"The Ultimate Fighter" Season 12 Episode 5 Delivers Big in the Ratings

As I said in my latest episode of TUF Talks, I thought episode 5 of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 was by far the best episode yet. We had guest appearances, motivational speeches, more heaping helpings of drama, and the elimination fight was very good. Overall, it felt like this all-Lightweight season of TUF really hit its stride and was beginning to live up to its potential with episode 5’s outing. Apparently I’m not alone in this sentiment, as Spike TV recently released the ratings for episode 5, and it’s currently the highest-rated episode of the season.

According to MMAWeekly, episode 5 averaged 1.9 million viewers, with a 1.93 in males 18-49 and a huge 2.2 in males 18-34. Once again, these ratings prove that the UFC has gotten the TUF formula down to a sweet science, as key demographics for both the UFC and Spike TV continue to tune in and watch this product. Up until episode 5, episode 3 boasted the highest rating, most likely due to a surprise guest appearance by boxing legend Mike Tyson. Episode 5 also benefited from a little added star power, as it saw coach Josh Koscheck bring in both Jon Fitch and Chuck Liddell to help his ailing team of hopefuls.

I think this episode set a big precedent, and it will be interesting to see if future episodes capitalize on this momentum. Episode 5 really did feel like a turning point for the season: everything clicked in just the right way, and now that Team Koscheck has a win under their belts, and a big one at that, it feels like it’s anyone’s game now. And we’ve still got a lot to look forward to: we’ve seen previews of both an actual fight in the TUF house as well as Josh Koscheck getting into an altercation with a member of GSP’s coaching staff. I truly feel that we’ve only struck the tip of the iceberg when it comes to TUF 12, so I’ll certainly be tuning in week after week.

I always find myself thinking how remarkable it is that the UFC has found a way to keep the TUF formula from growing stale after all these years. There have been the occasional doomsayers throughout the years, there have been people who have looked at a negative trend in the ratings and predicted that TUF is either dead or dying. But they’ve always been proven wrong. It’s true that some seasons have done far better numbers than others, but as a whole, TUF has stayed strong and become nearly synonymous with Spike TV.

Not only do I think the TUF formula hasn’t gotten stale, I think the show is going to get even bigger. With international and WEC versions in the works, there’s almost limitless potential for this series so long as it continues to change and evolve. The UFC and the Ultimate Fighter aren’t going anywhere but up, and I couldn’t be happier that they’re taking all of us along for the ride.

And what about you, fans and friends? What are your thoughts on the season so far, and the high ratings of Episode 5?