HDNet has announced the debut of a brand new MMA series entitled “Fighting Words with Mike Straka” that will air on Friday nights for the network.
HDNET TO DEBUT NEW ORIGINAL MMA SERIES “FIGHTING WORDS WITH MIKE STRAKA”
Network to launch this first-of-its-kind MMA series with Dana White as the premiere guest – Friday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET
DALLAS (March 9, 2010) HDNet announced today that it will add the new, original series “Fighting Words with Mike Straka,” to its Friday night lineup. The 30-minute one-on-one weekly interview program will feature revealing conversations with the top stars in mixed martial arts. “Fighting Words with Mike Straka” is scheduled to debut on Friday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The premiere episode will feature a rare, 30-minute interview with one of the most influential people in Mixed Martial Arts – UFC President Dana White.
In the following weeks, host Mike Straka will present unique insights into the sport’s most interesting personalities including King Mo, Gegard Mousasi, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Matt Hughes, Frank Shamrock and Bobby Lashley.
“This show has been years in the making – I wanted MMA fans to get an unprecedented view, from the biggest names, of what it takes to be in this business,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “The MMA world produces the most intriguing personalities in professional sports and this program is designed to give Mike a full half- hour to ask the tough questions – the real questions fight fans want to know.”
“I am proud to join HDNet as the newest piece of the network’s already impressive MMA lineup,” said Mike Straka. “I am excited about the opportunity to present a side of these amazing athletes that the fans haven’t seen before.”
Mike Straka was previously the host of “FOX Fight Game.” He has covered MMA since UFC 30 in February 2001 and is widely recognized as one of the first mainstream journalists to begin reporting on the sport.
Payout Perspective:
The UFC and HDNet haven’t worked together much in the past, but perhaps this interview with Dana White is a sign of change in the relationship between the two organizations.
Also, note the timing of White’s appearance on the show is one day prior to UFC 111: GSP vs. Hardy. It wouldn’t surprise me if the UFC bought a few commercial slots during the segment to help pump the PPV card (even the April show in Abu Dhabi).
If you watch Inside MMA you will note that they are again allowed to run short clips of the UFC fights again. For a long time they could only show still pictures. At the same time they have scaled back on the fighters and fights that get on the show that aren’t from the UFC or WEC. I guess Mark Cuban has bowed down to Dana. I wonder how long fights from other organizations will be allowed on HDNet. Sad. I liked Cuban a lot more when he was his own man.
Fox fight game was an awful show. I hope this show is better.
I noticed the same thing, regarding recent usage of UFC footage on Inside MMA. We don’t know if Cuban has made concessions of any type towards UFC. This could be the early signs of Comcast, HDnet, and UFC starting the rumored channel that will be competitve to ESPN. We have seen possible signs of that with UFC now on Versus. Cuban could be leveraging a great MMA channel to his advantage. Pure fun speculation on my part, based on small changes I notice.
Dana has a scorched earth policy. If the UFC was to get involved in an sports channel there is no way he would allow other MMA organizations on there. I would give up on MMA if I couldn’t get DREAM, WVR, KotC, MFC etc any more.
Does this mean Fox Fight Game has been canceled?
I couldn’t find any news about it, but it seems to be implied by this announcement.