Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White says that in addition to his sport's $100 million contract with Spike, a deal with HBO is right around the corner: "It will happen. What we're doing is going to get guys started on 'The Ultimate Fighter,' where they can then progress to a show like 'UFC Fight Night' before landing on HBO. HBO would then give them the opportunity for a title shot on PPV."
White desperately wants the media to treat his sport like it's every bit as legitimate as football and basketball and baseball, and a deal with HBO would help him realize that goal. Just about everything on HBO -- from The Sopranos to Curb Your Enthusiasm to its original documentaries -- gets the seal of approval from the media. UFC hopes it will be no different.
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