Kimbo Slice delivered a ratings knockout for Bellator and Spike. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
The much-promoted June 19 bout between Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock garnered record ratings for Bellator MMA on Spike TV.
Bellator’s previous high-water mark came in November, when 1.8 million viewers tuned in to see Tito Ortiz defeat Stephan Bonnar at Bellator 131.
The event, which emanated from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., saw Slice escape an early rear-naked choke to punch out Shamrock just 2:22 into the first round. Bellator featherweight ace Patricio “Pitbull” Freire defended his belt with a highlight-reel knockout of Daniel Weichel in the co-main event.