Strikeforce MMA on NBC Saturday nights

by MMAmania.com on Mar 27, 2008 8:36 PM EDT

As expected, Strikeforce and NBC have struck a deal to air a weekly half-hour long mixed martial arts series dubbed "Strikeforce on NBC" on late night network television, beginning on April 12 at 2 a.m. ET.

Here's a snip from Strikeforce Chief Executive Officer Scott Coker:

"It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to bring the Strikeforce mixed martial arts product to one of the longest-standing and most well-respected national television platforms. NBC has a history of popular late Saturday TV and in the 80's NBC's ‘Saturday Night's Main Event' show helped catapult the popularity of professional wrestling. Strikeforce is looking to follow in suit and establish a legacy of its own on the network."

According the release, "Strikeforce on NBC" will follow "Poker After Dark," hitting a demographic (18 to 34-year-old males) that dovetails with its current target audience.

Episodes will be prerecorded and showcase some of the top fighters, fights and storylines of the San Jose, Calif.-based promotion. For example, the premiere episode is expected to shine the spotlight on Cung Le, airing his fight against Brian Warren, as well as providing a profile on the popular San Shou fighter-turned mixed martial artist.

This is big news for Strikeforce, which has only been promoting professional MMA bouts for little more than two years. However, the quality of the fights and fighters are solid.

And exposure on network television — regardless of the time slot — means that bigger and better things more than likely loom on the horizon.

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Comments

Well a half hour once a week isnt that bad but its not that great either. Are they gonna air any fights live or just old taped ones? More MMA is always good but I could stant a little more then this.

by Northern Lights on Mar 27, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions

oh hell ya, mma is goin mainstream for half an hour a week at 2 in the god damn morning. watch out

by keystone on Mar 27, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

Oreck vacuum infomercials will give this show a run for it’s money.

by Cory81 on Mar 27, 2008 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

This is an unrelated story, but I thought it was kind of shocking. Apparently Leonard Garcia is in some deep shit for his involvement in a cocaine ring. The story’s up on MMAWeekly.

by skatanicus on Mar 28, 2008 1:50 AM EDT reply actions

2 AM? Kinda late to attract a lot of viewers

by RiverHorror on Mar 28, 2008 2:39 AM EDT reply actions

listen strikeforce is a joke nbc is a joke is a for signing it..cbs is a joke for signing elite xc both cbs and nbc were to cheap to get real mma,everybody in strikeforce,elite xc,wec,ifl.are jus fighters who wish they could be in the ufc get mad all u want people but facts are facts

by chucksux on Mar 28, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions