Fox UFC
Fox UFC refers to the broadcast partnership between Fox Sports and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that existed from 2012 to 2018. The deal marked a significant expansion of UFC's reach into mainstream sports broadcasting, offering a wider audience access to live events, pre- and post-fight shows, and related programming.
The agreement included broadcasting rights for UFC events on the Fox network, as well as on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2) cable channels. This allowed UFC to present various levels of content, from preliminary fights and smaller cards on FS1 and FS2 to major pay-per-view events and flagship events on the main Fox network. Key programming elements included:
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UFC on Fox: Live, prime-time events broadcast on the Fox network, featuring main card fights and high-profile matchups. These were often considered among UFC's most important events outside of pay-per-view.
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UFC Fight Night: Events broadcast on FS1 and FS2, featuring a mix of established fighters and rising stars.
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The Ultimate Fighter: A reality television series that showcased aspiring mixed martial artists competing for a UFC contract. The show moved from Spike TV to FX and then to FS1 as part of the Fox UFC deal.
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UFC Prelims: Preliminary fights from UFC pay-per-view events broadcast on FS1, providing increased exposure for up-and-coming fighters.
The Fox UFC partnership played a critical role in elevating the UFC's profile and solidifying its position as a major sports property. It also provided a platform for the sport to reach a broader audience and develop new fans. After the expiration of the Fox deal, UFC partnered with ESPN for its broadcasting rights.