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With host Jon Anik, ‘UFC: Ultimate Insider’ to lead FOX Sports 1 debut

BAD MMA News — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 18:00:00 +0000

When FOX Sports 1 blinks to life on Aug. 17, UFC programming will be front and center. That evening, the promotion will hold UFC Fight Night 26 on the new cable network from TD Garden in Boston. But earlier that day, a cornerstone of UFC shoulder programming will beam to an estimated 90 million homes across the country. UFC commentator Jon Anik told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that “UFC: Ultimate Insider” is likely to lead a block of UFC programming that culminates with the live fight card. “I believe it will begin with ‘Ultimate Insider’ at 3 p.m. (ET), so it’s going to be a huge day of UFC programming and ‘UFC: Ultimate Insider,’ hopefully, will be the show that kicks it all off,” Anik said. The show, which profiles UFC athletes and goes behind the scenes at live events, debuted in 2010 as a web-only series before being moved to FUEL TV with the UFC’s broadcast deal with FOX. In the past three years, host Anik has interviewed some of the biggest names in the sport and given fans an inside look into the lives of UFC fighters. “I enjoy the opportunity to interview fighters, and to introduce the features, but it’s all about the fighters and the producers, who just get us such great content on location,” he said. Anik, who previously worked as a commentator at ESPN before joining the UFC’s ranks in 2011, said the switch to FOX Sports 1 could prompt a move from the show’s usual Tuesday evening time slot to Sunday, though he said nothing had been decided. “I think that’s still to be decided,” he said. “We’re hoping to get picked up for a third season.” If it is, Anik said, he’ll still be an integral part of the show beyond his work in front of the camera. “I think for any TV personality, you really want to write your own stuff as much as possible,” he said

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With host Jon Anik, ‘UFC: Ultimate Insider’ to lead FOX Sports 1 debut – MMA Junkie

UFC middleweight Brian Stann retires from MMA to focus on broadcasting, family

BAD MMA News — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 19:15:00 +0000

UFC middleweight Brian Stann , a former WEC light heavyweight champion, has announced his retirement from the sport. Stann (12-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) exits the sport after a “Fight of the Night” loss to Wanderlei Silva in March in what will be his final fight. Stann confirmed his retirement to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com); he made his official announcement on ” The MMA Hour .” Stann will now focus his career on broadcasting and his family. On Wednesday, FOX Sports announced the Atlanta-area resident is part of the new Atlantic Coast Conference football crew for FOX Sports South. Since the UFC’s broadcast deal with FOX began in 2012, Stann has been active as an analyst for both FOX and FUEL TV’s pre- and post-fight UFC event coverage. “Yesterday, news broke that I’m going to be branching out and doing some college football,” Stann said on the show. “But a couple months ago, I had made the decision and just wasn’t sure when I would announce it, that I was no longer going to continue fighting

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UFC middleweight Brian Stann retires from MMA to focus on broadcasting, family – MMA Junkie

Bellator inks broadcast deal in United Kingdom with Viacom-owned VIVA

BAD MMA News — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Bellator’s broadcast reach now extends to 116 countries after inking a deal to bring tournament action to U.K. MMA fans. The Viacom-owned VIVA channel is set to broadcast Bellator MMA events starting this month with Bellator 96, which kicks off the promotion’s “Summer Series,” the promotion announced today in a press release. Bellator’s ninth season begins in September. Viacom also owns a majority stake in Bellator after a deal struck in October 2011. VIVA boasts a broadcast reach of 26 million homes and garners half its audience from the 16-34 year-old demographic, with 3.7 million young viewers tuning in monthly, stated the release.

SFL 19 Friday Fight Nights Live Stream Features Heavyweight Showdown

BAD MMA News — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:20:16 +0000

Super Fight League is back in action on Friday June 7th, 2013 for another action packed Friday Fight Nights event. SFL 19 will feature a heavyweight showdown for the ages in the Main Event as 25-year-old K-1 fighter Jaideep Singh goes to battle against 33-year old Alireza Tavakoli of Iran. Singh, a native of India, will be making his MMA debut for Super Fight League but comes into the event with a strong kickboxing background amassing a record of 40-16-1 and was both K-1 2009 World Grand Prix in Seoul Champion as well as 2011 RISE Heavyweight Tournament Champion. SFL’s Chairman Raj Kundra said, “This year is off to am amazing start, from our partnership with Mountain Dew to the STAR Sports broadcast deal. Simply put SFL is the biggest MMA Promotion in Asia.” One of the most recognized stars of SFL will fight in the Co-Main Event.

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SFL 19 Friday Fight Nights Live Stream Features Heavyweight Showdown – MMA Weekly