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The next seven weeks offer an incomparable stretch of nationally-televised events and specials for mixed-martial-events fans.

Commencing with Wednesday's WEC 30 event on Versus and concluding with Cincinnati's UFC 77 Pay-Per-View event in October, some of the sport's biggest names and brightest prospects will be showcased.

The calendar includes:

WEC 30

At 9 p.m., Wednesday on Versus, is

a solid World Extreme Cagefighting event features title fights between lightweight champ "Razor" Rob McCullough and Rich Crunkilton, as well as bantamweight champ Chase Beebe and Rani Yahya.

UFC 75

At 9 p.m., Saturday on Spike TV,

for the first time, a UFC title fight will be shown on basic cable. The event, airing via tape delay from London, England, features a unification bout between UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton Jackson and PRIDE champ Dan Henderson. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Cheick Kongo also battle to move up the heavyweight rankings.

EliteXC: 'Uprising'

At 10 p.m., Sept. 15, on Showtime, the upstart EliteXC organization's event is stacked full of talent with Robbie Lawler and Murilo "Ninja" Rua fighting for the 185-pound title, and controversial Nick Diaz making his MMA return. Also, check out Gina Carano, a gorgeous former Muay Thai fighter who's leading the movement for female-MMA acceptance.

UFC Fight Night 11

At 9 p.m., Sept. 19, on Spike TV, this pay-per-view-worthy card features Kenny Florian vs. Din Thomas (who both may be fighting for a future title fight).

Terry Martin vs. Chris Leben, and Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet could also be entertaining bouts.

'Ultimate Fighter' premiere

At 11 p.m., Sept. 19, on Spike TV, the UFC's popular reality-TV series returns for a sixth season with current welterweight champ Matt Serra and former champ Matt Hughes as rival coaches. The UFC recently released a teaser, and this could be the most dramatic and over-the-top season yet.

UFC 76

At 10 p.m., Sept. 22, on Pay-Per-View is a main event between Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine may be overshadowed by pivotal bouts between top welterweight contenders Jon Fitch and Diego Sanchez, and light heavyweights Forrest Griffin and UFC newcomer Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

UFC 77

Oct. 20, 10 p.m. (Pay-Per-View)

Cincinnati's Rich Franklin looks to reclaim his title against current UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva. Additionally, one-time top contender Brandon Vera returns to the Octagon to face former heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia.

The event takes place at Cincinnati's U.S. Bank Arena.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of UFCjunkie.com, a content-partner site of Yahoo! Sports. For the latest MMA news and rumors, visit www.ufcjunkie.com.