UFC 129 'Prelims' broadcast averages 1.5 million viewers on Spike TV

Spike TV's "UFC Prelims" special for UFC 129: "St. Pierre vs. Shields" on April 30 averaged 1.5 million viewers, down from the record-breaking 2.0 million it scored for UFC 126: "Silva vs. Belfort" but even with the 1.5 million it garnered for the UFC 128: "Shogun vs. Jones" undercard offering back on March 19.

The two-fight broadcast from the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, featured surging welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger pounding out former Canadian cop Sean Pierson via first round knockout.

Also making some noise on free TV was hometown favorite Rory MacDonald, who all but kicked Nate Diaz out of the 170-pound division for good after rag-dolling him for fifteen minutes straight.

"UFC Prelims" for April 30 pulled in a 1.0 household rating including a 1.3 in Men 18-49 and 1.5 in Men 18-34.

UFC 129: "St. Pierre vs. Shields" featured 170-pound champion Georges St. Pierre successfully defending his welterweight title against division number one contender Jake Shields.

But that's not all.

Reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo made his Octagon debut with a convincing unanimous decision win over the scrappy Mark Hominick while Steven Seagal Lyoto Machida retired Randy Couture with a fight-ending Crane kick.

And what else is there to say about the performances of Vladimir Matyushenko and Ben Henderson?

For UFC 129 results, recap and other noteworthy items from April 30 click here.