– This past Saturday’s Bellator 131 card aired opposite UFC 180 and World Series of Fighting 15. That didn’t keep fans from tuning in, as the Spike TV main card averaged 1.2 million viewers. It peaked during the main event with two million viewers, as Tito Ortiz defeated Stephan Bonnar.
“Bellator 131 was an incredible event that had something for everybody, and I’m thrilled to see our efforts were so well-received by our fans,” Bellator MMA president Scott Coker said in a press release. “I’m very proud of our entire Bellator and Spike family for all of the hard work they put resulting in these record-breaking ratings. The most exciting thing for me is the knowledge that that we are just getting started, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store for the future.”
The card ranks second in terms of MMA fights on network television by averaging 1.8 million viewers for the main event. The co-main between Will Brooks and Michael Chandler averaged 1.3 million viewers.
– Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White confirmed that the promotion is in the process of booking Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum for this coming June. The fight would main event another pay-per-view from Mexico.
Recently, Werdum won the interim UFC heavyweight title when he stopped Mark Hunt in Mexico City. He was expected to face Velasquez, but the champion went down with a knee injury. All indications are he should be cleared by summer to fight again.
During “The Time Is Now” press conference in Las Vegas, it was revealed that UFC 188 would take place in June. White stated “Cain’s going to make it” when asked about Velasquez competing on the card.
– UFC 183 has a co-main event, as welterweights Kelvin Gastelum and Tyron Woodley will square off. The card takes place January 31 from Las Vegas and features Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz in the main event.
Gastelum (10-0) recently earned his fifth career UFC victory, submitting Jake Ellenberger. Woodley (14-3) is coming off a knockout of Dong Hyun Kim that got his career back on track after a loss to Rory MacDonald.
Other previously announced fights include Miesha Tate-Sara McMann, Thiago Alves-Jordan Mein and Thales Leites-Tim Boetsch.
– While a Jon Jones – Anderson Silva superfight is unlikely, UFC president Dana White posted the photo below on Instagram showing Jones and Silva sparring after the big UFC press conference earlier this week:
