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UFC on FOX 2 Averages 4.37 Million Viewers in Preliminary Ratings

By Mike Chiappetta
/ new
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Early ratings are in for Saturday night's UFC on FOX 2 event, and the two-hour broadcast drew an estimated 4.37 million viewers, according to a report by TVBytheNumbers.com.

The final number, however, is likely to increase substantially by the time final ratings are released, as information continues to trickle in on the live broadcast.

By comparison, the initial UFC on FOX show last November featuring a heavyweight title bout with Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos drew an overnight rating of 4.64 million, but when final information was released, it ended up averaging a more robust 5.7 million viewers for the one-hour special.


Saturday night's two-hour show, which was broadcast from the United Center in Chicago, featured a tripleheader that was void of any finishes. In the main event, Rashad Evans out-pointed Phil Davis, setting up a light-heavyweight title fight against Jon Jones. The co-main event saw Chael Sonnen earn a decision over Michael Bisping, setting up a rematch with middleweight champ Anderson Silva. And the night's opener saw rising star Chris Weidman top Demian Maia on points.

Despite the lack of big finishes or action-packed rounds, ratings indicated that the event helped FOX carry the all important 18-49 year old demographic, as that segment of the population averaged a 2.2 rating to lead all broadcast networks.

Final ratings should be released on Monday.

The next UFC on FOX event will take place in the spring, with a May 5 date penciled in. To date, only one TV matchup has been confirmed, with lightweight contenders Nate Diaz and Jim Miller squaring off in a bout likely to serve as the co-main event.

  • UFC on FOX 2

    Dustin Jacoby strikes Chris Camozzi at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chris Camozzi uses a guillotine choke to submit Dustin Jacoby at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chris Camozzi celebrates his submission win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chris Camozzi celebrates his submission win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Joey Beltran gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Joey Beltran falls back after getting hit by Lavar Johnson at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Lavar Johnson punches Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Lavar Johnson drills Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Lavar Johnson punches Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Lavar Johnson celebrates his knockout win against Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Johnson strikes Shane Roller at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Shane Roller gets some attention between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Shane Roller has a quick chat with referee Herb Dean at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Shane Roller tries to submit Michael Johnson at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Michael Johnson looks for the finish at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Micheal Johnson defeated Shane Roller via unanimous decision at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Michael Johnson waves to the crowd before his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Eric Wisely's kick is caught by Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Charles Oliveira tries to finish Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Charles Oliveira catches Eric Wisely in a calf-crusher at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Charles Oliveira celebrates his win over Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Charles Oliveira celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson strikes George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson looks to finish George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson earns a second-round TKO over George Roop at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Cub Swanson celebrates his win at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Mike Russow gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Jon Olav Einemo catches Mike Russow with a knee at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Mike Russow tries to finish Jon Olav Einemo at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Mike Russow is hit in the face by a knee from Jon Olav Einemo at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Mike Russow celebrates his unanimous decision win in front of his hometown crowd at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Evan Dunham gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Brittney Palmer takes her walk around the Octagon between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Nik Lentz catches Evan Dunham with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2 Photos

    Evan Dunham smashes Nik Lentz in the face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Evan Dunham looks for the finish at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Evan Dunham batters Nik Lentz against the cage at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Evan Dunham and Nik Lentz exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Evan Dunham strikes Nik Lentz at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Evan Dunham celebrates his victory over Nik Lentz exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Nik Lentz suffers his second straight loss at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Demian Maia makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Demian Maia and Chris Weidman exchange shots at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Demian Maia knees Chris Weidman at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chris Weidman hits Demian Maia at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC on FOX 2

    Demian Maia gets ready to strike Chris Weidman at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Demian Maia and Chris Weidman give each other hgh-five after their fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chris Weidman celebrates his unanimous decision win against Demian Maia at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen hits Michael Bisping with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping connects with a left to Chael Sonnen's face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen takes Michael Bisping down at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen battle at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping connects with a knee against Chael Sonnen with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping takes a breather after the first round at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Arianny Celeste finishes up her lap around the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Chael Sonnen gets ready for the second round at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Chael Sonnen connects to Michael Bisping's face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen battles Michael Bisping on the ground at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Michael Bisping celebrates after the fight before the decision is read at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen slap hands after their fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen celebrates his unanimous decision win over Michael Bisping at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Chael Sonnen has a memorable speech with Joe Rogan after his fight at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Michael Bisping reacts after suffering his first loss in five fights at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans makes his way to the Octagon at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Phil Davis gets his ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Bruce Buffer announces the fighters for the main event at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans gets ready for his fight at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans punches Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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    Rashad Evans traps Phil Davis in a mounted crucifix at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans takes a seat between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Phil Davis catches Rashad Evans with a right at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans strikes Phil Davis in the face at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans punches Phil Davis in his eye at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans strikes Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans hits Phil Davis with an elbow at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Phil Davis gets a breather between rounds at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans hits Phil Davis with his left hand at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

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  • UFC on FOX 2

    Rashad Evans earns a unanimous decision win over Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

    Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

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