UFC NEWS: Final two hour Ultimate Fighter broadcast brings 1.7 million viewers to Spike

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The final two hour episode of The Ultimate Fighter drew an average of 1.7 million viewers on Spike TV on Wednesday night.

The broadcast, which featured the two semifinal bouts to determine this season's finalists, drew a similar number to much of this season, which has fluctuated from 1.6 to 1.9 million viewers.

Jonathan Brookins and Michael Johnson from Team GSP advanced to the season 12 finals with decision wins over Kyle Watson and Nam Phan, respectively.

The broadcast drew a 1.3 household rating, as well as a 2.13 in the M18-34 demographic. The broadcast peaked with a 1.39 rating in the final quarter hour.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_7707.shtml

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UFC NEWS: Michihiro Omigawa signs with the UFC, meets Chad Mendes in early 2011

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Michihiro Omigawa is returning to the UFC.

The former lightweight turned featherweight superstar in Japan has signed with the organization, according to Ariel Helwani at Versus.com. Per Helwani's report, Omigawa will debut in either February or March against undefeated Team Alpha Male featherweight Chad Mendes.

Omigawa fought twice in the UFC's lightweight division in 2007 and 2008, losing decisions to Matt Wiman and Thiago Tavares, but since dropping to featherweight Omigawa has posted a stellar 8-2-1 record in Japan. Omigawa has won five straight fights, the most recent of which came against former WEC Featherweight Champion Cole Escovedo in September by submission.

Mendes moved his record to 9-0 last month with a unanimous decision victory over Javier Vasquez. The wrestler, teammate of the bantamweights Urijah Faber, Joseph Benavidez and Scott Jorgensen, has won his last four fights in the WEC. This bout will mark his UFC debut with the merger of the two organizations.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: I love this news. After suffering knockout losses in his first two career fights, Omigawa has only lost by decision since then. And as a featherweight, he's one of the best in the world, and the UFC's featherweight division is closing in on containing the very best in the world in that division as well. This merger is opening up the doors to the smaller weight Japanese talent, and this is going to be an awesome featherweight fight for early 2011.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_7785.shtml

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Canadian John Makdessi 'Blessed' to Make Octagon Debut at UFC 124

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MONTREAL -- MMA Fighting spoke to local fighter John Makdessi, who is scheduled to fight Pat Audinwood at UFC 124 on Saturday night. Makdessi talked about getting a shot in the UFC so early in his MMA career, his evolution from a kickboxer to an MMA fighter and training with Georges St-Pierre at Tristar.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/08/canadian-john-makdessi-blessed-to-make-octagon-debut-at-ufc-12/

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