Philippines, 11 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SFT MMA Xtreme preparing for 2021 opener as reruns of past events drew huge viewing numbers on Brazilian television during pandemic

PhilBoxing.com




SAO PAULO, Brazil (May 17, 2021) – As SFT MMA Xtreme prepares for its tentative June 26th return in Brazil, despite being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in cancellations of several events, including those scheduled in the United States and Mexico, the promotional company was able to stay relevant by airing reruns of past events

SFT MMA Xtreme replays were shown every Saturday on Brazilian television, Band, and have been so well received by combat sports fans that viewing numbers were nearly as high as those most live vents.

A recent survey conducted by “MMA TV Ratings,” based on the average audience for the top five MMA events most watched on television in America in 2021, revealed that SFT had better comparative viewing numbers than compared to UFC, Combate Americas, ONE Championship, PFL and Bellator during the same period.
According to this report, the UFC averaged of 710,000 viewers on ABC and ESPN, 351,000 on Univision for Combate Americas, 274,000 on TNT for ONE Championship, 156,000 on ESPN2 for PFL and 95,000 for Bellator on Showtime.

Although the overall average combining the five MMA organizations was 1.5 million, SFT average 1.2 million viewers on Band.

The January 16th UFC event on ABC, headlined by Max Halloway and Calvin Kattar, had an average 1.2 million viewers. The SFT Awards #2 show, shown on Band, registered 1.1 million viewers. Last year, SFT 23 averaged 1.4 million, SFT 21 had 1.5 million, and replays of SFT from June average 1,.8 million.

“I was surprised by these numbers and, at the same time, very happy,” SFT president David Hudson said. “When I arrived at SFT, after the fourth season, we had the idea to do more events featuring female MMA. We were questioned and warned that everything was going to go wrong, but it proved to be the exact opposite. The venue was full and right up to today, these female events (SFT 6, 17 and 22) were our biggest, Our show in Mexico was also a great success, so I proved to everyone that female MMA had fans and just as many good fights as men. Everybody said I was crazy to match Brazilian states, Sao Paul versus Rio, in SFT 12, which remains out best-ever event. They believed MMA doesn’t not have true fans in Brazil, that people only go watch their instructors and gym partners, but that was the way things had been done in Brazil prior to SFT 12. Our viewers have increased, and we’ve been showing reruns for 14 months, since live events have not been held with fans since the start of the pandemic. The good news is that the numbers have been maintained. I’m happy but want to do better. I was impressed. I saw our numbers here and UFC’s in the United States and their numbers never came close to what we did here in Brazil.

“The five biggest MMA events combined that were shown in the U.S. had viewer numbers only a little higher than what SFT did alone in Brazil. UFC is the biggest promotion in the world – SFT isn’t comparable to UFC – but we’re certainly on the right track. SFT is a machine capable of doing much more. I would like to highlight SFT more on our social networks and on our YouTube channel, which has become increasingly solid with impressive numbers. We did a great job for three years, one of which was during the pandemic with practically no live events with fans. Post-pandemic, SFT intends to strengthen our work in Brazil, United States and Mexico. More and more, athletes want to be seen, and SFT gives them that visibility.”

INFORMATION:
Website: www.sftmma.com
Facebook: /SFT.MMA, /SFT.Xtreme, davidhudson.SFT
Twitter: @SFTMMA, @SFTUSA
Instagram: @SFTMMA, @SFTEXTREME, @DavidHudson.SFT
You Tube: /SFTUSA, /SFTBrasil




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • “The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.