The television network Versus today announced a multi-year extension with Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC and WEC.
Under the new deal, the network will air seven live WEC events, as well as two live UFC events in 2010. It will be the first time a live UFC event is broadcast on a national sports cable network.
“We recognize that mixed martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sports genres,” said Versus President Jamie Davis. “It’s bringing in a new audience that hasn’t watched us before.”
The average Versus viewer is 45-year old, however, MMA events broadcast on the network draw an average viewer age 36.
Also included in the new deal are digital media rights, allowing versus.com to air one non-televised fight and behind-the-scenes footage from each WEC event.
The next WEC event is scheduled for this Saturday, December 19th, featuring a headline bout between Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff. The first fight will start at 10pm live on Versus.
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