UFC On Fox 1 Prelims Finally Get Platform for Presentation

After weeks of speculation, the preliminary bouts that will lead in to the first ever UFC event ever to be shown on network television finally have a platform to be presented on. During the announcement that the Ultimate Fighting Championship had finally signed a deal to be presented on one of the most recognized television networks in FOX/Fox Sports, it was said that the first ever UFC event on the network would host the a Heavyweight title fight when reigning champion Cain Velasquez makes his long awaited first title defense against #1 contender Junior dos Santos. With the announcement, it was said that the Heavyweight title fight would be the only bout scheduled to be televised in the one-hour slot for the main event alone. During the same press conference, FOX executives and UFC officials said that they still wanted fans to be able to watch every bout in events after the deal takes full effect after the beginning of 2012. Soon following the conference, a Lightweight bout between former inaugural Strikeforce Lightweight champion Clay Guida and former WEC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson where the winner is expected to earn a title shot at reigning division champion Frankie Edgar, though with Velasquez vs Dos Santos being the only bout slotted for the one-hour presentation on FOX Sports that meant that it would be the final bout on the preliminary card. After weeks of no official word, UFC President Dana White finally announced on October 27 early in the prefight press conference for UFC 137: Penn vs Diaz that all preliminary bouts for UFC On Fox 1 would be available to watch live and free on the promotion's Facebook page and at FOX.com. White also announced that the first installment of the three part countdown series UFC Primetime: Velasquez vs Dos Santos will air following the NFL game on Sunday October 30, though fans will need to look up their local listings to find out what time it may actually come on for them. Also announced early in the prefight press conference was that the UFC had signed now former MMA Live host Jon Anik as a new color commentator for play-by-plays and will also be involved in the next installment of The Ultimate Fighter when the format is changed starting in 2012. Continuing with the news associated with the recent FOX deal, UFC officials announced that Brazil is the primary target for the first international TUF season which will present only competitors from the South American country, and is most likely to be presented to American audiences on the FOX owned FUEL TV channel.