UFC Fight Night 24: "Nogueira vs. Davis," which marked the promotion's first foray into "The Evergreen State," reeled in an average audience of 2.2 million viewers on Spike TV, according to figures released from the cable television network earlier today.
The live broadcast (on the east coast) peaked with 2.4 million viewers during the co main event between welterweights Anthony Johnson and Dan Hardy (at 11:15 p.m.), ranking as the number one program on cable for the entire day for men aged 18 to 34 and 18 to 49.
In fact, "Nogueira vs. Davis," which was held at the KeyArena in Seattle, Wash., on March 26, 2011, was the most-watched UFC Fight Night since the "Diaz vs. Guillard" event in Sept. 2009.
By comparison, UFC Fight Night 23: "Fight for the Troops 2" was viewed by an average of 1.85 million fight fans earlier this year, while the UFC Fight Night 22: "Marquardt vs. Palhares" Spike TV telecast scored an average of 1.6 million viewers back in Sept. 2010.
"Nogueira vs. Davis," featuring a headlining bout between long-time mixed martial arts veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and undefeated up-and-comer (and late replacement) Phil Davis, saw the two light heavyweights go back-and-forth for three rounds, which "Mr. Wonderful" eventually took on all three judge's scorecards.
Johnson was able to do that same as Davis, earning an important unanimous decision win over Hardy, which marked the third consecutive defeat for "The Outlaw" inside the Octagon.
For complete UFC Fight Night 24 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.