UK and Irish mixed martial arts fans set to get a better deal.
The UFC has announced they have signed a three-year deal with the soon to be launched pay television platform BT Sport ahead of the channel’s launch on August 1.
Exact details of the UFC content to be featured on the channel has not been announced but is expected to include more fight highlights, additional taped content such as panel shows and programming specific to the UK and Ireland.
The UFC made its home on ESPEN UK for since 2009 with fans unhappy with the level of exposure the sport has received on the platform.
UFC Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa Garry Cook said BT Sport gives the UFC and MMA the chance to delve deeper and not just air news but promote the sport.
“What we’ve worked hard on is finding a TV partner that just doesn’t pay money for our rights but actually gives us the opportunity to produce and develop a magazine program that tells the story and creates awareness about the sport,” Cook said.
Cook said he also understood the annoyance of fans in the UK and Ireland given the time difference between them and the United States.
With most live events airing at 2am, Cook said additional content would hopefully cater to the rapidly growing fan-base of the promotion and MMA in general in the UK and Ireland.
COMMENTS