MUMBAI: The viewership for UFC has been growing steadily over the years and last year it was the most watched combat sports property in India. In order to take the premier international property to a wider audience base in India, Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has announced its plans to telecast marquee UFC events in Hindi every month starting with UFC 242. This initiative will offer millions of viewers across India the opportunity to watch the best MMA fighters inside UFC’s world-famous Octagon in English on SONY TEN 2 channels and in Hindi on SONY TEN 3 channels.
One of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, UFC 242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER, will have a special guest from India in attendance. On the invitation of SPSN and UFC, Bollywood actor and youth icon Varun Dhawan will visit the United Arab Emirates for UFC 242 taking place at The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on 7th September.
In the build-up to the mega event, the actor will appear in a special on-air campaign for SPSN, “UFC – As Real as It Gets” where he will be seen showcasing his adulation for UFC with its real fights, real sacrifice and real glory on the SPSN channels.
UFC 242 is among the most anticipated UFC events of the year and will feature a championship unification bout between undefeated UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov and the interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in the main event. The event will also feature top UFC athletes Edson Barboza, Paul Felder, Islam Makhachev and many more.
Viewers can catch the action on SONY TEN 2 channels in English and SONY TEN 3 channels in Hindi on 7th September, 11.30 PM IST onwards.
Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer, Distribution and head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited, noted: “We are delighted that India’s youth icon and known UFC fan, Varun Dhawan, is attending one of the biggest combat sports events of 2019, UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. The following for UFC has grown over the years and our objective is to reach out to every combat sports fan in the country through our programming initiatives. The launch of the live Hindi commentary will not only strengthen our reach across markets but also serve our viewers by giving them the option to watch the highly anticipated UFC 242 and other marquee UFC events in English or Hindi on Sony Pictures Sports Network.”
