There isn’t a lot that could comfort UFC fans at present after UFC 196’s main event of Rafael dos Anjos Vs Conor McGregor was scrapped due to RDA suffering a broken foot, but this news could help British fans a little.
It has been announced that the BBC has agreed a deal with the UFC to broadcast MMA in the UK.
The deal will see BBC Three produce preview and post-fight video content, while also offering live commentary of fights.
BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh said:
BBC Three has a history of covering emerging sports that appeal to young audiences in new ways, and our coverage of UFC will be no different.
We already offer sport on The Daily Drop and it’s right we cover one of the fastest growing, and most talked-about sports in the world, which has millions of fans in the UK, all in a BBC Three way. The deal is mutually beneficial and demonstrates how BBC Three can experiment with new types of content, from new partners, in new ways.
Last year we made a documentary featuring MMA and offered live coverage of League of Legends from Wembley with both well received by younger audiences, so in the spirit of innovation, we welcomed the chance to work with the UFC.
The deal kicks off almost immediately with the now online channel previewing UFC Fight Night London, which will be headlined by Michael Bisping fighting Anderson Silva on February 27.
As reported by The Independent the deal will operate outside BT Sport’s live broadcasting contract.
It has also been promised that a series of short films will be produced on individual UFC stars, including Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, and on the sport of MMA as a whole.
