UFC announces Ultimate Fighter: India on Sony Six

The very American world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship continued its march around the world today, stopping for a press conference in Mumbai to announce a new partnership by the largest promoter of ‘the world’s fastest growing sport.’

The reality series Ultimate Fighter: India will begin filming in 2013 for exhibition on the Sony Six channel, a series that is just one component of a multi-event lineup from the UFC.

As part of the new arrangement, Six will show live UFC events from around the world, as well as their Countdown pre-event shows and the UFC Primetime and Unleashed series.

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta told the press conference, “We look forward to working with [Six] to not only further expand the UFC’s fanbase here, but also to find and develop local talent and, ultimately, bring regular live events to India.”

“Somewhere out there in a country of 1.2 billion there is a Indian champion,” he said, “Someone who will capture the imagination of the fans and help take the sport to a whole new level.”

Manjit Singh, the CEO of Six’s parent company, Multi Screen Media, is enthusiastic that the deal will serve as a catalyst for major local growth in MMA; “With the Ultimate Fighter: India we hope to harness and prepare local talent to produce world class fighters. It will be an inspiration to young India. SIX will motivate a new generation to compete on the world stage in one of the fastest growing sports in the world.”

The UFC has been producing localized versions of The Ultimate Fighter (or TUF) for a year now, with Ultimate Fighter: Brazil having fed a new class of South American fighters into the company ranks, and a UK vs Australia series underway currently. The group has been discussing an Ultimate Fighter Canada, Philippines, UAE and China for some time.