HDNet adds King of the Cage (KOTC) events to monthly line up starting Feb. 12
Posted by Akimitsu Kuwabara | Under Recommended Supplements Sunday Jan 31, 2010
HDNet continues to cement its status as the "Home of MMA," with the upcoming broadcasts of live, monthly King of the Cage (KOTC) events starting with KOTC: "Vengeance" on Feb 12.
A household name among the American MMA promotions, KOTC will begin airing their monthly shows on the all-high-definition cable station next month as part of a three-year deal.
The partnership was announced on Friday's new edition of "Inside MMA." A renowned TV producer and partial owner of KOTC, Mark Burnett, will helm the production of the live event broadcasts.
Burnett brings his extensive reality-show resume to HDNet. Having earned 51 Emmy Awards nominations with shows ranging from "Survivor" to "Apprentice," he will apply his signature, storyline-centered approach to the KOTC broadcasts.
The veteran producer bolsters his credential for the new role with his past work with combat sports: His past projects include he Jason "Mayhem" Miller-hosted "Bully Beatdown" on MTV and the popular boxing reality-competition show "The Contender."
"Vengeance" will take place on Feb. 12 at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino in Mescalero, N.M. The event features UFC veteran, Rich Clementi, who will face Anthony Lapsley. Travis Wiuff vs. Mike Kyle and a trio of title fights, including the defense of the promotion's 135-pound title by DREAM veteran, Abel Cullum, are also on the card.
Launched in 1998, King of the Cage has groomed many notable fighters who have found success on MMA's biggest stages. Diego Sanchez, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Urijah Faber, Joey Villasenor, Joe Stevenson and others have cut their teeth in KOTC during the formative phase of their careers.
KOTC has hosted events around the globe, and announced the plan to accelerate the overseas expansion of its brand in 2010. To kick off the 2010 campaign, the promotion made its Japanese debut this past Saturday, with "KOTC: Toryumon" in Naha, Okinawa.
KOTC is the latest promotion to strike a deal with HDNet, which previously has hosted shows from organizations such as Strikeforce, Affliction Entertainment, DREAM, World Victory Road, Adrenaline MMA and Xtreme Fighting Championships.
