Mixed martial arts promoter Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has cut a multi-year, multi-platform rights agreement with Fox Sports Media Group (FSMG). A few UFC events will be on Fox, but most will air on FX or Fuel.
Under the deal between Fox Sports Media Group and Zuffa LLC, owner of the UFC brand, four live events each year will air in primetime or late night on Fox. The first will be Saturday, November 12th at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT.
Additional programming on multiple FSMG networks launches January 2012 and includes live fights, pre and post shows, countdown shows, UFC Unleashed, UFC Primetime, the UFC Knockout series, Best of Pride, weigh-in specials, and more. The agreement also provides for developing robust mobile and authenticated online offerings to exploit a vast array of digital platform rights.
In spring 2012, “The Ultimate Fighter,” UFC’s signature weekly reality show moves to FX from Viacom’s Spike. It will also get a new format, as yet undisclosed. FX is also set to televise another four-to six-live UFC events annually, with a mixture of additional events and programs heading to FSMG cable networks including Fuel.
“We’re excited to be part of the Fox family,” said Dana White, UFC President. “The UFC is finally where it belongs on the number one network in the country and aligned with the most prestigious sports properties in the world. I’ve always said that the UFC will be the biggest sport in the world and with this relationship it will become a reality.”
“Mixed martial arts is not only the fastest growing sport in the world, but also the world’s most exciting form of man-to-man competition, and the UFC is the world’s premier MMA organization,” said FSMG President & Co-COO Eric Shanks.
