Report: UFC and ESPN Reach Deal for UK Broadcasts Starting With UFC 101
The UFC and ESPN have reportedly reached an agreement to air UFC events on ESPN in the UK beginning with UFC 101 on August 8, The Sun is reporting.
The UFC previously partnered with Setanta for its UK broadcasts, but the company’s collapse in June left the UFC scrambling to find a new broadcast partner. A temporary deal was reached to air UFC 100 on Sky and UFC.com earlier this month, and it now appears a more-permanent solution has been secured.
ESPN’s UK channel launches on August 3, with UFC 101, headlined by BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian and Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin, likely to be one of the first major events broadcast on the network.
A deal between the UFC and ESPN to air UFC events on ABC in the United States is also rumored to be in the works, but has not yet been confirmed.
The UFC is expected to announce the broadcast developments at its Friday press conference.
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If the UFC decides to broadcast on ESPN instead of doing PPV’s in the US, we’ll be saving $540 a year.
yet it wouldn’t save on the cost of beer, whisky, or vodka… Probably food too, ya your suppose to eat I think owell good for dem UK guys first TUF now this anything is possible except beating Hendo owell enjoy the UFC/ESPN UK deal ;-)
That’s probably why it’s for the UK only.
Although a second reading suggests ADDITIONAL events may air on ESP/ABC. They will not replace PPVs. Spike may be getting cut out here.
SPIKE til 2011 I believe…. Doesn’t mean that ESPN/ABC cant work
I would be more worried if I were Versus. It would make more sense for the UFC to show WEC events. Yes, technically, they are different brands, but the UFC basically runs the WEC.
No BsBiz ZUFFA “runs” both,the UFC doesn’t run the WEC, its just kinda like that abusive older brother you just listen to him a bit more
lol^^^ funny Fr. countdown to the friday press conference is a little over 51 hours. im anxiously waiting
thank you sir
K so they will get the ppv’s free over there? That would be a bunch of BS.
dbiz, Clarify it for me I’m sure your dying to.
I’m under the impression (from past comments on here) that, except for the monthly fee to get Setanta (the channel), there never was an additional charge for the PPVs over there.
Perhaps you should snottily ask someone from the UK how ESPN works over there. I’m sure they would all LOVE to enlighten you.
it is going to cost me £9 a month for subscription to the channel so and that will be it!
LOVE The Brit xxx
Oh and P.S I think Bisping is a tool just like you YANK’S
Bigworthy,
come on dude, “you yanks”, don’t you think that’s a bit offensive?
what about the southerners? they ain’t Yanks
lol why are you guys complaining about bein called yanks, a UK fan just agreed Bisping is a tool.
Sorry dude’s not said offensively, just well all you lot say “Brits” I’m English not welsh, Irish or Scottish.
Oh and thanks Bharris4, believe me everything else in this country costs a ton so i need my MMA to be cheap!
Bigharris4, just because a “UK fan” called Bisping a tool doesn’t make it ok to say “you yanks”,
BIgWorthy, we know that “de lot of yuh” aren’t all brits or welsh, just like we are not all “yanks” :)
BigWorthy,
It’s the “Yanks” who are bringing all this awesome **** to you guys. “A little taste of hypocracy” -Linkin Park
Oh yeah, and your boy Bisping got his ass deredrum by a tool!
“Oh and P.S I think Bisping is a tool”
I don’t think Bisping is “his boy”. Illiteracy much?
dbiz! my # 1 fan!
Since BigWorthy’s a brit, i said that michael bisping’s his boy…literacy much???
(in a dad’s tone talking to his 2 year old son)
DBIZ, incase you didn’t get it, i was trying to get on bigworthy’s nerves by my “your boy” comment since he clearly stated that he thought bisping is a tool. Get it?
Ok, so your point was that…you aren’t very good at being anything but slow – even when trying to be funny. Got it.
Short bus will be by in about 10 minutes to take you to school. Try not to lick the windows though. The recent economic slowdown made them stop buying Windex.
AND here WE go :P
dbiz aka President Of My fan Club,
You couldn’t understand what was coming across and yet you’re calling me slow?!?
It’s kool dude, i know it’s around that time of month for you again.
Jazzkok Chill!
Your wearisome exasperating Illiteracy skills can’t offend somebody when factually incorrect. Although I should of COUNTed on this from you reading your previous posts.
My Boy.
Bigworthy,
FYI I just approved your membership to my fan club.
It’s flattering to know that you as well have taken such an interest in my opinions. :)
In the future I see a time where networks and cable channels are bringing us a variety of MMA promotions, like Strikeforce, WEC, UFC, DREAM, and maybe one of these networks or cable channels will start their own promotion to get in on the action as our sport explodes into the mainstream.
Imagine 5 years from now some cable channel like TNT decides, “hey, why should everybody else be getting fat off of MMA, we can do this”…and decides to launch something called, lets say, TNT Sportfight! or something equally trendy and marketable.
I know it sounds far-fetched, but 5 years ago no one would have forseen where the sport is right now, so anything is possible…
dbiz,
A I wasn’t being a dick… OK I was but just because I thought you would have said something way more ****tier than ya did.
I think ESPN is going to be a bit like Setanta but let’s hope they don’t overstretch themselves. They can’t do PPV over here yet as its not popular enough yet. Hence why Dana wants British fighters to do well so it will lead to becoming PPV. But as most of the American fans hate the British fighters, I can’t see that happening without Dana’s help e.g feeding Bisping cans. I also dislike Bisping as he is not professional and just not likeable, but the sport needs those characters too, well that is the reasoning for Lesnar and the heat he gets. I hope someone like Wilks doesn’t get hated on, he did beat marques johnson and who liked him??
Off the subject:
Bonner wants to fight Tito I heard…
Why would he want an even better wrestler than, just HELD him down all night?
Coleman dude come on he’s more than warshed up. Easy “W” for Ortiz if it happens.
Yes I think Bonnar may have lost the plot a little after that loss? Unless he wants to prove he can beat that sort of guy, in the shape of Tito? I’m not so sure.
The only reason Bonnar still has a job is because of his first fight with Forrest Griffin.
Dana White can’t do an interview where the first TUF finale comes up without him giving those 2 their props.
Although at some point Bonnar is going to have to start winning fights if he doesn’t want to wind up fighting Fedor in Saitama…