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UFC Competitor Scores Network TV Deal
Story reported by Brian Cantor of Headline Planet
Friday, February 29 2008
Rival MMA group to air fights on one of America's biggest networks

In a joint announcement with the network, Elite Xtreme Combat announced Thursday that it has scored a broadcast partnership with leading American network CBS.

Under the deal, CBS will air a live, two-hour fight card on Saturday nights four times per year. The two parties will also partner for online ventures.

"Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences," said Kelly Kahl, the senior executive vice president for CBS Primetime. "It's original programming for Saturday night; it's live, creating an event atmosphere and it's something that hasn't been seen on network television, until now."

Earlier this year, rumors suggested that UFC was in talks with CBS about a similar deal. Those negotiations broke down, and Elite Xtreme, which has a present affiliation with Showtime, scored the broadcast partnership.

Reports, including one on WrestlingObserver.com, suggest that Kimbo Slice will battle on the first CBS card.

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