"Inside MMA," HDNet's original weekly program devoted completely to news and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts will celebrate 100 episodes with a special installment on Friday, August 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The program, which launched in September of 2007, filled a gap in the world of sports news and has since become the primary news for all things MMA.
“It’s the only real (MMA) news show on television that covers the sport, not just UFC and Strikeforce, but around the world,” HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon told MMAWeekly.com on Friday.
“I think more than anything, we’ve featured the best fighters in the world, not just in our fights on the network, but also... if you look at the guests that have come on Inside MMA over the last two years, it’s been unbelievable. You name the person... they’ve been on the show.”
"I'm certainly thrilled by, but not surprised at, the success of 'Inside MMA,'" said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Launched as the first and only program of its kind, 'IMMA' has quickly become THE source for MMA, thanks especially to the hard work of the program's outstanding staff."
As much as Inside MMA keeps fans up to date on the promotions at the top of the food chain, Simon is just as proud about what the show has done for the smaller, regional shows and the fighters coming up from the grass roots level.
“When you take a quick look, to have 135 fight promotions, 39 states, 12 different countries, just on that show,” he commented. “That’s one of the great things Inside MMA does (covering some of the smaller promotions) that are going on and giving some kids the exposure... that are fighting in not a major media market, and getting them on Inside MMA is like being on Sports Center.”
Overall, Simon has a lot to be proud of. Besides forwarding the sport of MMA, the show has made it’s mark in the television industry as well. As he notes, not many shows make this far.
“We’ve done 100 episodes of Inside MMA (we want) to make sure people know what a milestone that is in the business of just television.”
The special 100th episode of "Inside MMA" airs Friday, August 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET on HDNet.
The program, which launched in September of 2007, filled a gap in the world of sports news and has since become the primary news for all things MMA.
“It’s the only real (MMA) news show on television that covers the sport, not just UFC and Strikeforce, but around the world,” HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon told MMAWeekly.com on Friday.
“I think more than anything, we’ve featured the best fighters in the world, not just in our fights on the network, but also... if you look at the guests that have come on Inside MMA over the last two years, it’s been unbelievable. You name the person... they’ve been on the show.”
"I'm certainly thrilled by, but not surprised at, the success of 'Inside MMA,'" said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. "Launched as the first and only program of its kind, 'IMMA' has quickly become THE source for MMA, thanks especially to the hard work of the program's outstanding staff."
As much as Inside MMA keeps fans up to date on the promotions at the top of the food chain, Simon is just as proud about what the show has done for the smaller, regional shows and the fighters coming up from the grass roots level.
“When you take a quick look, to have 135 fight promotions, 39 states, 12 different countries, just on that show,” he commented. “That’s one of the great things Inside MMA does (covering some of the smaller promotions) that are going on and giving some kids the exposure... that are fighting in not a major media market, and getting them on Inside MMA is like being on Sports Center.”
Overall, Simon has a lot to be proud of. Besides forwarding the sport of MMA, the show has made it’s mark in the television industry as well. As he notes, not many shows make this far.
“We’ve done 100 episodes of Inside MMA (we want) to make sure people know what a milestone that is in the business of just television.”
The special 100th episode of "Inside MMA" airs Friday, August 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET on HDNet.
