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MMA News: ESPN's "MMA Live" moving to ESPN2 starting May 6 - full details on schedule
Mar 25, 2010 - 4:11:45 PM MMA News: ESPN's "MMA Live" moving to ESPN2 starting May 6 - full details on schedule

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By Wade Keller, MMATorch Supervising Editor

ESPN is taking a big step toward covering MMA on a more mainstream scale in May, as their "MMA Live" program, currently an Internet-exclusive, is moving to ESPN2.

MMATorch has learned today from a TV industry source that the talk show which features in-studio big name guests (including regular cohost Kenny Florian, plus Rashad Evans, Stephen Bonnar, Pat Militich, and others) discussing the news of the week and upcoming fights premieres on ESPN2 on Thursday May 6 at 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT. It will remain in that weekly timeslot throughout May, with the schedule beyond that not yet determined or announced.

There will also be UFC PPV specials. It will air May 8 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 leading into UFC 113. There will also be a post-UFC 114 show at 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT.

Keller's Analysis: This is a big step for ESPN's coverage of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. While ESPN has covered UFC PPVs and crossover-athletes such as Herschel Walker entering MMA on SportsCenter, there hasn't been a weekly show dedicated to the sport or one-hour specials on UFC PPV nights previously. If the ratings are strong, it seems logical that the schedule would be confirmed beyond May. So MMA fans are going to want to spread the word about this show and support it when it airs if they want to see ESPN commit long-term to a weekly show with the production values and top level guests that "MMA Live" has presented so far with their Internet-exclusive programs.