Lumumba Sayers (left) won big, but didn't pull in the viewers. | Photo: Isaac Hinds
The Strikeforce Challengers series took a ratings hit on Friday night, as the Showtime broadcast of “Britt vs. Sayers” drew an average audience of 143,000 viewers.
Strikeforce Challengers 17 and 18 drew 232,000 and 181,000 viewers for respective broadcasts in July and August. The series attracted a series-high 316,000 viewers in March 2010 and has yet to match that showing, which occurred during a free preview weekend for the premium cable channel.
Antwain Britt's middleweight debut was spoiled in the Challengers 20 headliner, as the former light heavyweight was knocked out by Lumumba Sayers just 28 seconds into the main event. The show also featured an impressive performance by Olympic judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey, who submitted Julia Budd with an armbar in just 39 seconds.