Seventh episode of 'The Ultimate Fighter 16' draws 676,000 viewers

I don't need to tell you that the ratings for The Ultimate Fighter are in the toilet, and that it if it went head-to-head with Morgan Freeman reading Russian literature, Freeman would get higher ratings. So hopefully it comes as zero surprise to anyone that TUF 16 ratings are once again low, with just 676,000 tuning in to see episode 7. MMA Junkie has the details:

Ratings for the seventh episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 16: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson" slipped from the previous week's number with 676,000 total viewers tuning into the broadcast.

The figure marks a 17 percent decrease in viewers from the 811,000 that tuned into episode No. 6.

That's the 2nd lowest number in TUF history, with only episode 5 (624,000) performing worse. Outside of episode 4, which drew 1.1 million with the FX Fight Night card as a lead-in, every show has failed to hit one million.

I think these ratings -- along with apparently terrible fight(er)s -- are a major reason why the majority of the competitors this season aren't getting a spot on the season finale. One would have to think that with TUF ratings at an all-time low, the season finale - headlined by coaches Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson -- will likely bomb as well.

Changes for next season include coaches Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones, a Tuesday timeslot, and a January start to the season instead of March.

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