Versus and UFC Hook Up For Two Live Events in 2010

For MMA fans, this is something that they'll like to hear. UFC has signed a deal with Versus for 2010, putting two live events on the network. It marks the first time that UFC will be live on a national sports network. In addition, Versus will also air 7 live WEC cards in 2010, further committing to MMA.

Here's the release:

VERSUS STAYS IN THE CAGE - NETWORK SIGNS MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION WITH WEC AND ADDS TWO UFC EVENTS TO 2010 LINEUP

NEW YORK, N.Y. (December 16, 2009)-VERSUS, the cable television home of World Extreme Cagefighting® (WEC®), today announced a multi-year extension with Zuffa LLC., the owners of both the WEC and UFC®.  As part of VERSUS' renewal deal, the network will air seven live WEC fights and two live UFC events in 2010, marking the first time that live UFC events will air on a national sports cable network. 

"Since 2007 fight fans have come to VERSUS for some of the best mixed martial arts action available on television.  WEC on VERSUS has been a tremendous catalyst for network growth and solidified our position as a top destination in the MMA category," said Marc Fein, Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and Business Operations for VERSUS.  "Continuing our thriving partnership with Zuffa and the addition of two UFC fights to our lineup will, without a doubt, propel VERSUS to the next level in live MMA offerings."  

Live WEC fights on VERSUS in 2009 have been watched by more than six million viewers so far, up 18 percent over 2008. In fact, three of the five most-watched fights in network history all took place this year. One of the network's most notable fights of 2009 was on June 7 and featured the most-anticipated featherweight re-match in MMA history between former featherweight title holder Urijah Faber and Mike Brown. The fight lived up to the hype and made VERSUS the top-rated cable network in the country among all the key male demos.

"We have had great success with VERSUS and are excited about extending our deal for WEC and airing UFC events in 2010," said Dana White, UFC President.

In addition to the live WEC and UFC fights, the renewal agreement also gives VERSUS.com the ability to stream exclusive content, including one non-televised fight and behind-the-scenes footage from each live WEC event. The site will continue to feature in-depth news and information about what is happening on the MMA scene through blog features and one-on-one video interviews with major WEC and UFC personalities.

VERSUS will also continue to produce and air new episodes of WEC WrekCAGE, a series featuring an explosive mix of VERSUS' best live events and the top matches from WEC events never before seen on television as well as additional WEC programming such as Best-of-Year and Greatest Knockouts specials.

VERSUS' final WEC fight of 2009 will take place on Saturday, December 19, when lightweight title contender Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone takes on Ed Ratcliff and Muay Thai sensation Anthony Njokuani battles former IFL star Chris Horodecki. The fight will air live on VERSUS at 10 p.m. ET and will originate from The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

The network's first live WEC fight in 2010 is scheduled for Sunday, January 10, at 9 p.m. ET and will feature the long-awaited lightweight title unification bout between reigning champion Jamie Varner and interim champion Ben Henderson at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. In addition to the main event championship bout, former featherweight champion "The California Kid" Urijah Faber makes his hometown return to face Raphael Assuncao, a top-ranked contender in the weight-class.

Certainly gives Versus and Comcast some additional ammunition in its negotiations with DirecTV. MMA fans will definitely want to see the live events and they are a very loud lot when it comes to wanting to see UFC live.