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[TBEAR]

Source "UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Hardy" highest rated "Countdown" show ever | MMAjunkie.com

Wednesday night's debut of "UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Hardy," which previews the UFC 111 main event on March 27 between UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and British slugger Dan Hardy, was the highest-rated "UFC Countdown" show in history, Spike TV today announced.

The 30-minute show drew 1 million viewers during its initial run at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The debut episode of "UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Penn" was the previous record-holder with an average audience of 880,000 viewers.

Wednesday's episode was the first of a planned three-part series. The next two installments will air in the same Wednesday timeslot on March 17 and March 24.

The viewership totals included solid numbers in two coveted demographics: a 1.1 rating among males ages 18 to 34, as well as a 1.0 figure among males 18 to 49.

The UFC 111 special follows Hardy as he prepares for his bout in his home country of England. The cameras also focus on St-Pierre has he holds his fight camp in Canada and the U.S. Different from the UFC's traditional "Countdown" shows, "UFC Primetime" goes more in depth and focuses on some of the biggest fights of the year.

"UFC Primetime: St-Pierre vs. Hardy" is the fourth installment of the "Primetime" series.

The debut episode re-airs March 12 (11 p.m.), March 19 (11 p.m.), March 26 (11 p.m.) and March 27 (1 p.m.).

For complete coverage of UFC 111, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).

After reading this who still thinks the UFC is in trouble?

[macewen]

^ haha i was thinking the same thing

[kingrobert]

I really liked the show but wish it was an hour long. I also wish they could have done some footage with Frank Mir and Shane Carwin. Im really pumped to see that fight also.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Anybody else think theres going to be a big drop off next week?

[Chute_Boxe44]

Wow thats actually really surprising to me. Just considering how little they have been advertising it. I always have loved the countdowns mainly because of the production value. But with the Prime Time specials can be annoying with making the fighters out like they are movie characters or somthing. They are obviously trying to fuel the drama for the fight so it can sell to the casual fan, i get that. But Im sure most of you guys who would agreee as hardcores that it can be annoying. But I feel the in depth looks into their training makes it soooo worth watching in the end.

[RonPaulForPeace]

agreed ^^

[Dr. MMA]

It's so funny that they had GSP do flying side kicks like he's the karate kid. I found that so ridiculous because that is one thing in MMA you will barely see, especially from GSP himself.

I love GSP's repetitive catchphrases: "Dan Hardy is my toughest opponent", "On [insert fight date], I will be the best best George St Pierre", and "Losing to Matt Serra is the best thing that ever happened to me".

[Lint the Destroyer]

Am I the only person that didn't like the show? I've liked all of the other Countdowns, but this one just bored me to death.

[SWIFTboy]

Originally Posted by Dr. MMA

It's so funny that they had GSP do flying side kicks like he's the karate kid. I found that so ridiculous because that is one thing in MMA you will barely see, especially from GSP himself.

I love GSP's repetitive catchphrases: "Dan Hardy is my toughest opponent", "On [insert fight date], I will be the best best George St Pierre", and "Losing to Matt Serra is the best thing that ever happened to me".

I often wonder if:

a) that's actually his personality
b) he just wants to keep saying the right thing to preserve his image
c) the language barrier makes it hard for him to express himself in anything other than clichés he's repeated over and over.

As someone who speaks fluent French I would love to hear a full interview of him speaking in his native language. I have a feeling he's not as cookie-cutter as her seems. I mean, I know he wouldn't start saying Dan Hardy is a joke and that he doesn't remember who Matt Serra is just because he's speaking French, but I think you'd see more of the real GSP.

[Xanatos]

I think it's the language barrier. his english is better then most of the portugese guys, say Wandy for example, but I think he keeps saying those points because theyre in his head. I f you ever watch him speak, he tends to stop and think a little bit in the middle of sentences and whatnot, because its his second language. So when he gets trapped he throws out a "Dan Hardy will be my toughest opponent yet"