MANILA, Philippines - The Ultimate Fighting Championship, which used to be aired on Balls Channel, will be shown on TV5 and Cignal starting 2016.
“This January 2016, we’re bringing the fight to you. #UFCOnCignal #UFCOnTV5,” said Sports5’s official Twitter account, @Sports5PH Sunday night.
The move came after Balls, a sports cable channel of ABS-CBN and the home of UFC for almost a decade, announced it would close shop by the end of this year, paving the way for the world’s best fight outfit’s transfer.
“Sadly yes,” Balls chief Jojo Estacio yesterday told The STAR.
Since 2008, the UFC was Balls’ biggest sports content with the fights also shown on ABS-CBN Sports and Action 23 on free television, further promoting and popularizing mixed martial arts before local audiences.
It also paved the way for the UFC’s first fightcard in the country, dubbed “UFC Fight Night Manila,” staged early this year.