LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Brad Pickett of England celebrates his victory over Francisco Rivera of USA during the Bantamweight Bout of the UFC Fight Night at The O2 Arena on February 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

UFC has signed a new deal with BT Sport so the UK cable sports network can continue airing mixed martial arts events. The new deal keeps UFC on BT and expands its deal to air original UFC programming through 2018.

UFC’s deal with BT Sport gives the network the rights to air every main card in the UK and Europe as well as all televised preliminary cards. And it allows BT Sport to air programs that are shown in the United States, The Ultimate Fighter, Ultimate Insider and UFC Countdown as well as any new programming UFC produces in the future.

The key is that the new contract gives BT Sport all-encompassing rights and makes the channel the place to be for all things UFC in the UK and Ireland. Here are highlights of the deal from The Sun in the UK:

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UFC renewed its deal with BT Sport after talking with potential suitors, but decided to remain after seeing that the network will remain committed to airing MMA. Overall, BT Sports will get 150 hours of UFC programming per year. UFC officials say BT took time to get up to speed with their product and now they feel comfortable with the network going forward and with the commitments BT Sport has made to the sport.

And as BT Sport has Premier League games in a prime timeslot in the UK, it can use the matches to promote UFC programming.

So the marriage between UFC and BT Sport is extended for another three years.

[The Sun]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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