British UFC fans got some welcome news today with the announcement that the freeview channel Five USA will once again be broadcasting UFC programming across the country. Starting Wednesday April 3rd, UK fight fans will get a weekly fix of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell v Team Ortiz.
The latest season of the full-contact reality show sees 28 up-and-coming middleweights competing for the title of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and a guaranteed six-figure contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
This season will feature a brand new format, fights from the very first episode as well as feature two coaches who need no introduction to mixed martial arts fans, UFC legends and former champions Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Tito “The Huntington Beach Badboy” Ortiz.
“It’s great to have TUF back on FIVE USA,” UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik said. “We’ve really shaken the format up this season with 28 contestants trying for that career-changing contract with the UFC.
“ Long-time UFC fans will be familiar with the great rivalry between Chuck and Tito. These guys want to beat each other so badly no matter what they are competing in so you can expect them to go all out to get their own fighters in the finale.”
Jeff Ford, Managing Director of Acquisitions & Digital Channels at Five USA said, “I’m delighted to renew this deal with UFC to bring Five USA viewers the best in mixed martial arts. With UFC legends and former champions Chuck and Tito fronting TV’s toughest show, Five USA viewers will be able to enjoy some of the best mixed martial arts from around the world.”
Not only that, but the the UFC’s hugely popular ‘Main Event’ programme returns at 11:55pm on Sunday April 11 for an historic show. Nottingham’s Dan ‘the Outlaw’ Hardy becomes the first Briton ever to challenge for a UFC World Title when he steps up to face welterweight sensation Georges St-Pierre.
The entire fight, which took place in Newark, New Jersey, last weekend, will be screened along with the explosive UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship bout between Shane Carwin and Frank Mir.
