Programming reminder: The 'Best of PRIDE' returns Jan. 3 on FUEL TV

They're back (again).

The "Best of PRIDE" series makes its long-awaited return to cable television in just over a week (Jan. 3, 2012) at 7 p.m. ET on FUEL TV with another installment of the popular highlights show featuring some of the greatest moments from the now-defunct promotion.

Zuffa - the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship - purchased the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion (and its biggest rival) back in 2007. With no television deal and most of its top fighters signing UFC contracts, the entity known as PRIDE became no more.

Now fans will once again have an opportunity to relive the glory days and perhaps get another look at some of the hoopla surrounding the much-ballyhooed stars of yesteryear.

From the official release:

Peer into the PRIDE vault as FUEL TV brings viewers some of the greatest mixed martial artists in history, featuring classic wars from Japan's MMA glory days. In 12, one-hour shows, watch as many of today's biggest UFC stars like Anderson "The Spider" Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Antônio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira first rose to prominence in the PRIDE ring. Viewers get to relive all of the classic battles in the "Best of PRIDE Fighting Championships."

Hosted by Kenda Perez, the "Best of PRIDE" series features classic match-ups from the legendary Japanese promotion showcasing many stars of yesterday and today across 12 episodes for season one airing on Thursday nights (following the Jan. 3 premiere).

Enjoy the show, Maniacs.