Mark Cuban announces HDNet Fights
By Steven Kim 
posted Sep 15th 2007 8:46PM
posted Sep 15th 2007 8:46PM
Mark Cuban is looking to take HDNet into the MMA fight game. Yesterday Cuban announced HDNet Fights, a company that will air its mixed martial arts fights under the namesake network. The first event is scheduled for October 13, and HDNet plans to broadcast fights every week. MMA is growing very rapidly in the United States, with the Ultimate Fighting Championship being the big dog. Cuban has at least three things going for him in this venture: deep pockets, a proven track record dealing with foreign athletic talent, and HD broadcast experience. When asked about what fighters might be coming to the new organization, including PRIDE heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko, Cuban said HDNet Fights is "talking to anyone and everyone."
"The first event is scheduled for October 13, and HDNet plans to broadcast fights every week."
So the "Friday Fight Night" show I saw on HDNet tonight is not part of this?
@UnnDunn - I think the HDNet Fights material will be used to increase their offerings on other HDNet programs - "Friday Night Fight" and "Inside MMA," as well as open the door for strictly HDNet Fights events.
Since PRIDE and the UFC are now unified Fedor needs to come to cage and face UFC fighters on USA shores.
This is great, but Comcast - at least in my area - does not carry HDNet. Does anyone know if there's any hope of Comcast carrying HDNet in the near future?
This is comparable to the USFL trying to compete against the NFL.
Cuban would be better off trying to get the UFC events and content aired on HDNet instead of trying to take on the MMA giant with unknown or has-been fighters. The UFC is a promotional machine headed by Dana White, a career promoter turned Organization President. Hopefully Cuban doesn't burn any bridges with the UFC like the USFL did with the NFL, it could turn into a lucrative arrangement for Cuban and a new venue for the UFC
which they desperately need (Spike TV? come on!)
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It's interesting that Mark Cuban continues to add content to HDNet. Will both of these high-profile offerings expand the base for the network? Right now I am unable to receive the channel on Comcast, as they have their own HD offerings. Perhaps this will increase it to a level that it will be available to more people. I would hope that the base is expanded because I would like to watch it at some point.