• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 16, 2011

As it looks to keep itself in the mixed martial arts ring, the Spike network said it would launch a prime-time newsmagazine focusing on the sport in January. The half-hour live “MMA Junkie Live” will be filmed at MTV’s Times Square studios with previews of the coming weekend’s fights as well as other content.

The show is a partnership with MMAJunkie.com, which the USA Today Sports Media Group recently acquired. The site does have a daily radio show that could lend some talent, but Spike said hosts and others are to be determined.

Spike has carried UFC programming for years before News Corp. acquired rights. It will begin airing fights under the Bellator banner in 2013 if not before.

Spike senior vice president Jon Slusser said recently that the network is looking to build its sports properties in addition to live programming.

Slusser oversees sports and multiplatform programming and “MMA Junkie Live” hopes to build interaction via social media sites in real time.

“The goal of the series will be to create the must-see destination for MMA fans who crave news, discussion, information, and expert opinion about the sport they love in a unique and entertaining way,” Slusser stated.