The UFC 252 preliminary card drew more than 800,000 viewers.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier retired from MMA after suffering a unanimous decision loss to UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 252.
Before the pay-per-view card started on ESPN+, a six-fight preliminary card aired live on ESPN. It brought in a .29 rating, according to MMA Fighting. That rating is the best for any television program on Saturday night (8/15). The preliminary card, which featured Vinc Pichel defeating Jim Miller in the featured spot, brought in 831,000 viewers.
Other bouts on the preliminary card saw Virna Jandiroba defeat Felice Herrig, Daniel Chavez defeat TJ Brown, Livinha Souza defeated Ashley Yoder, Chris Daukaus defeat Parker Porter, and Kai Kamaka III defeat Tony Kelley.
The UFC 252 preliminary card even outdrew an NHL Playoff Game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets, which brought in 579,000 viewers.
Up next for the UFC is UFC Fight Night: Munhoz vs. Edgar, headlined by Pedro Munhoz and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. It airs live on ESPN.
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