TV Azteca & Combate Americas Tie Up for MMA Content

NEW YORK/MEXICO CITY: Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise Combate Americas and TV Azteca have entered into an exclusive year-long deal to air live world championship MMA events in the U.S. and Mexico.

The agreement marks the first time TV Azteca will broadcast MMA programming in Mexico. In addition to monthly live events, it includes a weekly show that will feature the best Combate Americas fights to date and spotlight the league’s talented young fighters and celebrity personalities. The series, Combate Americas Azteca, will be hosted by MMA journalist and Combate Americas color commentator Andrea Calle.

The live events and weekly series will be featured on both TV Azteca’s Channel 7 in Mexico and Azteca America in the U.S. Broadcast from Mexico City, the first live event under the new pact is slated for Thursday, January 19. Combate Americas Azteca will debut on November 3 at 10 p.m. on Azteca America, and on November 4 at 11 p.m. on Channel 7.

“MMA has developed a worldwide audience and through Combate Americas, a passionate following among the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic, millennial audience, which is why we wanted this programming for both the U.S. and Mexico,” said Rodrigo Fernández, the director of Azteca 7. “Campbell McLaren understands MMA better than anyone, which is why Azteca wants to be part of what we believe will be phenomenal growth for Combate Americas.”

Manuel Abud, the president and CEO of Azteca America, noted: “As we’ve seen with our soccer programming, live sports events drive Hispanic millennial viewing. That’s why the opportunity to deliver MMA, with its proven track record, to our audience is so compelling. Combate Americas understands the sport and our audience. It’s an unbeatable combination.”

“Our partnership with Azteca will take Combate Americas to the next level,” added Combate Americas’ founder and CEO, Campbell McLaren. “I was there for the beginning of the UFC and saw how critical the correct television partner is to the growth of the franchise. Azteca has incredible reach in both the U.S. and Mexico, which is why this is such an exciting time for us.”