UFC Inks TV Deal in U.K.
Sherdog.com Staff Sep 8, 2009
UFC highlights will air on free TV in the United Kingdom, the
promotion announced Tuesday.
The UFC has signed a terrestrial television deal with Five, a British network that airs “Monday Night Football,” to create a new program titled “UFC: Main Event.” The show will regularly feature some of the UFC’s best bouts and kicks off Sept. 14 with the UFC 102 main event between Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
“This is a huge step for the UFC in the UK,” UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik said in a news release. “We are delighted to partner up with Five -- who are trailblazers in their approach to both sports and programming -- and bring the best bouts and the world’s greatest fighters to the largest possible audience. We know we are going to create a whole new generation of UFC fans on Five.”
Five’s sister channel, Five USA, is the new U.K. home of “The Ultimate Fighter” as well.
“We are excited to add the UFC to our sports portfolio and, indeed, add the ‘Ultimate Fighter’ reality TV series to Five USA,” said Robert Charles, Five Head of Sport, in a statement. “We are well aware of the impact the UFC has made in the UK over the last few years and believe this is the perfect time for Five to climb inside the Octagon.”
The UFC has signed a terrestrial television deal with Five, a British network that airs “Monday Night Football,” to create a new program titled “UFC: Main Event.” The show will regularly feature some of the UFC’s best bouts and kicks off Sept. 14 with the UFC 102 main event between Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
“This is a huge step for the UFC in the UK,” UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik said in a news release. “We are delighted to partner up with Five -- who are trailblazers in their approach to both sports and programming -- and bring the best bouts and the world’s greatest fighters to the largest possible audience. We know we are going to create a whole new generation of UFC fans on Five.”
Five’s sister channel, Five USA, is the new U.K. home of “The Ultimate Fighter” as well.
“We are excited to add the UFC to our sports portfolio and, indeed, add the ‘Ultimate Fighter’ reality TV series to Five USA,” said Robert Charles, Five Head of Sport, in a statement. “We are well aware of the impact the UFC has made in the UK over the last few years and believe this is the perfect time for Five to climb inside the Octagon.”
