mma

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.”

Sauce

keltik

Oh dear...

keltik

Ninjavideo.net is a very good site for videos, both flash and divx. They have a large selection of UFC, TUF, Pride, Affliction, Dream, M-1, Elite XC, boxing and some wrestling videos. Events are often available the next day. Check out the links below for more.

UFC Videos
TUF Videos
Assorted MMA Videos
Wrestling Videos
Boxing Videos

keltik

Ive just watched Nog vs Couture, anyone else seen it? WTF was with the ref in the 3rd round? When Nog knocked Randy down, he knocked him out, his legs went, his hands fell and you could see in his face he was out. And then not stopping the ground and pound?? I think there was a little bias there for Couture, not that it did him any favours in the end, but I think that fight was over early in the 3rd.

Links to video -

Part 1 - http://www.ninjavideo.net/video/37381
Part 2 - http://www.ninjavideo.net/video/37382

keltik

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has left troubled broadcaster Setanta Sports, it was confirmed to Fighters Only earlier.

On Tuesday morning the Setanta website contains no reference to the UFC after being served with a termination notice yesterday.

UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik said: “It was with great regret that the UFC ended its relationship with Setanta. Over the last two years, Setanta has helped the UFC become the biggest indoor sporting event in the British Isles.

“They were the right partner for us at the right time as we continued to build the sport of mixed martial arts and our brand.

“Throughout the last few weeks we have been kept informed of the situation at Setanta and therefore we are in a position to ensure our UK and Eire fans will not miss any of this summer’s huge UFC events, commencing with UFC 100 in July.

“We will be announcing the new home of UFC shortly but assure our fans they won’t miss any of the upcoming super-fights."

And Zelaznik added: “On behalf of the UFC I want to wish the team at Setanta all the strength to get through what must be very difficult times. We have worked very closely with the entire Setanta team over the past years and wish them the best of luck in the future."

Setanta recently lost its Premiership Football rights and is believed to be going into administration later this week. The cable and satellite broadcaster was the leading independent sports channel in the UK and Ireland before its costs began spiralling out of control, precipitating the meltdown it is currently going through.

Setanta had been the broadcaster of UFC(R) live events and programming since January 2008.

Sauce

Needless to say, I'm fucking pissed that the tiny little bit of MMA that we get here in the UK is gone.

keltik

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past few weeks, all of the messages go a long way to keeping you motivated when training camp is tough. My team, as always, did a great job in getting me ready for UFC 99 and I cant thank them enough. Nathan Leverton, Owen Comrie, Jim Wallhead and all the boys at Rough House. Ollie Richardson and Sonny Dholakia, for getting me in shape. My guys in LA, Eddie Bravo and the 10th Planet guys, Freddie Roach and the Wildcard gym, Shawn Guttridge and all the Legends MMA guys.

My family and Elizabeth, thank you for putting up with me and always showing their love and support. To all of my fans, particularly the ‘Party Hardy’ guys for the chaos they caused! To my sponsors for investing in me and helping me train full time and compete at the top level, and to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to live my dream.

I would also like the thank Marcus, his team and all of his fans. Sure, there is no love lost between us, but he is one tough dude. There is something about trading punches for fifteen minutes that makes you respect a guy. I know he isn’t happy with the fight and still angry at the things said beforehand, that is understandable. It was a close fight and he was in the shape of his life for it, respect for that.

There has been a lot of talk on the forums since the fight and its great to see so many people enjoyed the show. He is getting a lot of heat for his actions after the fight, but remember he has put on eleven solid performances in the UFC now and deserves everyone’s respect.

Again, thanks to everyone, especially the fans. I look forward to fighting for you again.

Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy

Sauce