A coming out party for MMA
It has been a slow and steady build, but the world of mixed martial arts is about to be thrust upon the world of network television this weekend.
Two events by two separate companies will fill the airwaves on both Saturday and Sunday night as this fast growing sport is given an audience well beyond its normal viewers.
On Saturday night, Elite XC will air a live event emanating from Newark on CBS at 9 pm. The main event features internet legend Kimbo Slice, a menacing street brawler whose videos have garnered over 20,000,000 views on YouTube, who will be taking on James Thompson. Also featured at this event is up-and-coming MMA superstar Robbie Lawler. More information on this fight, courtesy of Neil Best, can be found here. What could possibly make this fight better? 
How about the talents of Gus Johnson, one of the most passionate, intelligent and intense voices in sports broadcasting today, and analysis from MMA legend Frank Shamrock.
Tickets are still available to this event, which takes place at the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils
As if this weekend could not get any better for fans of MMA, World Extreme Cagefighting will be holding a featherweight title match live on the Versus network on Sunday at 9 pm from the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. The champion, Urijah Faber (20-1) will take on former UFC fighter Jens Pulver (22-8-1). For more on this fight, check out this story by Joe Fernandez.
MMA might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has clearly attracted the attention of boxing fans, professional wrestling fans, and those who simply love competition. Buying a pay-per-view event from the UFC every month or so is very expensive, but I urge you to check out either or both of these events if you have never seen an MMA event before. You might be surprised.
Check out Joe Fernandez's MMA blog here.
-- Tim Fiorvanti
