengeance for Brunson. Jacare forced him to meet the same fate as their first meeting in Strikeforce in 2012, […]

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UFC on FOX 27 emanated tonight (Saturday, January 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. The night was headlined by a middleweight rematch between Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson.

There would be no vengeance for Brunson. Jacare forced him to meet the same fate as their first meeting in Strikeforce in 2012, this time via head kick and follow-up punches. Brunson bowed out 3:50 into the first round. The Wilmington, NC native charged forward behind powerful punches, but the Brazilian blocked many shots while landing stiff counter hooks. After one such exchange is when he found the finish. Jacare will bank an extra $50,000 for his Performance of the Night tonight.

On the prelims, top featherweight prospect Mirsad Bektic got back on the winning track against Godofredo Pepey. Bektic pressured the Brazilian in a more measured way than what we saw from him against Elkins, but he changed things just after the halfway point of the first round. He slammed a booming straight right hand into Pepey’s sternum and crumpled him. Follow-up shots were perfunctory. The ATT rep pockets an extra $50,000 for his Performance of the Night.

The Fight of the Night was obvious soon after it began. The main card opener between welterweight bangers Frank Camacho and Drew Dober played out exactly as many expected. The two men traded punches and kicks at an incredible pace for the duration, displaying otherworldly toughness in the process. Dober worked the body and legs in the first two rounds and it seemed to pay dividends as Camacho started breathing heavily around the halfway point. That barely slowed “The Crank”, though, who continued to head-hunt. Surprisingly, it was Camacho who owned the wrestling exchanges, but he maybe didn’t press it enough. Dober was the one consistently shooting, but Camacho stuffed nearly all of them and reversed into top position more often than not. But Dober very quickly got to his feet every time, resuming his standup attack. His ability to get up helped him eke out the decision, but both men will take home an extra $50,000.

Keep it locked to LowKickMMA for all your UFC Charlotte post-fight news, notes, and analysis.

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Drew Dober Takes Unanimous Decision Over Frank Camacho

Frank Camacho didn’t do enough to get past Drew Dober. The opening main card bout on the UFC on FOX 27 card featured a welterweight clash between Dober and Camacho. The action was held inside the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dober landed a leg kick early. Camacho landed some short punches in close. They engaged in […]

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Frank Camacho didn’t do enough to get past Drew Dober.

The opening main card bout on the UFC on FOX 27 card featured a welterweight clash between Dober and Camacho. The action was held inside the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dober landed a leg kick early. Camacho landed some short punches in close. They engaged in a clinch battle. Camacho swept his opponent and wound up in side control. Dober was able to get back to his feet quickly. Once again, Camacho was able to score a takedown. He wobbled Dober with a left hand near the end of the round.

Dober went for a takedown early in the second stanza, but couldn’t get it. Camacho reversed him and gained top control. The two traded strikes. Camacho was breathing heavy. Dober got in some clean shots. Dober began firing off due to his opponent’s gas tank depleting. Dober continued to go on the attack. Blood trickled from the nose of both men.

Camacho connected with a left hand early in the final frame. He thwarted a takedown attempt. Blood poured down the side of Dober’s eyebrow. Camacho landed a right hand. He landed numerous short shots as Dober went for a takedown. Camacho used his judo to end up in top control. Dober got back up as Camacho once again couldn’t hold his opponent down.He landed a knee to the body. Dober landed a short elbow.

All three judges scored the fight for Dober and one judge even gave him all three rounds.

Final Result: Drew Dober def. Frank Camacho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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UFC Sydney Bonuses: Lentz, Tuivasa Bank Extra $50,000

UFC Fight Night 121 emanated tonight (Saturday, November 18, 2017) from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The night was headlined by a heavyweight battle between former champ Fabricio Werdum and recently top-ten ranked Marcin Tybura. But the Fight of the Night bonuses, and they’re accompanying $50,000 checks, went to lightweights on the prelims. […]

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UFC Fight Night 121 emanated tonight (Saturday, November 18, 2017) from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The night was headlined by a heavyweight battle between former champ Fabricio Werdum and recently top-ten ranked Marcin Tybura.

But the Fight of the Night bonuses, and they’re accompanying $50,000 checks, went to lightweights on the prelims. Demian “Beatdown” Brown and Frank “The Crank” Camacho tore into each other relentlessly for three rounds. By the end, both men were battered and bloody, and fans knew we had an early frontrunner for Fight of the Night. It held up. Camacho won the decision, but both men left Sydney 50k richer.

The Performances of the Night also took place on the prelims. Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa made his UFC debut in spectacular fashion, wiping out Rashad Coulter with a flying knee in the first round.

And Nik Lentz got back in the win column against Will Brooks. Unlike many expected, Lentz elected to stand and trade with the former Bellator lightweight champion. Brooks was generally getting the better of these exchanges but he tried mixing in occasional takedowns of his own. Lentz nearly ensnared him in a guillotine in the first round, and managed to do the trick in the second when he was able to block Brooks from passing his guard following the takedown. Both Tuivasa and Lentz will wake up an extra $50,000 richer for their efforts tonight.

Keep it locked to LowKick MMA for all your UFC Sydney post-fight news and analysis.

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UFC Fight Night 111 Bonuses: Holly Holm Banks $50,000 For Brutal KO

UFC Fight Night 111 went down today (Saturday, June 17, 2017) from Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The main event saw former bantamweight champion Holly Holm looking to right the ship against former title challenger Bethe Correia. She got back on the winning track in sudden and vicious fashion. After a painfully uneventful first […]

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UFC Fight Night 111 went down today (Saturday, June 17, 2017) from Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The main event saw former bantamweight champion Holly Holm looking to right the ship against former title challenger Bethe Correia. She got back on the winning track in sudden and vicious fashion.

After a painfully uneventful first two rounds – toward the end of which referee Marc Goddard warned the combatants for inactivity – Holm got back in the win column with a highlight-reel knockout. Early in the third round, a question mark kick fooled Correia into blocking the body while Holm’s shin came up around her guard to land flush across her face. One follow-up punch iced the Brazilian completely, forcing Goddard to intervene on her behalf. Holm pocketed an extra $50,000 for her Performance of the Night.

The second Performance of the Night went to Japanese flyweight Ulka Sasaki, who got a stunning come-from-behind victory on the undercard. Facing the dynamic but inconsistent Justin Scoggins, Sasaki was taking a beating through the first round and a half. He had been dropped twice and pounded on from top position by the South Carolinian. A momentary lapse was all it took for Sasaki to capitalize, as he did not miss when he had his chance on Scoggins’ back. He slapped on a rear-naked choke and the tap came shortly after. Sasaki will leave Singapore $50,000 richer for it.

The Fight of the Night was also on the prelims, as welterweight sluggers Li Jingliang and Frank Camacho went to war. UFC newcomer Camacho repeatedly rocked “The Leech” in round one, looking on the verge of finishing it on multiple occasions. Only Li’s granite chin saved him. Camacho – a late replacement who fought just three weeks ago – started to fade as the cage time and the punishment began to mount. Li nearly finished “The Crank” in the third as leg kicks and hard punches upstairs took their toll, but Camacho gutted it out to hear the final horn. Both men were awarded an extra $50,000 for their spirited efforts.

Keep it locked to LowKickMMA for all the UFC Singapore news to follow.

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