CBS, in partnership with ProElite, will air the first live prime-time mixed martial arts event on May 31 at 9 p.m. with its "CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights" broadcast live from the
Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. "We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest-growing sport with this prime-time event," says Kelly Kahl, senior executive vice
president of CBS Primetime.
"EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism and raw power and emotion that characterizes
mixed martial arts." Middleweight champion Robbie Lawler is putting his title on the line against Scott Smith for the show and Kimbo Slice will also be on hand. Additional matches will be announced
later.
This will be the first time mixed martial arts has broken through to a major broadcast television network and CBS has signed on to air four MMA events each year.
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