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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Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson Full Fight Video Highlights

After losing a stinging TKO at the hands of current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in his last bout, former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza returned for the first time against last April when he faced off with dangerous knockout artist Derek Brunson in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX […]

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After losing a stinging TKO at the hands of current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in his last bout, former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza returned for the first time against last April when he faced off with dangerous knockout artist Derek Brunson in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Many wondered how the aging Souza would look against the hometown fan favorite Brunson, who had rebounded from his own losses to Whittaker and Anderson Silva to rack up two consecutive knockout wins of his own. The two had faced off before as well, with Jacare knocking Brunson out in the first round of their initial Strikeforce meeting in 2012.

The general school of thought was that Brunson had improved by leaps and bounds on the feet since then, and Souza’s main edge would obviously be his legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills in the cage.

However, Souza proved he can still outstrike the best. After some early rushing combos from Brunson, Jacare timed a perfect head kick that dropped Brunson as he followed up with a huge uppercut and a series of hooks that all dropped a wobbly Brunson while he failed to defend himself, leading to a referee stoppage.

Watch the highlights of Jacare’s much-needed knockout victory here:

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UFC on FOX 27 Post-Fight Press Conference

Tonight’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 is in the books from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and longtime top middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has made a victorious return to the octagon after losing his last fight to current champ Robert Whittaker. Souza took out hometown favorite Derek Brunson with a […]

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Tonight’s (Sat., January 27, 2018 ) UFC on FOX 27 is in the books from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and longtime top middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has made a victorious return to the octagon after losing his last fight to current champ Robert Whittaker.

Souza took out hometown favorite Derek Brunson with a first-round head kick and some huge follow-up punches in the main event, solidifying his No. 3 status as Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero meet for the interim 185-pound belt at February 10’s UFC 221.

In the co-main event, Andre Fili eeked by Dennis Bermudez by split decision in a close bout.

Watch the fighters discuss the card in the post-fight press conference video streaming live after the main card here:

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‘Jacare’s’ Next Fight Reportedly Set For UFC on FOX 27

Two top-ranked middleweights will reportedly square off in the main event of January 27’s UFC on FOX 27. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 7-ranked Derek Brunson told him he had signed a bout agreement to fight No. 5-ranked Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza in the headlining bout of the event from Charlotte, N.C.’s Spectrum Center. The bout […]

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Two top-ranked middleweights will reportedly square off in the main event of January 27’s UFC on FOX 27.

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 7-ranked Derek Brunson told him he had signed a bout agreement to fight No. 5-ranked Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza in the headlining bout of the event from Charlotte, N.C.’s Spectrum Center.

The bout has not been officially announced by the UFC, but Brunson told ESPN he had signed his agreement and expected Souza to do the same very soon:

“I signed my contract and I’m pretty sure Jacare signed his contract. I expect the UFC to announce it soon.”

Brunson heads into the bout on a two-fight win streak, his most recent a dominant first-round knockout over former light heavyweight champion in the main event of October 28’s UFC Sao Paulo. His last loss came by controversial decision to longtime former middleweight champion Anderon Silva at February’s UFC 208.

He’ll look to score his biggest-ever win against the feared Jacare in a rematch of their first fight in Strikeforce, which Souza won with a thunderous left hook. The 37-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend had been on the cusp of a UFC title shot, but a TKO loss to current interim champion Robert Whittaker in his last bout this April derailed those plans for the time being.

Brunson discussed his prior loss to Souza, believing he was a young fighter who got overaggressive against a former champion and has learned over the years:

“I was a young, talented prospect back then,. Strikeforce let me take a fight on short notice outside the promotion and I got robbed on a split decision against Kendall Grove. I easily won that fight. So, I went from 9-0 to getting robbed and suffering my first loss.

“I get back to Strikeforce and they put me right with Jacare. I was still pissed about the loss and said, ‘I’m about to go torch this former champion.’ I went out super aggressive and he caught me. The punch he threw, he ducked his head and closed his eyes. I came running in and he caught me on the chin.

“I had to deal with that for years. I was pissed off about it for a long time.”

UFC President Dana White also recently revealed the fight was set during his lengthy scrum with reporters yesterday but did not give an exact date for the match-up.

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Michael Bisping Trolls ‘Alligator A**holes’ After Jacare Loss

Last night’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri featured a bevy of impressive finishes, including a huge middleweight shakeup when Robert Whittaker finished heavily favored Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza with a jaw-dropping stoppage in the second round. The morning after the fight, current UFC middleweight champion Michael

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Last night’s (Sat., April 15, 2017) UFC on FOX 24 from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri featured a bevy of impressive finishes, including a huge middleweight shakeup when Robert Whittaker finished heavily favored Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza with a jaw-dropping stoppage in the second round.

The morning after the fight, current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who is currently awaiting the announcement of a date for his upcoming bout against Georges St-Pierre, posted the following on his official Instagram account to all those who suggested he was running from their alligator-named favorite fighter:

Now will please shut the hell up and stay off my instagram page.

A post shared by Mikebisping (@mikebisping) on

While it’s a harsh bit of trolling from “The Count,” it’s not a surprising one considering the outspoken style he’s always implemented to promote his fights, a style that he has ramped up to a more prominent and publicized level ever since he nocked out Luke Rockhold to steal the belt on short notice at last year’s UFC 199.

The second clearest legitimate contender to his throne has now been knocked out of contention as it stands, although a new one in Whittaker, whom was ironically once scheduled to fight Bisping himself, may have arisen to join consensus No. 1 Yoel Romero.

Either way, there are some wholly interesting and potentially very dangerous challenges on the horizon for Bisping, but he’s going to have to find out when he’s fighting St-Pierre first. Welcome to the 185-pound landscape in 2017, fight fans.

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