NEW YORK (AP) - Mixed martial arts is returning to network television.
Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko's fight against Brett Rogers on Nov. 7 will be shown live on CBS, the first time the fast-growing sport will be on network TV since early last year. Four fights promoted by Strikeforce will be on the telecast.
No venue has been announced.
CBS aired three events for the now-defunct EliteXC promotion in 2008, with generally strong ratings. The final event in October 2008 had more viewers in the 18-34 demographic than college football and the baseball playoffs.
Emelianenko is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He signed a contract with Strikeforce last month, spurning the UFC to join the up-and-coming promotional company.