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Thursday, September 17, 2009
MMA returns to network TV with Strikeforce-CBS deal
Mixed martial arts will again air live on U.S. network television following today’s announcement that Strikeforce, arguably the top MMA promotion behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has struck a deal with CBS.
The first event, headlined by Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) vs. fellow heavyweight Brett Rogers (10-0), airs Nov. 7, though no location or venue have been officially announced.
CBS was the first major U.S. network to air MMA. However, the Tiffany Network hitched its wagon to EliteXC, a poorly run promotion that burned through tens of millions of dollars and collapsed after just three CBS shows in 2008.
Strikeforce, though, has staying power, and with the TV deal, could present a serious challenge to the UFC’s top-dog status over time.
Strikeforce technically aired on network television before, but its deal with NBC provided taped highlights packages in late-night timeslots and isn’t believed to have been a revenue generator for the organization.
However, the combination of CBS and Strikeforce’s other broadcast partner, Showtime, should give the promotion a lot of upcoming exposure.
But don’t count out the UFC, which currently airs on pay-per-view and Spike TV. UFC president Dana White recently promised the UFC will have its own network deal within 12 months.
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Diaz and Maynard big winners at UFC Fight Night 19
Nate Diaz picked up a “Submission of the Night” bonus for disposing of Melvin Guillard in the main event, and former Ohio high school state wrestling champion Gray Maynard moved deeper into lightweight title contention with a decision victory over Roger Huerta in the co-main event this past Wednesday, Sept. 16, at UFC Fight Night 19.
The event took place at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
Four of the night’s 10 bouts, including the co-headliners, aired on Spike TV.
Diaz (11-4), a top prospect who won the fifth season of the UFC’s reality series “The Ultimate Fighter,” snapped a two-fight losing streak with the second-round submission victory, which came via guillotine choke. Proving old habits die hard, Guillard (22-8-2) suffered a loss for the seventh time (out of eight career defeats) via submission.
Maynard, meanwhile, moved to 8-0 with his unanimous decision win. The fighter, who won his state title at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, previously has been criticized as a “lay and pray” fighter (like many former wrestlers), but the undefeated fighter showed a vastly improved stand-up game in the win.
Huerta (20-3-1), who fought for the first time in 13 months, likely competed in the UFC for the final time. He concluded the terms of his UFC contract with the fight and plans to continue his acting and modeling careers.
In other action, Nate Quarry (12-3) and Tim Credeur (12-3) opened the night’s broadcast with an epic three-round, back-and-forth brawl, which ultimately went to Quarry via unanimous decision. Both fighters earned $30,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus checks for the effort. In addition to Diaz’s $30,000 Submission of the Night award, preliminary-card fighter Jeremy Stephens (16-5) earned a $30,000 Knockout of the Night award for his brutal TKO of Justin Buccholz (8-4).
Also of note was a victory for C.B. Dollaway (9-2), who’s also a former Ohio state wrestling champion. Dollaway, who won his title with Northmor High School in Mount Gilead, topped UFC newcomer Jay Silva (5-2) via unanimous decision.
The full results included:
MAIN CARD Nate Diaz def. Melvin Guillard via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 2:13 Gray Maynard def. Roger Huerta via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27) Carlos Condit def. Jake Ellenberger via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Nate Quarry def. Tim Credeur via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD Brian Stann def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Mike Pyle def. Chris Wilson via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 3, 2:15 C.B. Dollaway def. Jay Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Jeremy Stephens def. Justin Buchholz via TKO (doctor’s stoppage, cut) - Round 1, 3:23 Mike Pierce def. Brock Larson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Ryan Jensen def. Steve Steinbeiss via technical submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 3:56
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