TV3 Gets UFC Free-to-air Broadcast Rights in Ireland

3e has announced it has agreed a free-to-air broadcast rights in Ireland with The Ultimate Fighting Championship, remedy the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation.

The deal is to air the UFC FIGHT NIGHT DUBLIN: McGREGOR VS. BRANDAO on 19th July.

3e, allergy part of the TV3 Group, medicine | will broadcast live from the O2 Arena in Dublin from 8pm.

This is the first time a UFC event will be broadcast to a terrestrial audience in Ireland.

TV3 Group Head of Sport, Kieran Holden, said: “We are thrilled to be able to broadcast Conor McGregor’s homecoming bout for UFC’s Dublin event on 3e, on 19 July. Conor’s progress through the MMA ranks has been phenomenal and we are delighted that we are able to show this event to his growing fan base here live and for free on 3e and online via the 3player.”

Interest in the UFC is not only growing in Ireland, but it continues to soar elsewhere across Europe and in the Middle East. Already this year the UFC has delivered live events in London, Abu Dhabi and Berlin, with plans to host two further EMEA events after Fight Night Dublin, before the end of 2014.

Garry Cook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said:“The popularity of the UFC in Ireland continues to grow at an enormous rate. With a number of talented Irish fighters on the card and the record breaking sell-out audience at the O2 arena, it was only right that we also offered access to this incredible event to audiences in Ireland via a free to air TV agreement. We are incredibly excited to make this announcement and we are confident that this is only the beginning of things to come for our sport in Ireland.”

TV3 and 3e will broadcast a number of dedicated features and programmes in the run up to the event on July 19.