Gegard Mousasi’s Bellator debut does 476,000 viewers

[La Paix]

Gegard Mousasi, who had been one of the UFC's top middleweight fighters, struggled both in the cage, and as a ratings draw, in his debut on Friday night.

The show from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Ct., did 476,000 viewers on Friday night. The DVR viewership over the next three days added another 47,000 viewers for a 523,000 total.

The number is well below the 660,000 average that Bellator has done so far in 2017. It's on par with some of the recent shows that didn't feature a highly-paid big-name coming from UFC, but the number was likely significantly lower due to the much stronger than usual sports competition that night.

Gegard Mousasi’s Bellator debut does 476,000 viewers

 

[SongExotic2]

Well it's probably because out of his 4000 fights I can think of one or two that are worth watching

 

[Silverball]

The reality is that MMA viewership across the board is down, and that includes the UFC (recent pay per views are hovering around 100,000). Excuses aside, both major promotions have been failing in one area that fighters and fans alike rely on them for, and that's promoting. As an aside, Bellator doesn't come close to achieving the local (Bay Area) buzz that Strikeforce once did, and that's telling, in my opinion.

 

[Yossarian]

And that decides ultimately your pay Gegard. He spoke up about getting paid, but that is the cold hard truth.

 

[Sheepdog]

MMA is in big, big trouble in general, figures like these are the new norm.

The first thing Bellator can do to address these problems is re-brand and finally get rid of its stupid fucking name.

 

[sparkuri]

MMA is in big, big trouble in general, figures like these are the new norm.

The first thing Bellator can do to address these problems is re-brand and finally get rid of its stupid fucking name.

It's not going anywhere, at this point that would be a mistake imo.

 

[Sheepdog]

It's not going anywhere, at this point that would be a mistake imo.

Have you ever mentioned the name 'Bellator' to someone who doesn't already know what it is? It's a universal reaction - people scrunch up their faces in a mixture of confusion and disgust, like you have just started singing the Bee Gees' 'More than a woman' while taking a shit on the floor in front of them. It's a really, really stupid name that sounds bad, but also doesn't reflect anything whatsoever to do with MMA to the untrained ear.

Clearly these ratings are showing that Bellator doesn't have some large, rusted-on fanbase that could go missing if they re-branded. They could do a transition period where they inform fans the name will be changing over a few broadcasts, just like the WWF did when it became WWE.

 

[sparkuri]

Have you ever mentioned the name 'Bellator' to someone who doesn't already know what it is? It's a universal reaction - people scrunch up their faces in a mixture of confusion and disgust, like you have just started singing the Bee Gees' 'More than a woman' while taking a shit on the floor in front of them. It's a really, really stupid name that sounds bad, but also doesn't reflect anything whatsoever to do with MMA to the untrained ear.

Clearly these ratings are showing that Bellator doesn't have some large, rusted-on fanbase that could go missing if they re-branded. They could do a transition period where they inform fans the name will be changing over a few broadcasts, just like the WWF did when it became WWE.

Did you ever listen to the Bee Gees and scrunch your face and think, "what kinda name is Bee Gees?"

People forget about that after a product delivers, and it does.

 

[Yossarian]

Did you ever listen to the Bee Gees and scrunch your face and think, "what kinda name is Bee Gees?"

People forget about that after a product delivers, and it does.

It didn't deliver for Gegard though.

 

[sparkuri]

It didn't deliver for Gegard though.

Iwould say it most certainly did, considering....


"The show went head-to-head with the Houston Astros clinching the American League championship, beating the New York Yankees, which drew 8,225,000 viewers, as well as NBA basketball which drew 2,387,000 viewers, which is significantly tougher competition than would happen on most Friday nights."

 

[Yossarian]

Iwould say it most certainly did, considering....


"The show went head-to-head with the Houston Astros clinching the American League championship, beating the New York Yankees, which drew 8,225,000 viewers, as well as NBA basketball which drew 2,387,000 viewers, which is significantly tougher competition than would happen on most Friday nights."

So yeah, it didn't. You just showed me why

 

[sparkuri]

So yeah, it didn't. You just showed me why

You've got to figure, between the NBA starting in full-swing, and much more importantly, the biggest team in sports history with the most populous city, New York, battling Houston, the housing the second most populous state after the tragedy that struck Houston, the fight did outstanding considering.

#HoustonStrong, much like New Orleans after Katrina & New York after 9/11 has an enormous following.
Any other time, Gerard/Schlemenko is likely pulling 900,000+, certainly during it's peak.
It pulled 792,000 during it's peak fight night.
I'm just putting this in perspective, considering the headlines point to Gerard's lack of star-power first...

 

[nuraknu]

I think that number is pretty good considering the other two major fights on the card fell through. Most headliners have a little more backup than that. So that coupled with the competing events actually means Mousasi is a good draw imo. Of course, his opponent having a recognizable name helps too.

 

[Yossarian]

You've got to figure, between the NBA starting in full-swing, and much more importantly, the biggest team in sports history with the most populous city, New York, battling Houston, the housing the second most populous state after the tragedy that struck Houston, the fight did outstanding considering.

#HoustonStrong, much like New Orleans after Katrina & New York after 9/11 has an enormous following.
Any other time, Gerard/Schlemenko is likely pulling 900,000+, certainly during it's peak.
It pulled 792,000 during it's peak fight night.
I'm just putting this in perspective, considering the headlines point to Gerard's lack of star-power first...

It's definitely about perspective. Gegard's star should be questioned as he is put to the test of viewership, but on a Friday, and then with other sports events on the calendar.

 

[Wild]

Pretty disappointing.

 

[Rambo John J]

i don't know numbers

was a pretty good card...friday nights are tough

 

[sparkuri]

Pretty disappointing.

From the other thread:



The show went head-to-head with the Houston Astros clinching the American League championship, beating the New York Yankees, which drew 8,225,000 viewers, as well as NBA basketball which drew 2,387,000 viewers, which is significantly tougher competition than would happen on most Friday nights.

 

[sparkuri]

Again, from the other thread.:




You've got to figure, between the NBA starting in full-swing, and much more importantly, the biggest team in sports history with the most populous city, New York, battling Houston, the housing the second most populous state after the tragedy that struck Houston, the fight did outstanding considering.

#HoustonStrong, much like New Orleans after Katrina & New York after 9/11 has an enormous following.
Any other time, Gerard/Schlemenko is likely pulling 900,000+, certainly during it's peak.
It pulled 792,000 during it's peak fight night.
I'm just putting this in perspective, considering the headlines point to Gerard's lack of star-power first...

 

[Leto1776]

MMA is in big, big trouble in general, figures like these are the new norm.

The first thing Bellator can do to address these problems is re-brand and finally get rid of its stupid fucking name.

Out of all of Bellator's problems, the name is the least of them.

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

A lot goes into putting on a successful event / Pay Per View, i always find it strange when people put all the responsibility on the Main Event fighters when evaluating an Event or PPVs ratings... in this case Gegard Mousasi.

Both Bellator and UFC have been fairly lazy in promoting their events especially PPV's.

As a fan if I'm going to invest my hard earned money I want the event to be special, I want there to be substance to the event.

I blame the UFC for over saturating the market with an MMA overload and treating theirEvents - PPV's like a production line kicking out watered down cards every other week to try and bring in as much revenue in the shortest amount of time ..that plan was short sighted and not looking at the big picture. Because of this, ratings are dropping - casual fans have dropped off and the hardcores understand the bullshit UFC has been pulling ...which in turn translates to disrespecting their core base of fans knowledge of the sport.

If Bellator wants to be successful and take MMA to the next level - they have to put in time building up events with meaningful content...not the same old cookie cutter "WWE-Chael Sonnen - Mcgregor" type promos ...I'm talking about promos like the epic




The blame should not ever be put on the the fighters for low ratings ...that responsibility is on the promoter / organization for failing to properly stack the card and spark the interests of fans for a typical event.

 

[La Paix]

A lot goes into putting on a successful event / Pay Per View, i always find it strange when people put all the responsibility on the Main Event fighters when evaluating an Event or PPVs ratings... in this case Gegard Mousasi.

Both Bellator and UFC have been fairly lazy in promoting their events especially PPV's.

As a fan if I'm going to invest my hard earned money I want the event to be special, I want there to be substance to the event.

I blame the UFC for over saturating the market with an MMA overload and treating theirEvents - PPV's like a production line kicking out watered down cards every other week to try and bring in as much revenue in the shortest amount of time ..that plan was short sighted and not looking at the big picture. Because of this, ratings are dropping - casual fans have dropped off and the hardcores understand the bullshit UFC has been pulling ...which in turn translates to disrespecting their core base of fans knowledge of the sport.

If Bellator wants to be successful and take MMA to the next level - they have to put in time building up events with meaningful content...not the same old cookie cutter "WWE-Chael Sonnen - Mcgregor" type promos ...I'm talking about promos like the epic




The blame should not ever be put on the the fighters for low ratings ...that responsibility is on the promoter / organization for failing to properly stack the card and spark the interests of fans for a typical event.

 

[Leto1776]

Bellator could have had everything go right with this event, and promoted the hell out of it, and still wouldn't have done well. Why? Because no one gives a crap about Mousasi.