Don’t expect everyone to sit around a campfire singing “Kum By Ya” to the UFC’s recently announced seven-year deal with Fox.
According to UFC President Dana White, ESPN canceled a promotional interview for UFC 134 that was scheduled for the week of the event.
The cancellation comes on the heels of a major network deal that promises to bring UFC programming and live events to Fox, FX and Fuel TV.
“ESPN always hated us and now they hate us more now that we are on Fox,” White posted on Twitter. “They canceled my [interview] next week for UFC Rio. [Expletive] ESPN.”
UFC 134 will take place on August 27 at HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The event marks the second time the promotion has put on a show in Brazil since UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil in 1998. With such a star-studded cast on a historic venue, UFC 134 is expected to be one of the biggest cards of the year.
Anderson Silva, who is arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, will defend his UFC middleweight title against top 185-pound contender Yushin Okami.
The co-main event features a rematch between former light heavyweight champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin.
ESPN officials could not be reached for comment.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for more on this unfolding story.
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