or


[06/18/12 - 09:01 AM]
UFC's "Road to the Octagon" Hits FOX - Original Preview Specials Set Stage for August & December UFC on FOX Events
Look for new primetime events on Saturday, August 4 and Saturday, December 8.

[via press release from FOX]

UFC'S "ROAD TO THE OCTAGON" HITS FOX

Original Preview Specials Set Stage for August & December UFC on FOX Events

Rua vs. Vera Now Headlines Aug. 4 Card

New York, NY - Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, a former UFC(R) and PRIDE(R) champion, is a mixed martial arts legend looking to launch a title run anew. Brandon "The Truth" Vera, once on the fast track to UFC stardom, seeks to redeem and rebuild a career that once seemed unstoppable. This summer, these two warriors meet in a light heavyweight main event on FOX, both hoping to re-establish their careers and find the road to future glory. Their stories and more are featured in UFC'S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON, two one-hour preview specials presented by FOX Sports that set the stage for the August and December UFC on FOX events.

The first UFC'S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON special airs Sunday, July 29 (2:00-3:00 PM ET) and features an in-depth look at Rua, Vera and fighters on UFC on FOX's main card Saturday, Aug. 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET) live and in prime time from Staples Center in Los Angeles. The second special, which focuses on the fighters battling in the Saturday, Dec. 8 prime time UFC on FOX event, airs Sunday, Dec. 2 opposite local NFL on FOX singleheader coverage (3:00-4:00 PM ET or 4:30-5:30 PM ET).

A former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE Grand Prix 2005 champion, Rua is a true legend in the sport of mixed martial arts. He owns wins over some of the sport's most elite names, including Chuck Liddell, Rampage Jackson, Alistair Overeem and Forrest Griffin. Rua developed his fighting skills at the famed Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil, and has developed a reputation as a menacing finisher and relentless pursuer of the knockout. A mainstay in the sport for a decade, the 30-year-old believes his next run at the title starts by knocking off the talented and dangerous Vera.

Vera steps inside the Octagon with one of the most interesting stories among all UFC fighters. After launching his UFC career in 2005 as a heavyweight and winning his first four fights, he was on the fast-track to becoming one of the sport's biggest stars. He was a feared knockout artist with an incredible skill set. However, his initial success led him to hold-out from UFC in 2006-07 while seeking a more lucrative contract. Vera stumbled in two heavyweight bouts upon his return, but rebounded with a light heavyweight win in July 2008 which set up a fight with then-UFC star Keith Jardine in UFC 89. A win would have solidified his comeback, but just two weeks before his wife, trainer and trainer's son were victim of a home invasion where they were held at gunpoint. While no one was hurt, Vera, traumatized and unable to focus, lost to Jardine in lackluster fashion. He struggled to regain his confidence and contemplated walking away completely until he rediscovered his passion during a long cross-country trip in 2011, stopping in MMA gyms along the way. As he stares down the biggest fight of his career against former champ Rua, Vera has a chance to fulfill the promise of his youth.

Three knockout matchups leading up to the main event ensure the atmosphere in the Staples Center will be rocking.

Terry Etim vs. Joe Lauzon (Lightweight)

Four Submission of the Night awards don the UFC record of Liverpool's Terry Etim, a testament to his status as one of the most exciting 155-pound fighters in the world. Now, he looks to follow in the footsteps of British boxing legends Ricky Hatton and David Haye in hopes of becoming England's brightest combat sports star.

It's hard to find a fighter more entertaining than Joe Lauzon and the numbers don't lie. In 12 UFC appearances, the 28-year-old has scored Submission of the Night bonuses five times, Fight of the Night three times, and KO of the Night once. His incredible performances in UFC haven't only shocked fans, they've shocked Lauzon himself. Holding a bachelor's degree in computer science from Wentworth Institute of Technology, he figured he'd be punching keys, not opponents, for a living. A self-described "computer nerd," Lauzon has built a cult-like following thanks to his progressive approach to social media, as he's no stranger to doing spontaneous live chats and interactions with fans via the Internet.

Ben Rothwell vs. Travis Browne (Heavyweight)

Built like an NFL offensive lineman, Wisconsin's Ben Rothwell (6'4", 265-pounds) is a veteran of 40 fights at the tender age of 30. A proven finisher, he looks to stuff the rise of Travis Browne. Taking a fight against a rising star is far from the toughest thing Rothwell has had to face in his life though. At the age of 6, Rothwell contracted spinal meningitis, which left him in a coma, temporarily blind and made it difficult for him to control his body weight for years. He found fighting in his teens as a way to get in shape and instantly fell in love with the sport. Success soon followed and Rothwell has developed a reputation as a gritty mauler inside the Octagon. Having fought four former UFC champions (Velasquez, Arlovski, Sylvia and Rodriguez), Rothwell could put Browne's championship aspirations in serious jeopardy.

Browne, however, looks to continue his climb and fulfill the proclamations of several high-profiled coaches and training partners who have called him the next UFC Heavyweight Champion. A proud native of Honolulu, Browne carries the flag for his home state of Hawaii. The 29-year-old knows the people of "The Aloha State" are counting on him to continue the legacy set forth by former UFC champion and Hawaii's own, BJ Penn. A father of two young boys, Kaleo and Keawe, Browne realizes the opportunity on Aug. 4 could inspire Hawaiians and propel him toward a chance to bring a UFC title back to his home state.

Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida (Light Heavyweight)

Ryan Bader is a powerful, heavy-handed wrestler and is easily one of the UFC's rising stars. He is a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and won Season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter. His wrestling pedigree, which was honed at Arizona State University, has propelled him to instant success in the UFC, while his feared right hand has opponents weary of his knockout power. Known for his supreme conditioning and physique, Bader, 28, often trains with NFL star Jared Allen and NBA star Mike Miller. In his last fight, he defeated former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Now he looks to take out another former champ on the path to his first title shot.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida is a pure example of a modern-day Bruce Lee. A black belt in Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, "The Dragon" embodies the true warrior spirit exemplified by past and present martial artists. Boasting one of the most unorthodox styles in the history of MMA, Machida, 34, comes from a long history of martial artists, as his father, Yoshizo, is a karate master. Much like the late Lee, Machida carries a relaxed, captivating confidence about him that only further cements his status a true martial artist. Machida scored one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history against Rashad Evans to become the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Machida is on a mission to get his title back.

About FOX Sports Media Group

FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox's 20 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go ; FUEL TV; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which includes FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com Scout.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are Fox's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network, BTN 2Go and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network and FOX Sports Skybox restaurants.





  [june 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/25/24 - 02:49 PM]
Hallmark's Critically Acclaimed, Hit Series "The Way Home" Jumps Back Into the Pond When Season 3 Premieres January 2, Exclusively on Hallmark+
Season three picks up where season two left off - with Kat (Chyler Leigh) and her brother Jacob (Spencer Macpherson), who went missing more than two decades ago at the age of eight and is now an adult, poised to walk into the Landry home to an unsuspecting Del (Andie MacDowell).

[11/25/24 - 12:30 PM]
"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" Returns This January for the Final Chapter
"The Final Chapter" offers a conclusion to Natalia's story as she strives for healing and resolution in her tumultuous journey filled with decades of unexpected twists and turns.

[11/25/24 - 12:00 PM]
Matthew Broderick and Son James Wilkie Broderick to Guest Star on CBS' "Elsbeth" in 2025
This will be the first time the father and son share the screen together.

[11/25/24 - 11:00 AM]
Peacock's "Richard Ramirez: The Night Stalker Tapes" Exposes the Troubled Man Behind the Dark Myth Through Firsthand Recordings and Accounts from Some of the Women Who Knew Him Best
Collected from more than 25 hours of audio recordings - most of which have never been heard before - and including revealing interviews with his family, friends and wife, the series explores the dark forces that led Ramirez to become the infamous Night Stalker.

[11/25/24 - 10:32 AM]
Video: Tom Hanks Narrates an Extraordinary Journey - "The Americas" - NBC
Narrated by Academy Award winner Tom Hanks comes the extraordinary journey of Earth's great supercontinent.

[11/25/24 - 10:30 AM]
Epic Landmark Natural History Series "Asia" Set to Premiere Saturday, January 25 on BBC America and AMC+
Presented by renowned naturalist and three-time Emmy Award-winner Sir David Attenborough, the cinematic series explores each corner of this remarkable part of our planet and journeys through Asia's most stunning landscapes, uncovering stories of extraordinary unseen animal behavior.

[11/25/24 - 10:20 AM]
AMC Networks' Launches Inaugural "Celebrating Indigenous Stories" Collection on AMC+
Also included in the special collection, and as part of the company's "Future of Film" initiative, which partners with indie film festivals that feature emerging talent from historically excluded communities, is the company's first-ever "Indigenous Rising Stars" collection.

[11/25/24 - 09:02 AM]
MTV's "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" Rings in the New Year with All-New Episodes Starting Tuesday, January 7 at 8PM ET/PT
MTV today announced the return of the popular docuseries, bringing viewers more drama, music, and the personal stories that keep fans hooked.

[11/25/24 - 09:00 AM]
Final Season of "Blue Bloods" to Conclude on Friday, Dec. 13 with Two Remaining Episodes
Amanda Kloots and Edward James Olmos will guest star in the final installments.

[11/25/24 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases the First-Look Teaser for "Beast Games" Competition Series
The series is set to debut weekly on Thursday, December 19 on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[11/25/24 - 08:00 AM]
Legendary Artist, Actor, Producer, Author and Entrepreneur Queen Latifah to Host "The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors" to Be Broadcast Sunday, Dec. 22 on CBS
The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique contributions have shaped the way we see ourselves, each other and our world.

[11/25/24 - 07:16 AM]
Stream Max Today for 70% Off
This limited time deal is available now through Monday, December 2 for both new and returning subscribers on Max.com, Apple, Google Play, Roku, Samsung, and Xumo, and for new Max customers only on Amazon Fire TV.

[11/25/24 - 07:05 AM]
2024 Billboard Music Awards to Air on December 12 in First-of-Its-Kind Multi-Platform Viewing Experience Across FOX, Paramount+ and Amazon's Fire TV Channels
Hosted by actress and comedian Michelle Buteau, the 2024 BBMAs presented by Marriott Bonvoy airs on Thursday, December 12 at 8:00pm ET/PT on FOX and Fire TV Channels, and on-demand on Paramount+, with performances also rolling out across Billboard.com, and via BBMAs and Billboard social channels.

[11/25/24 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Missing You" - Official Trailer - Netflix
What would you do if your ex disappeared and came back into your life after 11 years? Your next Harlan Coben New Year's Day watch is almost here.

[11/25/24 - 07:01 AM]
5&2 Studios Announces Theatrical Debut of "The Chosen: Last Supper" (Season 5) on March 27, 2025 and Unveils First Look Trailer
Later in 2025, the season will make its streaming debut.