TUF 17 Finale Closes the Door on FX with Series High TV Ratings on the Network

The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale drew an audience of 1.71 million viewers to close out the highest rated TUF season of the three installments on FX, according to Fox officials.

The TUF 17 finale, which saw Kelvin Gastelum named “The Ultimate Fighter” with a split decision upset win over heavily favored Uriah Hall, scored 1.71 million Total Viewers and 1.16 million Adults 18-49, marking series highs for FX.

For the night, FX ranked No. 1 in Men 18-34 outright, beating all broadcast and cable networks, while Men 18-49 was the highest-rated in basic cable and second highest-rated overall, behind only FOX, which aired NASCAR.

The 17th season as a whole averaged 1.32 million Total Viewers and 921,000 Adults 18-49, increases of 45 percent and 41 percent, respectively, versus TUF 16.

The Ultimate Fighter will move to FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports’ newly minted multi-sport national cable channel, when it returns in September. The next installment, featuring UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Cat Zingano as coaches, also moves to Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. ET.

FS1 launches Saturday, Aug. 17, and season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter premieres Wednesday, Sept. 4 (10 p.m. ET).

“This was a great way to end The Ultimate Fighter’s run on FX,” said Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks.  “I want to thank Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta, as well as Craig Piligian, on three amazing seasons of the series.  I wish them all nothing but the best in their move to FOX Sports 1.”