HBO to air UFC shows in 2007

Cable television powerhouse HBO will televise three UFC events this year with an option for three more, according to SecondsOut.com.

Here's a snip:

HBO's current plan is to air the [UFC] shows at midnight on dates still to be determined. No matter how these telecasts are packaged, ultimately they will compete with boxing.

However, Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, "vigorously" opposed the deal.

Here's another snip:

He [Greenburg] did everything in his power not to televise mixed martial arts. But in the end, he had no choice.

After reading the article, it appears that this was more or less an executive decision on the part of HBO Chairman Chris Albrecht.

By all accounts, he's been fighting an uphill battle against the dinosaurs in senior management positions who feel that airing UFC shows will "tarnish" the boxing franchise.

I think it's hilarious that these crabs still believe that mixed martial arts is like the WWE or some underground phenomenon. And, that boxing alone will quench our fight desires.

The problem is that most males aged 18-39 have already gotten a taste of MMA and the UFC — now there's no turning back.

Clearly, Albrecht realizes the enormous potential of MMA, which is all that matters at this point. With Elite Extreme inking a deal with Showtime late in 2006, it was only a matter of time before this news broke.

Aside from the Sopranos, now there's finally another good reason to keep HBO in the rotation (and, it won't cost us $40 a pop for three hours ;).

This is great news. I just hope Larry Merchant stays home these three nights.