Just days ago it was announced that Spike TV would be very strongly counter programing the UFC’s debut on Fox. This season of The Ultimate Fighter will end the partnership between the two companies.
Spike TV will be airing a “UFC Unleashed” marathon which will be called “Dos Santos vs. Velasquez: Unleashed for the Heavyweight Title” – featuring past fights with UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. The marathon will begin just as UFC on Fox does. Look for Spike to continue to counter program as they hold the rights to the UFC library until 2012.
Dana White spoke with Ariel Helwani about the situation last week.
“If you really look at what I call ‘the spirit of the deal’, it’s the wrong thing to do,” said White. “The thing is, you have to understand, in my opinion it’s Spike not being honorable. They’re not being honorable.
“And they know. Kevin knows, Brian, all the guys who have dealt with me at Spike TV, I’ve been nothing but honorable with them. Everything that I did was to build the UFC and Spike TV. I’ve been a fantastic partner. Whatever they’ve needed from me I’ve done for them and helped them get to where they are today, just like they’ve helped us get to where we are today.
“And what they’re doing, if that’s the case, and they’re running these things on Spike.com, that’s not the spirit of the deal and they are being 100% not honorable.“
