ASX TV Cancels Inside MMA, Expands Live MMA Offerings | MMAWeekly.com

AXS TV is ending its long-running MMA news program Inside MMA.

The news comes on the heels of Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Championship announcing their merger with plans for 30 live events under the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) banner in 2017. AXS TV has inked a deal to televise all of LFA’s events.

Based on the strength of talent within the combined organization and LFA’s 30 fight schedule, AXS TV Fights will expand its 2017 line-up to 45 live events, its largest ever; extend its live broadcast window to three hours; and kick off its Friday night broadcasts an hour earlier at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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“The Voice” Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich will be joined by veteran reporter Ron Kruck on the broadcast team.

“AXS TV is proud to broadcast the LFA to help create MMA’s premier developmental league,” said Mark Cuban, founder and CEO of AXS TV. “AXS TV Fights’ expanded 2017 line-up builds on AXS TV’s 13-year, 336-fight legacy as ‘Your Home for MMA’ with more live mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other TV network.”

To accommodate its increased commitment to live MMA events, AXS TV concurrently announced that Inside MMA will conclude its run on Sept. 30, 2016 when it broadcasts its 433rd and final episode. On the finale, Mauro Ranallo, Bas Rutten and Ron Kruck will be joined by original host Kenny Rice to celebrate and take a look back at the show’s achievements and memorable moments as television’s longest running and only independent MMA news series.

Inside MMA debuted on Sept. 14, 2007, as the first and only television series devoted to the burgeoning sport of MMA. In the 10 seasons that followed, Inside MMA documented the meteoric rise of MMA from a fringe sport fighting for mainstream acceptance to becoming the fastest growing sport in the world.

“Inside MMA blazed the trail for mainstream media’s acceptance of MMA,” said Cuban. “Bas, Kenny and Ron were there from the start, introducing the sport and its stars to a national television audience when other networks and newspapers were too afraid and out of touch to recognize its appeal.”

AXS TV Fights complete 2017 line-up will be announced at a later date.

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