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UFC to return to network television January 16th?

December 23, 2020 by Jason Cruz Leave a Comment

The UFC is returning to network as it plans to hold its January 16th event on Fight Island on ABC. 

The UFC has aired on ESPN since moving from Fox at the end of 2018.  ABC and ESPN are under the same corporate umbrella.

pic.twitter.com/1KLdjq1hmz

— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) December 23, 2020

MMA Junkie confirms what Dana White posted on Instagram on Tuesday, that the company will air its UFC card on ABC, rather than ESPN.  Junkie also confirmed that a rumored January 30th event will not take place. 

The telecast would likely feature former UFC champ Max Holloway taking on Calvin Kattar. 

The last time the UFC was on network television was on Fox in December 2018. 

The ABC show was first mentioned by twitter user Don King. 

Payout Perspective:

Undoubtedly the UFC has done well in 2020 despite the pandemic.  The ratings on ESPN show growth and a level of reliability with the number of viewers that tune in.  The move to the network would be a big return for the sport of MMA.  Will this mean that the UFC will return to quarterly shows?  With the pandemic stalling planning of production for certain shows, the UFC may fill right in. 

Filed Under: ESPN, ratings

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