Conor McGregor made his highly-anticipated return as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31, drawing an average of 294,000 viewers during the one-hour broadcast on ESPN this past Tuesday.
Based on the Nielsen ratings system, TUF 31 secured the 11th spot overall among cable programs that Tuesday night, earning a .14 share in the 18-to-49 year old demographic, which is crucial for television advertising. The show aired at 10 p.m. ET.
The top program of the night was Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey, which attracted an average of 1.176 million viewers and a .34 share in the 18-to-49 year old demographic.
These viewership numbers represent a significant decline from McGregor’s previous appearance on The Ultimate Fighter during Season 22, where he served as a coach alongside Urijah Faber. TUF 22 debuted with 622,000 average viewers on FOX Sports 1.
Although McGregor’s return, this time alongside future opponent Michael Chandler, did not generate the same level of ratings, TUF 31 still outperformed the last season aired on cable. TUF 28’s debut on FOX Sports 1 in 2018, featuring coaches Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum, garnered only 186,000 average viewers.
It’s worth noting that both TUF 29 and TUF 30 were exclusively available on ESPN+, a subscription-based service, and their viewer numbers were not disclosed.
The decision to move the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter from ESPN+ back to ESPN was primarily driven by McGregor’s involvement as a coach. McGregor is gearing up for his comeback after suffering a devastating leg injury in his previous UFC appearance in 2021.
On TUF 31, McGregor and Chandler are coaching teams comprised of bantamweights and lightweights, consisting of a mix of newcomers and UFC veterans. The remaining episodes of the season will continue to air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Conor McGregor’s return to The Ultimate Fighter 31
Q: What were the viewership numbers for Conor McGregor’s return on The Ultimate Fighter 31?
A: Conor McGregor’s return on The Ultimate Fighter 31 garnered an average of 294,000 viewers during the one-hour broadcast on ESPN.
Q: How did TUF 31 rank among other cable programs?
A: TUF 31 secured the 11th spot overall among cable programs on Tuesday night, according to the Nielsen ratings system.
Q: What demographic did TUF 31 perform well in?
A: TUF 31 earned a .14 share in the coveted 18-to-49 year old demographic, which is considered a key sector for television advertising.
Q: How does TUF 31 compare to McGregor’s previous appearance on The Ultimate Fighter?
A: The viewership numbers for TUF 31 were lower compared to McGregor’s previous appearance on The Ultimate Fighter during Season 22, where the show debuted with 622,000 average viewers on FOX Sports 1.
Q: Why was TUF 31 moved back to ESPN from ESPN+?
A: TUF 31 was moved back to ESPN from ESPN+ primarily because Conor McGregor, who suffered a leg injury in his last UFC appearance, returned as a coach on the show, generating anticipation for his comeback.
Q: What time does TUF 31 air and on what network?
A: TUF 31 airs on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Q: What weight classes are featured on TUF 31?
A: TUF 31 features teams of bantamweights and lightweights, with Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler as the coaches. The cast includes a mix of newcomers and UFC veterans.
Q: Were there any viewer numbers released for TUF 29 and TUF 30?
A: No, there were no viewer numbers released for TUF 29 and TUF 30 because both seasons aired exclusively on ESPN+, a subscription-based service.
