Despite a thrilling card packed to the brim with compelling fights, ratings for Saturday's Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov event indicate that it was the least-watched major-show in the promotion's history. The Showtime broadcast totaled just 274,000 viewers, ranking 17th out of 18 televised Strikeforce events. MMAJunkie.com first reported the figures.
According to the report, Strikeforce-Showtime broadcasts generally average 453,000 viewers, a massive departure from Saturday's totals. Likewise, the first two rounds of the heavyweight grand prix totaled 741,000 and 624,000 viewers, respectively.
Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov's reported figure of 274,000 viewers surpassed only one event -- Strikeforce: Los Angeles -- a six-fight, Wednesday-night show headlined by a catchweight bout between Robbie Lawler and Renato Sobral that totaled a paltry 164,000 viewers in June of last year.
A list of the five best and worst reported ratings for a Strikeforce-Showtime event (via MMAJunkie.com):
1. "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva" (February 2011): 741,000 viewers
2. "Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum" (June 2011): 624,000
3. "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" (August 2009): 576,000
4. "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson" (July 20011): 571,000
5. "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg" (January 20011): 561,00014. "Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II" (December 2010): 341,000
15. "Strikeforce: Evolution" (December 2009): 330,000
16. "Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery" (May 2010): 308,000
17. "Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov" (September 2011): 274,000
18. "Strikeforce: Los Angeles" (June 2010): 164,000