UFC 100 to air live in the UK on Sky TV channel 433

by Jesse Holland on Jul 9, 2009 9:48 AM EDT

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has found a temporary home for its live programming in the United Kingdom (UK) after an abrupt end to its partnership with Setanta Sports, according to The Sun.

One of the biggest shows in mixed martial arts history is set to go down on July 11 when UFC 100 blows up the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans across the pond will be able to watch it on Sky TV (channel 433).

On the main card will be one of the UK’s biggest stars, Michael Bisping, as he collides with opposing Ultimate Fighter coach Dan Henderson to determine a possible number one contender for the UFC middleweight crown.

In wake of the financial collapse of Setanta Sports, there was speculation that a home for the upcoming live broadcast would not be found in time for the big show, forcing fans overseas to wait for "The Count" to appear via tape delay.

While Sky has a nine-hour window of UFC programming to accommodate Saturday's big event, a permanent home for live events has yet to be announced.

Starting with UFC 80 back on January 19, 2008, the Ultimate Fighting Championship struck a deal with international sports broadcaster Setanta Sports to bring the UFC to millions of homes in the United Kingdom.

Setanta operates in Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the United States, Canada and Australia and provides premium sports television channels on a subscription basis, including its multi-year deal with Zuffa.

That deal recently eroded due to the financial instability of Setanta.

Unfortunately the dissolution of some of its English Premier League rights left Setanta strapped for cash and on the prowl for some emergency funding. A complete and utter collapse in operations — which would effectively blackout any and all UFC programming in the UK, had been reported as inevitable.

It was unknown if UFC 99, scheduled for June 13 in Cologne, Germany, would even make the airwaves in the UK until just a day before the broadcast, jeopardizing the momentum of Zuffa’s Europe expansion.

Now it looks like the UFC isn’t taking any chances with its future programming as they consider a new partnership from six different networks including Virgin 1, Sky Sports, Bravo and ESPN.

Though a long term deal would likely begin with UFC 101, Virgin 1 is reportedly the lead candidate to air UFC 100 prior to that.

An announcement is expected shortly.

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Comments

Channel 433? Who’s that, is it a tempory channel just for UFC100?

Was hoping for HD!

by MoonUK on Jul 9, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve just googled it. Its going to be a dedicated UFC channel, but only for 9 hours and its Free for anyone who pays for SKY (what about virgin?).Will we get a UFC event without adverts? Or will they have time to get some adverts in place.

by MoonUK on Jul 9, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

its also on the website for free for the uk fan which i think is fucking awesome

by ruan-fuy on Jul 9, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed: But I think Dana might be setting us up for the big PPV in the UK. Just seems to good to be true!

by MoonUK on Jul 9, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

its the espn channel

by ruan-fuy on Jul 9, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

i have jst checked channel 433 and there is nothing on it over the weekend.

by iceman on Jul 9, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Just to confirm the specifics :

Channel 433 on sky is a dead channel but will broadcast the UFC event as a one off, programs start at 21:00 on sat and continue untill 06:00 on sunday.

the broadcast will be free to anyone who has a sky dish and decoder.

The ufc is offering free streaming to IP addresses from the UK of UFC100 (not clear whether its just the main card or not)

To access the free streaming you must register at the UFC’s website.

I dont have sky but while its not ideal I have heard that the quality and stability of the UFC’s own stream is pretty good so its not a total loss

by Confused on Jul 9, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

its a raceing channel

by chris on Jul 9, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

433 is a racing channel isn’t it? any idea on what price the event will be?

by vinrex7 on Jul 9, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Free to sky customers! just googled it.

by MoonUK on Jul 9, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn, I’m on Virgin.

by zulu9812 on Jul 9, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Im a Virgin cable customer too. Gutted if I don’t get to watch this live! Absolutely gutted.

by Ca$z on Jul 9, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

or go to Sun website and it details everything there.

by Dixon on Jul 9, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

So what about Virgin customers?

Is there still a chance it will be on Virgin 1?

by Coopz on Jul 9, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

This is from the Mirror newspapers website on the issue:

“Starting at 9pm on Saturday evening on Sky channel 433 (formerly Racing World), a look back at the greatest fights in the history of the UFC will air, followed by the UFC 100 Countdown show, and then the live event beginning at 3am UK time.

The bad news is that Virgin Media (V-box) customers will NOT be able to see the event on their screens. They will instead have to tune in to UFC.com, where the show will air live, free to everyone in the UK.

Furthermore, those living in the Republic of Ireland AND Northern Ireland will be able to see UFC 100 on Setanta Ireland. Northern Ireland viewers have previously had many Setanta Ireland programmes encrypted due to the Province’s status as a country of the United Kingdom, but the channel will be opened up to viewers north of the border on this occasion."

GUTTED!!

by Ca$z on Jul 9, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm, will I watch it on Setanta Ireland or Sky433? Fantastic news.

That is seriously gay for Virgin customers though.

by RobH86 on Jul 9, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Looks like I’ll have to hook up the laptop to my TV. But if its streaming quality I doubt it will look very good on a 50"

Well at least I will get to see it. I am greatful that the UFC came through for us UK fans though and it is for free considering all US households will be paying.

by Ca$z on Jul 9, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

You lucky british bastards……jk buddy :-)

by Dragon on Jul 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

You are right we are lucky. But if there was one event I wish this wasn’t happening around it was this one.

At least we get to watch it so it could be worse.

by Ca$z on Jul 9, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for this i have been a bit worried about not being able to watch it.
Also if you look at sky on sentanta Ireland 430 it is also showing UFC 100 live.

guys now we have the TV sitution sorted
Time for predictions.

Mir vs Lesnar – Mir submisson 3rd round
GSP vs Alves – Alves TKO 2nd round
Fitch vs Thiago – Fitch unanimous decsion
Henderson vs Bisping – Henderson TKO 2nd round
Akiyama vs Belcher – Akiyama split descion
Coleman vs Bonner – Bonner unanimous decsion

The beauty of MMA is anything can happen at anytime.

keep up the good work love reading your blogs and vids.

Look forward to see your predictions Guys.

by Toddy on Jul 9, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Lesnar (Wont make the same mistakes)KO rd1
Alves (KO 2rd)
Thiago (KO 1.52 1rd)
Henderson (UD)
Belcher (Sub rd 2)
Bonner (TKO RD3)
Jon Jones also

by Dixon on Jul 9, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Here we go

Mir-2nd round sub armbar
GSP- 2nd Round TKO
Hendo- UD
Belcher – TKO 1st round
Coleman- SD via LnP my upset of the night!

by Dragon on Jul 9, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Sweet, that means 10,000 live streams online for us over here.

Everybody wins.

by introvert on Jul 9, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Virgin doesn’t have Setanta Ireland so that’s 2 channels Sky has it on now and Virgin none!!!

by Coopz on Jul 9, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

WOW my heart was in my mouth.now we get to see ufc 100 and the ufcs greatest 100 fights before it for free.nice one dana.ill have to start drinking at ten to nine or ill be bladdered come live time lol

by scott on Jul 9, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

433 on Sky or UFC.com Nowhere else so far

Thankful I have Sky but I feel for those with Virgin, what a bastard

by DAVID REED on Jul 9, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

Yep, lucky I have SKY. Feel bad for vigin/freeview customers.

I guess channel 5 and virgin 1 weren’t willing to put 9 hours of coverage on. I guess this also suggests that either SKY or ESPN are favourites for UFC 101 onwards.

by mack3333 on Jul 9, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

thats a bit of a strange one? 433 the racing channel?

by Dan on Jul 9, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

is it free to all sky subscribers or just the sky sports subscribers?

by vinrex7 on Jul 9, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve got Virgin but I’m quite happy to watch it for free on the UFC site, sure my laptop isn’t as good as a TV but I’ve got a widescreen so it’s not too bad. I’ll have to come back from town early seeing how I can’t tape the show, but watching the UFC online with a few Buds after a night out sounds good to me.

by David W-S on Jul 9, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

FOR IRISH VIEWERS, UFC 100 IS AVAILABLE ON SETANTA IRELAND LIVE

by neil on Jul 9, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

Alright Neil.

by RobH86 on Jul 9, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

iv got virgin but my buddt says he has a plan so hopefully its a good one

by Nokia on Jul 9, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

The website aside, I dont want to be watching anything like this on my f-ing laptop.

Im not happy at all with this. Surely they must realise that half of the sodding UK are not on Sky, they are on Virgin! Way to go to break ground in other places other than USA. Best way to do it? Put the biggest UFC event in history on a channel that less than half the country can watch. Brilliant.

Im now going to have to spend the night at my parents house just to watch it. The atmosphere is going to be amazing! Oh what a night.

(sarcasm alert)

by UK_Chris on Jul 9, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

lol….I just spit my Corn Flakes.

by introvert on Jul 9, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

ha ha ha ha very funny,exelant comment chris :

by anthony on Jul 9, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Quality I’m over the moon!!!! Is it confirmed then???

by Mo on Jul 9, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions

It’s not listed on Sky Guide yet though??

Great news though!!!

by Paul on Jul 9, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

UK_Chris.. Virgin only has 3.6 million subscribers compared to Skys 8.9 million, So its hardly half the UK :)

by Coopz on Jul 9, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

im on virgin and so are all my mates as its much cheaper than sky, tho on hearing this i have just booked tickets back from mainland england to my parents house in Belfast, as they got sky and there is no way on gods green earth im missing this live…

really bummed they screwed over us virgin customers.. even tho im a 22mb connection its still really tempermental as virgin have contention ratios and cut ur speeds between 4pm-and 12am so if im streaming a show from like 9pm by time 11pm hits it will be laggy as fuck!

by CoN'r on Jul 9, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s commitment for yeah haha

Its put a spanner in the works for us as well because the guys house where we are watching has Virgin :(

by Coopz on Jul 9, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

" tho on hearing this i have just booked tickets back from mainland england to my parents house in Belfast, as they got sky and there is no way on gods green earth im missing this live…"

Hahaha me too RE: parents house to watch the fight. Looks like potentially a big portion of the 3.6million all visiting their parents this weekend!!!

by UK_Chris on Jul 9, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

OK maybe not half, my post was written in blind frustration and anger.
But Virgin added to the various freeview providers, which is on around 10million itself (which include Virgin 1 as well as subscription Setanta) represent a bigger digital market share than Sky.

Either way, I think its fair to say its still a large amount of viewers, of which any UFC fans now have a problem.

by UK_Chris on Jul 9, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I have sky in Ireland, but have to subscribe to setanta ireland, I also have channel 433 the racing channel, just wondering will ufc 100 be broadcast on channel 433 in Ireland too? can anyone help

by jimmy the stink on Jul 9, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

UFC.com has the full statement regarding UFC 100 for UK and Ireland viewers

by Paul on Jul 9, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

Why dont you just subscribe to sky then and stop being a cheapscate??!!!! Its clearly better for the ufc and the fans as it is now available to more fans than ever in the uk, and clearly on a better run network than virgin!!

I dont know why your so pissed its not like the ufc has had any live events on virgin, they owe virgin nothing!!

by mo on Jul 9, 2009 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Because Sky is crap. And more money. And is not always available in/on some properties.

" Its clearly better for the ufc and the fans as it is now available to more fans than ever in the uk, and clearly on a better run network than virgin!!"

Thats 100% wrong. Its not available to more people. Its available to less people now. Website aside.
UFC DID have live events on Virgin. It ‘was’ called Setanta.

The UFC owe Virgin nothing yes, but they owe the fans everything. They should have picked a channel that is on both Virgin and Sky networks. Like Setanta was.

by UK_Chris on Jul 9, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Get the fu&k in! Delighted with the news. Can’t wait.

by RobH86 on Jul 9, 2009 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

i don’t have sky, so i will be sneeking round to my brothers who is on hiloday to get naked, lay myself out on his robin day lether sofa bust out the popcorn, and enjoy the show on his 52 inch plasma, good job he’s on holiday because i think i’m going to bust a nut with excitement.

by billybob on Jul 9, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

“UFC DID have live events on Virgin. It ‘was’ called Setanta.” Wrong mate i never had virgin but had setanta, so you could have subscribed to setanta alone, your just miserable and want to save money, when all you have to do is get a basic Sky package and cancel your virgin FREEVIEW which is dirt anyway!!!

Sky is clearly bigger and better than Virgin there is no argument in relation to that, if you want the UFC then pay for it, nothing is for free!!!!!!!!!!

Il happily pay for and continue to pay for it!!

by mo on Jul 9, 2009 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

‘nothing is for free’
torrents… I’ll happily have a good nights sleep, get up at 7, download it by 7.30 on my superior Virgin fibreoptic 50mb line and watch it.

by Sighman on Jul 9, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

Sky is still saying “Programmes dont strat until monday” wtf!! I am going awa for the wk end and need to set my SKY+ timer by 5 O’Clock tonight! What the duece sky! Anyone else in the same boat??

by bailey on Jul 10, 2009 4:23 AM EDT reply actions

Sky still says programmes start on monday! I need to set my SKY+ timer by 5 tonight before I go away for the wk end! Anyone else in the same boat?? Does anyone know of a scheduled re-run I could sky+ instead?

by bailey on Jul 10, 2009 4:26 AM EDT reply actions

Hi Bailey,

I have solved the recording problem for UFC 100. on your sky remote press “services” than go to number 7 “manual recordings” then all you have to do now is type in the times for ufc and channel 433 and i will record for you.

Even though it is not up yet on the planner it will still record ufc.

So whats your predictions?

by Toddy on Jul 10, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions