Spike TV announces UFC 103 prelim fights to air commercial-free Sept. 19

by MMAmania.com on Aug 22, 2009 10:35 AM EDT

Spike TV recently confirmed that it will indeed televise the "Franklin vs. Belfort" preliminary card from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 19.

However, just a "portion" -- not the whole magilla -- will air commercial-free on fight night.

Accordingly, fans will be treated to one hour (not two) of uninterrupted mixed martial arts competition, beginning at 9 p.m. and leading into the pay-per-view (PPV) telecast at 10 p.m., which will be available for purchase at $44.95.

Here's a snip from Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV, on the unprecedented decision:

"Providing an action-packed UFC pay-per-view, live and commercial free, to our viewers on both coasts, further illustrates Spike TV and the UFC’s commitment to its fans."

Currently, the promotion has eight fights booked for the UFC 103 prelims.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 winner Efrain Escudero will headline the under card action opposite TUF 5 alum Cole Miller (15-3). And the hard-hitting middleweight clash between Tomasz "The Gorilla" Drwal and Drew "The Massacre" McFedries is also guaranteed to make the Spike TV broadcast.

UFC 103 will feature a main event between Rich "Ace" Franklin and Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort at a 195-pound catchweight. Also slated for the main card is a heavyweight tilt between former PRIDE superstar Mirko Cro Cop and surging heavyweight prospect Junior Dos Santos.

In addition, Martin Kampmann will be out to put a "hit" on Mike Swick to determine the number one contender for Georges St. Pierre’s 170-pound title.

To check out the latest UFC 103: "Franklin vs. Belfort" fight card click here.

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of UFC 103, beginning with the PPV telecast at 10 p.m. ET. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of all the televised under card action.

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Comments

Just two fights in one hour??? Haha oh well, better than nothing =)

by ryu on Aug 22, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

those are just the guaranteed ones.

why every card with rich franklin as a headliner sux?

by shamo84 on Aug 22, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Really I though UFC 99 was good. But UFC 72 and 93 where kidn of dead. but Rich franklin usually tried to take as many big names fights as possible

by Santiago69us on Aug 22, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Who has Rich turned down???

fight
1. Silva = exciting
2. Silva = exciting x 2
3. Hendo = great
4. wandy = awesome

I loved his recent and all his fights.
Quarry?

Ace is deserved of hall of fame. Man if it werent for Spider?? who by the way is no slouch.. Ace would be in top 3 p4p right now, and the hendo decision probs would’ve gone his way.

Ace u deserve all the respect in the world

by daniel worby on Aug 22, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Franklin is one of the best in the world like I said the only fighter that made him look bad is Silva the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world. I won’t be surprised if Franklin wins this either I think Dan and Wandy are just as good as good if not better than Belfort.

by Beaver on Aug 22, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

FOCK SPIKE TV! What do they have better to air then all theh prelims…8 year old CSI re-runs?

This is a step in the right direction, but II want to see ALL THE FIGHTS!

by john G on Aug 22, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Bad card. I will watch the fights on Spike but no way am I paying for this one.

by iagoof22 on Aug 22, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s why you watch the first half or whatever at home then bounce to your local “B dubs” to catch the rest.

by NameNotRequired on Aug 22, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Genius move.

This will generate more PPV buys if the prelims look good.

by DubNub on Aug 22, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

How is copying the “t-shirt guys” genius?

It’s good for fans, but not exactly grounbreaking enough to call it “genius.”

by introvert on Aug 22, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

C’mon intro, you know that they doing this b/c of the Gaywheather fight. I doubt that their intent is to copying what Affliction did before.

by Alpha Male on Aug 22, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

no kidding. this is hardly “unprecedented”.

by dropnskirtz on Aug 22, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

a lot more people have spike than hd net so at least more fans will be able to watch

by Bk on Aug 22, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d always buy the PPV and always have. I mean seriously even if you think its expensive, the 50.00? Get 5-10 freinds over and each pay 5 or whatever.

This is SO COOL though and likely/hopefully will start a trend of this occuring as we have been calling for this for a long time. I’m sure Spike is happy w/it and when Dana gets hold of the ratings, I’m sure he will be happy and seee no reason not to continue this.

UFC is sure lucky to have a great network like Spike backing them. It seems there is nothing this channel wouldn’t do for them.

Good job, UFC/Spike

by daniel worby on Aug 22, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

What if you don’t have any friends? cries

I am glad my hometown fighter, Cole Miller will definitely see broadcast though. Both of those fights shouldn’t even go the distance so I think we will see more than 2 fights hopefully.

by E30kaiser on Aug 22, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like Affliction was doing something right, eh?

by introvert on Aug 22, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

One of the best things that Affliction did was put their prelims on free TV, at the time I called for the UFC to do the same so I’m glad that it’s finally happening, even if Spike are only going to show a few fights.

by David W-S on Aug 22, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

WAR CRO COP

by Ian on Aug 22, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

gotta be more than 2 fights my guess is 3 fights

by bryant on Aug 22, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

well it depends, if they’re live who knows what the time slots are so.. I think it’s live so all depends on how deep each fight goes. Mcfedries should be quick tho. And if they wanna cut it off @ 10mins to PPV to run that hype promo they usually show 3x on ur PPV channel.

by daniel worby on Aug 22, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

So is this is a time deal to combat Mayweather/Marquez or may the powers that be (Dana) give us another taste of this in the future, I have my doubts

by Hell & Back Inc. on Aug 22, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

one time deal or not, chime in!

by Hell & Back Inc. on Aug 22, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

HAHA well hell & back since ur so demanding/intimidating, I guess ill voice an opinion, but this is strictly out of fear!!! :)

I do feel this is obviuosly a marketting tool to try and show boxing that he means business. Especially towards Flloyd since he’s the biggest shit talker of them all.

But I do think once he see’s the ratings and reception he gets from this, he will continue it down the road. Plus I’m sure Spike will be more then happy to oblige.

There.

by daniel worby on Aug 22, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

hey i’ll take what ever pre ppv they give cuz i have paid for all but one ppv in the last 5 and a half years..and the only reason i missed one is cuz my satalite was down..
i am always pissed they don’t give ya more undercard fights..but maybe this will catch on with the ufc..

by sarah on Aug 22, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions