UFC on FOX 26 ratings are in ... and they suck

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos scored his biggest welterweight win to date, thanks to a convincing five-round unanimous decision win (video) over Robbie Lawler in the UFC on FOX 26 main event.

Too bad nobody saw it.

UFC on FOX 26 overnight ratings returned 1.78 million viewers with an 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demo on the fast nationals, according to MMA Fighting, making it the lowest number ever for the sixth annual December network prime time special, and third lowest ever.

By comparison, UFC on FOX 22: “VanZant vs. Waterson” drew 2.69 million viewers on the fast nationals, while the lowest of the low came in the wake of UFC on FOX 25: “Weidman vs. Gastelum” with 1.64 million.

The numbers are particularly troubling for UFC as it negotiates a new network deal. The game-changing contract inked back in 2011 expires in just a few months, which means the promotion has to convince its new (or existing home) that it’s worth more than this.

The numbers, however, might suggest otherwise.