With the UFC currently churning out cards across multiple platforms such as ESPN, ESPN+, and ABC, it can be easy to forget the promotion’s history on past networks that helped launch the world’s MMA leader into the juggernaut he is today.
Initially reaching a broadcast deal with FOX Sports in August 2011, the UFC began live broadcasting of the fight in prime time from November of that year through December 2018. This also included additional UFC Fight Nights and broadcast content for FOX’s various cable properties, which included FOX Sports. 1, FX, and FUEL TV.
Not only would this agreement lead to the first televised events of the UFC on network television in the United States, but it also sparked a more “corporate era” for the company in terms of an uptick in its show schedule and more mainstream marketing tactics that have quietly contributed to its ability to make a multi-billion dollar sale. to WME-IMG in 2016.
During this time, the UFC has clearly looked to its best talent to fill these cards, even drawing on underappreciated and/or underpaid fighters like Demetrius Johnson and Nate Diaz (whose promotion has traditionally been heading to the negotiating table).
This post pays tribute to some of the UFC fighters who made the FOX era an incredibly interesting follow-up to the “golden age” of the organization. NB: It would be very difficult to make a list if you included Fight Nights from FS1, so this list is going to be strict Focus on the fights that were broadcast on the big FOX network.
Without further ado, here are the 10 best fights that have ever aired on FOX…