UFC enlists Snoop Dogg for alternative commentary on new fight series

Fight fans will have a surprising commentary option next month when the UFC debuts its new weekly fight series, "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series” (DWTNCS).

Rap icon Snoop Dogg will join UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber as an alternative commentary team on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast, dubbed “SnoopCast," that will be available for viewers in addition to a more traditional commentary team, which has yet to be announced. ESPN first reported the news Friday.

"I'm a big fan of UFC and [am] looking forward to joining the team to bring my unique take on all the action," Snoop Dogg told ESPN. "Y'all in for a brand-new experience with Dogg on the mic."

DWTNCS is scheduled to debut July 11 on UFC's internet-based subscription service with a card headlined by featherweight veterans Kurt Holobaugh and Matt Bessette. The series is slated to run every Tuesday for eight consecutive weeks, featuring five-fight cards held live from The Ultimate Fighter Gym in Las Vegas, kicking off with Holobaugh vs. Bessette. The series is aimed to feature burgeoning talent not yet signed under the UFC umbrella.

The inclusion of Snoop Dogg adds an unexpected twist to the broadcast, and is one that UFC Senior Vice President of International and Content Joe Carr thinks could “broaden the appeal” of the series.

"You're starting to see it across sports," Carr said. "If you watched March Madness coverage, once you get toward the Final Four, there are unique feeds, whether it's a Duke channel or a Kentucky channel. I think people are starting to cater to different fan segments.

"It's also an opportunity to broaden our appeal, broaden our fan base. Snoop is an entertainment icon. He might bring a totally different demographic in for us."