• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, December 4, 2007

Mark Cuban's HDNet later this month will carry a live prime-time event from a mixed martial arts league that has been a programming staple on MyNetworkTV.

On Dec. 29, the high-definition-only channel is scheduled to air the showcase event from the International Fight League, which has provided programming to the fledgling News Corp. network since the spring.

The IFL is one of the offerings in the growing MMA field headlined by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. HD Net is looking to carry more than 22 fights a year from various MMA organizations.

The event, which will take place at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, is the first partnership between the "HD Net Fights" brand and the IFL.

"Our goal is to bring the best fights possible to air in HD, regardless of what organization those fighters are with," said HD Net chairman Cuban.

The HD Net deal is separate from the IFL's arrangement with MNTV.