The McGregor factor: TUF ratings see big increase

Conor McGregor may have been the shot in the arm "The Ultimate Fighter" needed.

Now in its 22nd season, the formulaic, well-worn reality show saw a 27 percent uptick for its two-hour season debut Wednesday, amassing 622,000 viewers from 10 p.m. to midnight ET, up from 490,000 viewers for the opening episode of the 21st season, according to MMAFighting.com's Dave Meltzer.

The show peaked at 745,000 viewers, launching Fox Sports 1 into second place among sports networks on the night, trailing only ESPN, who did 788,000 viewers for a Los Angeles Dodgers-Los Angeles Angels game.

TUF 22 features a European team coached by McGregor pitted against an American team helmed by Urijah Faber.