UFC Embraces Mexico as a Potential New Market for Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is the fastest growing sport in the world, and sees incredible potential in Mexico. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which recently announced a reported seven-year, $100 million partnership with FOX Sports Network, is enthusiastic about both Mexican fighters and fans.
One reason the Mexican market is attractive to the UFC is that many top-tier MMA fighters are Mexican or Mexican-American. Names such as Cain Velasquez, Dominick Cruz, Tito Ortiz, Miguel Torres, Roger Huerta, and Gilbert Melendez shine in the UFC and are considered elite martial artists.
In recent interviews with MexicoToday, UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz credited the incredible work ethic of the Mexican fighter to this success, whereas rising UFC contender Aaron Rosa explained Mexican athletes such as himself have the heart that set them apart. Read more
ProElite Announced Multi-Fight Deal with HDNet
ProElite announced it has signed a new, multi-fight, multi-year television deal, unveiled on last night’s LIVE broadcast of “Inside MMA”. The fight promotions company will air LIVE coverage of “HDNet Fights: ProElite – Big Guns” on November 5 at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL.
“After watching their first event in Hawaii, I could see ProElite was a great fit for HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “This upcoming card has the perfect mix of marquee names and an innovative Heavyweight tournament that fight fans won’t want to miss!”
Former UFC Heavyweight Champions Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski will headline the event in separate bouts in addition to an 8-man Heavyweight tournament to identify the up-and-coming talent among MMA’s heavy hitters. Read more
MMA’s Top Featherweights Take Center Stage This Friday on HDNet
Consensus Top 10 Featherweights Marlon Sandro and Hatsu Hioki Collide; Plus UFC #1 Featherweight Contender Mark Hominick on Inside MMA – Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET
With the recent merger of the WEC and UFC, mixed martial arts’ Featherweights are having a coming out party as they ascend to the sport’s biggest stage. This Friday on HDNet, Your Home for MMA, three of the world’s top Featherweights take center stage both in and out of the ring.
“HDNet Fights: World Victory Road- Soul of Fight Part 1″ makes its North American debut at 10:00 p.m. ET. In the main event of the evening top ten consensus ranked Featherweights square off when #4 Marlon Sandro (17-1) defends his SRC Featherweight Title against #8 Hatsu Hioki (22-4-2) in a bout that Michael “The Voice” Schiavello described as “truly exceptional.”
Other featured fighters on part one of Sengoku’s New Year fighting festival include former SRC Featherweight champion Masanori Kanehara, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, Kazuo Misaki, Ryo Chonan, and new Japanese female star, the muscle-bound Rin Nakai. Read more
Werdum vs Fedor: Fabricio Werdum defeats Fedor Emelianenko in Round 1
STRIKEFORCE: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum was the main fight on Strikeforce Saturday`s night big show hosted in San Jose, California.
In the front of 12,698 crowd, Fabricio Werdum won by a quick TKO (1.09) against Fedor Emelianenko.
In the opening seconds of the big fight, it looked as if Emelianenko (31-2) would quickly beat Werdum (14-4-1) like he does most opponents. But Werdum, a master of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, considered to be a man who had the skills to beat the legendary Russian nicknamed The Last Emperor, locked Emilianenko in a triangle choke with an armbar and the mythical Fedor Emelianenko was forced to tap out at 1:09 of the first round.
“Fedor always has been my idol” Werdum said. Emilianenko was the best in the world with 10 years of no loss.
Amazing fight, very good fighters!
HDNet announces multi-year partnership with Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage
Network to Feature Internationally Recognized MMA Organization and Emmy Award Winning Producer
HDNet announces a multi-year partnership with “Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage,” in which, under terms of the agreement, the network will feature LIVE “King of the Cage” events every month.
The first event will air on HDNet on Friday, February 12 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
“King of the Cage and Mark Burnett are pioneers in their respective fields, and we are excited to feature ‘Mark Burnett Presents: King of the Cage’ on HDNet as part of our commitment to being the home of MMA,” said Mark Cuban, Chairman and Co-founder of HDNet. “The award-winning story telling of Mark Burnett will bring the personalities of MMA to life in a way that has never been seen before.”
“MMA fighters are some of the most fascinating personalities I have ever encountered, and I am excited about the opportunity to help KOTC to bring those characters to life on HDNet,” said Mark Burnett. “I am impressed with the quality of King of the Cage, and we look forward to bringing their brand to the next level in conjunction with Mark Cuban, who is one of the truly great entrepreneurs of media and sports.”
“King of the Cage is committed to delivering great fights while developing the stars of tomorrow in MMA,” said Terry Trebilcock, President of King of the Cage. “Working with Mark Burnett and HDNet provides us with the perfect platform to do just that.”
Founded in 1998, “King of the Cage” has become the most prolific MMA promoter in the United States, and has grown into an internationally recognized brand, with events in Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. It has launched the careers of many MMA superstars including Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson, and Urijah Faber.
Mark Burnett is a leading executive producer for primetime television, cable and the Internet, and has produced over 1,100 hours of television programming which regularly air in over 70 countries around the world. Burnett has revolutionized television with continuing hits such as “Survivor” (CBS), “The Apprentice” (NBC), the now syndicated “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (FOX), which is currently being produced in 55 countries, the daytime syndicated hit “Martha,” and the hit series “Shark Tank” (ABC); giving Mark a different series on each of the four major networks.
Burnett also produces the MTV Movie Awards and Bully Beatdown (MTV). Burnett started off 2010 with a bang, producing the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards (CBS).