– Top welterweight and middleweight MMA prospects from Canada and Australia go head-to-head –
– “Showdown” Joe Ferraro hosts live edition of UFC Central following the show’s premiere, featuring Team Canada fighters Chad Laprise and Elias Theodorou –
– PLUS, five hours of UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou kicks off big UFC night on Sportsnet 360, Jan. 15 –
NOTE: Toronto media invited to attend The Ultimate Fighter Nations viewing party on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Please see additional info below.
TORONTO (January 14, 2014) National pride is on the line when Canada’s best amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighters step into the spotlight in the debut of The Ultimate Fighter® Nations: Canada vs. Australia. As home to UFC in Canada, Sportsnet provides exclusive Canadian coverage of the high-octane, one-hour reality show that begins on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet 360. Following the premiere, the 13-part series will air every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet 360.
The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia marks the first time Canada is participating in TUF’s international series, and features eight of the top welterweight (170lbs) and eight middleweight (185lbs) fighters living under the same roof as they go head-to head in a gruelling competition. The winner of each weight class receives a six-figure contact with the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter title. Team Canada will be coached by Rimouski, QC’s Patrick Côté, a nine-year UFC veteran who appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback in 2006, and was the first Canadian to reach a TUF series final. Kyle Noke, a native of Dubbo, New South Wales, will coach the Australian team. Côté and Noke will fight for the first time in the show’s finale April 16.
Leading into the TUF Nations: Canada vs. Australia premiere on January 15, Sportsnet primes fans with five hours of full card coverage from UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Philippou, beginning at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on Sportsnet 360. Throughout UFC Fight Night, UFC Central will present exclusive live interviews with TUF Nations contestants Chad Laprise and Elias Theodorou ahead of the show’s premiere.
Below are the key details of Sportsnet’s UFC and TUF coverage this week:
Tuesday, Jan. 14
- UFC Central – Host “Showdown” Joe Ferraro and Sarah Davis looks back at the history of the TUF, including past winner and the most memorable moments at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet 360.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
- UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou – Five hours of full card coverage, beginning at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
- Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia – Episode One at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet 360
- UFC Central Special: TUF Nations Premiere – Live from the Sportsnet 360 studios, Ferraro is joined by Team Canada’s Laprise and Theodorou to discuss the action from the premiere episode and recap UFC Fight Night at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Sportsnet 360
Throughout the entire series, sportsnet.ca provides TUF fans with an all-access pass to the action and behind-the-scenes stories, including:
- Weekly previews and recaps of each episode, including can’t miss fighter interviews
- Weekly blog posts from Canadian fighter Theodorou
- Videos highlights
Media Availability – The Ultimate Fighter Nations Premiere Viewing Party
Media are invited to attend a special viewing party on Wednesday, Jan. 15 as The Ultimate Fighter® Nations: Canada vs. Australia premieres on Sportsnet 360. Join Canadian cast members Elias Theodorou and Chad Laprise in Sportsnet’s King West St. studios.
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 15: UFC Fight Night at 8 p.m. ET; TUF Nations premiere at 10 p.m. ET
WHERE: Sportsnet 360 studio, 370 King Street West, Toronto (1st floor)
WHO: Interviews available with Canadian cast members Elias Theodorou and Chad Laprise, UFC veteran fighter Sam Stout, and more
Please RSVP to Stephanie Ura at sura@ufc.com
Social Media Links
Official website, Sportsnet www.sportsnet.ca
Like Sportsnet on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/sportsnet
Follow Sportsnet @Sportsnet
Follow “Showdown” Joe Ferraro @ShowdownJoe
Follow Sarah Davis @sarahnicoledavis
Follow Official Sportsnet PR @SportsnetPR
About Sportsnet
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Sportsnet is Fuelled By Fans, and delivers storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level. The multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile and the Hockey Central app on iPad and Playbook. Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in NHL and MLB television broadcasts and is home to 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet is an official licensed broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup BrazilTM and also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, the Memorial Cup, CIS Vanier Cup, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Grand Slam of Curling, IZOD IndyCar Series, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Connected is the network’s nightly news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day’s events in the world of sports.