Record-setting WEC ratings for 'Faber vs. Pulver' on Versus

by Adam Wagner on Jun 4, 2008 4:42 PM EDT

wec versus
To say that it was a big weekend for mixed martial arts might be an understatement. Just on the heels of Saturday night’s EliteXC network television debut on CBS — which peaked at 6.51 million viewers — Sunday night’s WEC 34 on the Versus network held its own.

The featherweight title fight between 145-pound champion Urijah Faber and challenger Jens Pulver was the highest-rated, most-watched WEC event in the network’s history, and the most-watched show on any network in that timeslot among key male demographics [Men 18 – 34 (534,385) and Men 18 – 49 (885,743)]. It was also the third most-watched telecast in network history among Men 25 – 54 (773,267).

The exclusive home of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), the Versus network averaged 1,535,705 viewers for its June 1 telecast, which boasted "the most-anticipated featherweight fight in history" between Faber and Pulver. The fight, which took place in Faber’s hometown of Sacramento, CA at the Arco Arena, did not disappoint.

And in case you missed it, it re-airs tonight at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET.

WEC 34 marks the seventh live fight on Versus for the promotion. Compared to the average of the previous six telecasts, Faber/Pulver is up 180 percent in HH rating (1.4 vs. .5) and 216 percent in viewership (1,535,705 vs. 485,288). Viewership for key male demos increased from between 222 and 336 percent.

For more info on this historic night click here.

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I know I took extra long breaks at work to watch it! It was an amazing event. Torres and the main event were sick, and the rest of the card was very solid! That’s what should have been on prime time!

by kevin on Jun 4, 2008 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder what kind of money Zuffa is making off of the WEC. They dont pay there fighters much, with Faber earning $44,000 (highest paid fighter of the event), but I cant imagine that they generate too much revenue. They dont do pay per views, and Versus isnt exactly CBS. Anyone have any clue as to how profitable the WEC is for Zuffa?

by john on Jun 4, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

That figure doesn’t include their under-the-table bonus money, which I’m sure was pretty high for both Faber and Pulver, as well as Torres and Maeda and some of the other main card guys. Dana and the UFC are businessmen first and foreomst, so I seriously doubt they would keep the WEC afloat if they weren’t reeping good rewards for their time, efforts and money.

by PW on Jun 5, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

good news for the wec, hopefully they can grow on this and really make an impact. Will be interesting to see what direction zuffa takes the company in. seems the lighter weight classes have the more exciting fights and more appeal.

by bobby o'shea on Jun 4, 2008 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

that was the fight of the weekend, both of them did a great job and surprized me, i thought pulver would get killed on the ground and jens would be the bettter striker.faber could not get jens down and when he did he got up and faber out struck jens and they both showed a ton of heart.

by roy on Jun 4, 2008 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

not bad for a channel that not everyone can get.

by kitsunex on Jun 4, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

good to see the wec getting the props it deserves.

by b.w. on Jun 4, 2008 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

in canada its shown on tsn everytime live,ive watched the last 3,it was as good as an ufc card ,actually the uk ,ufc card ,wasnt as good as this wec card m,and i hardly think the next ufc card is as good ,but 87 and 88 are shaping up

by cidcyanide on Jun 4, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

It was also the most heavily promoted WEC event, so not a big surprise.

by ARodOfIron on Jun 4, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

It was an awesome fight. Faber has been incredible to watch . I look forward to all his fights.

/Didn’t watch Limbo Slice

by KS on Jun 4, 2008 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

Great to hear that the fight will be replayed. I was foolish enough to assume that the event would end within 15 minutes of when they said it would, and set my tivo accordingly.

by mmamaniaReader on Jun 4, 2008 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome card, a whole lot better than Limbo slice..

by DirtbagHtr on Jun 4, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

finally saw the rerun! d-d-daym! Faber looked unstoppable in every way and needs to be bumped to TOP3 P4P, without a question. Looked like he had no weaknesses. He was bussing out the Roy Jones Jr. hands down, bobbing head, lunging right! ewwww!! Props to Pulver too even though he didn’t win a round. psshh. the guy can take a punch. Honestly, Faber could have did whatever he wanted to Pulver on the ground but decided to outbox the him. Thats what makes it even more impressive: beating him at his own game. wssup wit Faber vs. Yamamoto?!

by kama kaze on Jun 4, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

If Torres vs Maeda was on CBS Saturday night, Torres would have lost because of the cut. Frankly, I couldn’t care how many fans EliteXC may or may not have. The bottom line is the whole thing stinks.

by JB on Jun 4, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions