With the recent announcement of a seven-year partnership between the UFC and FOX Sports, MMA fans and fighters are excited about the potential for what’s to come.
Georges St. Pierre and Rashad Evans were both on set of today’s press conference from the Fox lot to discuss the monumental deal with MMA H.E.A.T’s Karyn Bryant.
“It’s a big deal,” said Evans, who is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. “It’s the chance for our sport to be seen on the level on the likes of football, Nascar, Major League Baseball and hockey, and that’s one thing our sport has been lacking.”
“The demographic is going to draw, and so many people seeing the UFC for the first time is going to be huge for us, and it’s going to be huge for our whole organization,” Evans continued. “As an athlete, I want to compete on the biggest stage and having this opportunity gives me that to compete on the biggest stage.”
The deal will consist of six events being broadcast on FX with four others being shown on FOX. The first event will be held on November 12, 2011.
“It’s an opportunity to perform to a bigger range of audience so it’s very exciting for us,” said St. Pierre, who is the current UFC Welterweight Champion.
Other parts of the deal include major changes to The Ultimate Fighter. Plans are to take everything live, including the fights and the verbal exchanges between the coaches. Everything will be in real-time.
Instead of having the coaches go back to training camps while the season airs, they will now be forced to prepare for the fight while on the show and have to fight immediately after the show is over.
“If they say I’m going to have to do it then I’m going to have to do it,” St. Pierre said. “It should not be that bad because my opponent will be on the same circumstances that I am.”
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