The prelims before UFC 234 averaged 1,339,000 viewers, the best in more than two years, but that number is misleading.
Normally strong prelim numbers are for the biggest pay-per-views. With the Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum main event falling through, expectations would be that the pay-per-view numbers will not be strong. Even with that fight, it looked to be a low-end number, with the most drawing power being based on Anderson Silva’s first fight in two years.
The difference is the move to ESPN itself has helped the UFC by being on a stronger station.