Its going to be an Indian summer for mixed martial arts.

Hot on the heels of the first two Super Fight League events, the UFC has today announced the signing of a deal to broadcast UFC programming across the world’s most populous country.

The deal with Multi Screen Media - a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television - will see UFC content broadcast to India and the rest of the sub-continent via MSM’s new sports channel SIX.

Live events will air on SIX as well as taped specials and events and bouts from the extensive Zuffa archives.

“When we went to India over a year ago I felt the market held enormous potential for the UFC,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, Chairman of UFC.

“India has a long history of martial arts and traditional wrestling like Kushti. Indian athletes have also demonstrated world class levels in combat sports, as evidenced by the country’s 2008 Olympic medallists in wrestling and boxing.” 

“I’ve been saying for a few years that India would be next and it was just a matter of finding the right partner in the market,” said Dana White, President of the UFC.

“MSM has been a pioneer in India, broadcasting  new sports franchises like the IPL. We’ve got big plans for India and MSM couldn’t be a better partner” 

“We are delighted to be bringing the best of the sport of mixed martial arts to India,” said Man Jit Singh, CEO of Multi Screen Media Private Ltd. “Mixed martial arts requires tremendous physical conditioning, skill and strategy and we hope it will be an inspiration to young India.

“We hope the programming that will be premiered on our Sports channel – SIX, will motivate a new generation to compete on the world stage in one of the fastest growing sports.”