Today, the UFC makes its first splash on network television with the airing of UFC on Fox Primetime for Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos this afternoon. This is monumental for MMA as there has never been a broadcast partner that has been so invested in the sport as to promote a card during the NFL season. Above is the first three minutes of the show which includes footage from the press conference the UFC held to announce the fight in Los Angeles.
The big news is that Fox is using the NFL coverage to help sell this fight card. Airing the Primetime today maximizes the amount of eyeballs that will see this episode. There is no set start time as it is dependent on local markets but it airs anywhere between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. which puts this in between the early and mid afternoon games. If there was ever any doubt that the UFC teamed up with the wrong broadcast partner, I hope this puts those concerns to rest. This will be a massive card and the UFC has no reason to fail.
SBN coverage of UFC on Fox 1: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos