As expected, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is heading to FOX.
UFC and FOX officials today announced a new seven-year, multi-media rights agreement that includes four live events, broadcast in primetime on FOX, as well as four-to-six live events each year on FOX's cable network, FX.
FX will also broadcast extensive UFC programming, including live fights, pre- and post-event shows, countdown shows, 'UFC Unleashed,' 'UFC Primetime,' 'UFC Knockouts,' 'Best of PRIDE' and weigh-in specials, as well as "The Ultimate Fighter," which will now feature live fights and fan-voted matchup during two annual seasons.
The UFC's first FOX-broadcast event takes place Nov. 12. UFC president Dana White said the likely venue for the event is Anaheim, Calif. He did not reveal any fights for the card.
"We're excited to be part of the FOX family," White stated in an official release. "The UFC is finally where it belongs on the No. 1 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."
FUEL TV and FOX Deportes will also feature UFC programming.
"My brother Frank, Dana and I always believed that our passion for the sport of mixed martial arts would help us to build the UFC into a successful global brand and ultimately make it one of the premier sports properties in the world," UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta stated. "The partnership with FOX is a major step in making this a reality and also builds on the great relationship that we already have established with FOX in Latin America, Australia and Europe."
Source: UFC announces seven-year deal with FOX, debuts live fights on Nov. 12