UFC to air on new cable channel in Philippines

Nissi Icasiano

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UFC to air on new cable channel in Philippines
TV5's sports channel 'Hyper' will begin airing UFC programs in January 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has found a new home on Philippine television as the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization will locally air its fight cards and other sideshows on TV5’s sports channel “Hyper” starting January 2016. 

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-bankrolled TV5 acquired the broadcast rights of the UFC from ABS-CBN Sports and publicly confirmed it on Monday, December 21, as it will start airing the promotion’s programs next month.

The UFC is now on Cignal and TV5!

This January 2016, we’re bringing the fight to you.Watch the UFC LIVE on Hyper ch. 53 on Cignal, and the encore telecast on TV5! #UFCOnCignal #UFCOnTV5

Posted by Hyper on Sunday, 20 December 2015

Hyper, which is one of the two broadcast partners of the Philippine Basketball Association on cable television along with FOX Sports, airs on Channel 53 of the TV5-affiliated Cignal Digital TV.

The network is not new to combat sports as it regularly broadcasts boxing as well as kickboxing and World Wrestling Entertainment shows since it was launched in April 2012.

UFC’s transfer to Hyper comes on the heels of a surprising announcement that Balls Channel will cease operations at the end of the year as ABS-CBN will solely focus on its “Sports and Action” outfit.

UFC’s events and news magazine shows have been a staple on Balls Channel for cable since 2007, while its fight cards were frequently catered on free television via Studio 23 before changing the station’s name to ABS-CBN Sports and Action in January 2014.

Balls Channel likewise played a pivotal role in bringing top MMA fighters into the country to hold open workouts such as Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre, BJ Penn, Mark Muñoz, Alexander Gustafsson and Carlos Condit.

The third meeting between St-Pierre and Matt Hughes for the interim welterweight championship in December 2007 was the first UFC card that was aired on Balls Channel after several years being broadcasted on Solar Sports.

UFC made its maiden Philippine venture this past May, with Frankie Edgar defeating Urijah Faber in a featherweight super-fight as the event’s headliner.

The MMA company also highlighted Muñoz’s farewell bout as the Filipino-American stalwart had a storybook ending to his 8-year MMA career by dominantly defeating Luke Barnatt in front of the hometown crowd. – Rappler.com 

*Editor’s Note: In a previous version of this story, it was said that Hyper was available on Sky Cable. Hyper is exclusively available on Cignal.

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