‘TUF 14’ Ratings: Episode 5 Nets 1.6 Million Viewers

Mike WhitmanOct 20, 2011

The fifth episode of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 earned an average of 1.6 million viewers for its Oct. 19 broadcast, Spike TV officials announced on Thursday.

The figure matches the season-high posted in episode two and shows slight growth from last week’s 1.5 million average observers. In addition to the total viewership, episode five also posted a household rating of 1.2, as well as ratings of 1.6 and 1.9 in the male 18-49 and 18-34 demographics, respectively.

According to Spike TV, the program ranked third in its time slot among males 18-49, trailing only Comedy Central and FX.

Episode five saw Team Bisping earn its first win of the season, albeit in controversial fashion, as Hamid Corassani outpointed Team Mayhem’s Dustin Neace. Fueled by a war of words prior to the bout, Corassani (Pictured, File Photo) took the fight to the floor in round one and began dropping leather. However, Neace managed to maneuver from guard and caught his foe in a heel hook. Though Corassani appeared to tap out lightly, referee Herb Dean did not see the ambiguous admission of defeat. “Akira” escaped the position and finished the frame with ground-and-pound.

Round two also belonged to Michael Bisping’s disciple, as Corassani dropped Neace with a left hook and followed him to the mat. There he would remain for the remainder of the bout, dropping blows from top position en route to a unanimous nod from the judges.