UFC and Sportsnet Ink Deal

TORONTO (March 7, 2011) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® and Rogers Sportsnet today announced a four-year agreement for broadcast rights to UFC® television events in Canada.

Sportsnet, the live-event high-definition leader in Canada, will have a consistent schedule of UFC programming including preliminary fights of UFC Pay-Per-View events and UFC Fight Night™ events while also having the home sports position for the 10 p.m. (ET) timeslot for The Ultimate Fighter® series. In addition, Sportsnet will broadcast live non Pay-Per-View international UFC events and provide UFC content on a non-exclusive basis across other platforms.

“This deal cements our commitment to bring fans the best UFC coverage in Canada,” said Scott Moore, President, Rogers Broadcasting.  “Sportsnet is excited about this partnership with the UFC as the sport continues to rapidly grow in this country and beyond.”

“We’re excited to announce a new deal with Rogers Sportsnet that will put the UFC in millions of homes in Canada,” UFC President Dana White said. “Canada is an amazing market for this sport and we look forward to bringing the fans more UFC programming. We’re happy to have a strong television partner in Canada like Rogers Sportsnet.”

“This is great news for the UFC and our fans,” said Tom Wright, UFC Director of Canadian Operations. “Canadians are hungry for UFC shows and segments and now have so much to look forward to as we continue to grow the sport together with Sportsnet.”

“Showdown” Joe Ferraro is the featured UFC analyst for Sportsnet Connected and sportsnet.ca, reporting on all UFC events.  He is also the host of MMA Connected, which presents highlights and news from around the mixed martial arts world every Monday night.  Sportsnet has been broadcasting UFC programming for the past four years.