Ratings for the third episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 14" slipped compared to the first two installments.

Overall, episode No. 3 of the Spike TV reality series scored a 1.0 household rating and averaged 1.3 million viewers on Wednesday. The first and second episodes scored 1.5 million and 1.6 million viewers, respectively.

Spike TV officials today emailed the ratings information to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

This season features Michael Bisping and Jason "Mayhem" Miller as coaches. For the first time ever, the show spotlights bantamweight and featherweights fighters. In an elimination round of fights, an initial group of 32 was whittled down to 16, who are now official cast members.

In the third episode, Team Miller's Johnny Bedford defeated Team Bisping's Josh Ferguson via unanimous decision to advance to the semifinal round of the bantamweight division's tournament. Team Miller now leads 2-0.

Spike TV began airing "TUF" in early 2005, but as part of the UFC's mega-deal with FOX, the series moves to FX in 2012.

Spike TV is available in approximately 100 million homes.

The "TUF 14" episode-by-episode ratings include:

• "The Ultimate Fighter 14" episode No. 1: 1.5 million viewers
• "The Ultimate Fighter 14" episode No. 2: 1.6 million viewers
• "The Ultimate Fighter 14" episode No. 3: 1.3 million viewers