UFC, Cignal, TV5 seal broadcast deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Ultimate Fighting Championship has formalized its tie-up with Cignal and TV5, kicking off the new venture with the live telecast of UFC 195 headlined by a welterweight bout between title holder Fil-Am Robbie “Ruthless” Lawler and Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit on Jan. 3.

“It is a historic moment for us that we’ll be able to bring UFC to Filipino mixed martial arts fans,” said Sports 5 vice president Vito Lazatin during yesterday’s press conference at the Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig where UFC, Cignal and TV5 officially made its partnership official.

UFC will also be shown via HYPER and TV5 and Aksyon 41 starting with the Anything UFC on Jan. 1.

Cignal president and CEO Emmanuel Lorenzana, for his part, said they’re proud of having UFC as one of its top draws.

“Cignal is proud of its role in expanding our people’s available choices on what to watch and who they idolize among our sports heroes out there and we welcome UFC coming into our Cignal family in response to our viewers,” he said.

Balls, ABS-CBN’s sports cable channel, used to telecast the UFC fights before it folded up, paving the way for the world’s biggest fight outfit’s transfer to Cignal and TV5.

The first UFC fightcard was held at the MOA Arena in Pasay City via UFC Fight Night 65 last May.

Meanwhile, UFC is lining up a blockbuster card when it stages the second UFC Fight Night next year.

“We’re still working on dates, logistics and availability of venues but we look forward to announcing it in the first quarter of next year,” said UFC executive vice president Kenneth Berger.

With the new broadcast partner, Berger said they will hold more UFC-related activities like fighter tours in the country.

“Certainly in 2016, the fighter tours which is what we have been doing in the past will continue. In fact, we will be stepping up and accelerating the number of tours that we have here. We are looking to do other activities. As 2016 rolls around, we will be announcing the activities for the Philippine market,” said Berger.