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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The UFC's run of poor Ultimate Fighter seasons may have taken an irreversible toll on the series. Despite the most talented cast in years, and the promise of a title fight following the tournament, Wednesday's TUF 20 debut is the lowest drawing debut for the series ever.
According to Jason Floyd of The MMAReport.com, Wednesday's show drew just 536,000 viewers, a continued decline that the series has experienced while on Fox Sports 1.
Last night's debut episode of TUF 20 draws 536k. To compare, TUF 19 debut episode had 595k in preliminary ratings
Penick's Analysis: This might just be the last gasp for this show. Now, maybe it's just a sign that a larger segment of the fanbase doesn't care for women's MMA at this level, or that the UFC's decision to promote the looks over their skills didn't work in their favor. But it could also be that no matter what the UFC wants to put out for TUF, fans are over it. That's entirely possible given how poorly the show continues to draw on FS1, and it's entirely possible the show has simply run its course. Some would say that happened several seasons ago. But if they can't get people interested in the highest level of talent they've had in years, they're not going to get them in for much else either.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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