Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White announced today that the UFC and Spike TV have reached a deal on a four-year contract extension that will keep UFC Fight Night and The Ultimate Fighter on Spike.
There was never really any doubt that UFC and Spike would stay together, but there were questions about whether UFC would get a second television partner, such as ESPN or HBO. From MMA Junkie:
"We're back in bed with these guys," White said of Spike TV. "They've been amazing partners for us."
As part of the deal, UFC and Spike TV will air two new seasons of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2008 and 2009, and one new season in both 2010 and 2011. Additionally, Kay said a "new fight series" (which will include live fights) is still in development. One season of that new series will air in 2010 and another in 2011.
The relationship between UFC and Spike TV began in January 2005 with the launch of "The Ultimate Fighter." The series has proven to be one of the station's most popular programs and has launched the careers of more than two dozen current UFC fighters. As the flagship of the station, "The Ultimate Fighter" has been promoted heavily - and creatively - by Spike TV.
Most UFC fans think Spike does good work with UFC and will be glad this deal is done.
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