Mark Cuban announces HDNet gets UFC access
HDNet chairman and co-founder Mark Cuban and Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White have put past differences behind them. Cuban announced that the all high-definition television network will now have access to Zuffa events as well as post fight highlight videos. Zuffa LLC is the parent company of UFC as well as World Extreme Cage Fighting.
Cuban had the following to say: “Over the years, Dana and I have had some disagreements at the business level. Because of those, and I can see his side of it as well, HDNet has not had access to UFC events. We weren’t able to be at the weigh-ins, we didn’t have press credentials; we didn’t get video after fights. So Dana and I have been talking for the past few months and kind of came to some agreements.”
The HDNet president continued, “We’ve (White and Cuban) always gotten along great, but it always came down to some business points. We’ve worked those things out.”
The agreement opens the door for HDNet and their popular “Inside MMA” program to be present at UFC events and feature UFC videos on the weekly program. In the past, “Inside MMA” was allowed to only use still pictures from UFC fights.
“Inside MMA” is hosted by former UFC champion Sebastian “Bas” Rutten and Kenny Rice. The hosts, along with a rotating cast of guests feature MMA video highlights from around the world on the hour-long program. In addition to the highlights, the hosts and guests provide commentary on topics related to MMA.
Cuban added, “Going forward, you’ll see HDNet at all UFC events. I’m looking forward to working really closely with them and doing a lot more with them.”
Beside “Inside MMA”, HDNet produces HDNet Fights, which showcases MMA promotions such as Dream, K-1, King of the Cage, Maximum Fighting Championship, Adrenaline MMA, among others.
Cuban did not mention when the agreement between HDNet and Zuffa LLC would go into effect.
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