Ratings figures were released by ShowBuzz Daily. The previous low for an ESPN-televised card came when UFC on ESPN 2 averaged 828,000 viewers for a card headlined by Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza on March 30.
UFC on ESPN 5 took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Aug. 3 and was headlined by a welterweight duel between Colby Covington and Robbie Lawler. The main card started earlier than usual, beginning at approximately 3 p.m. ET and running until 6 p.m. ET. Ratings peaked at 945,000 viewers for the main event, which Covington won by unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, the UFC on ESPN 5 prelims averaged 523,000 viewers. The featured bout for that portion of the card was a welterweight showdown between Mickey Gall and Salim Touhri. Gall won the contest via unanimous decision.