WEC signs TV deal with Setanta in Australia

World Extreme Cagefighting announced Monday a television agreement with Setanta Sports in Australia. Beginning with the Oct. 10 card featuring an interim title fight between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson, Setanta Sports will now carry all WEC events live. The agreement gives over 80,000 viewers in Australia access to the best light weight fighters in the world.

"We are pleased to announce this partnership with Setanta Sports and excited to expand our offerings to fans in Australia," WEC Vice President Peter Dropick said. "As we continue to grow our brand globally, we think Setanta Sports will play an important role in our international development."

"Setanta Sports is very excited about showing the WEC to our viewers in Australia," Shane O'Rourke, Setanta's President of North American and Australian Operations, said. "This will add a great fight brand with fantastic fighters to our world-class line up of quality sports."

World Extreme Cagefighting joins a television line-up that includes international rugby, top European soccer, and world-class boxing. By giving Australian fans access to the world's elite mixed martial artists such as Mike Brown, Urijah Faber, Brian Bowles, Miguel Angel Torres, and Jose Aldo, Dropick believes WEC will develop a substantial fan base down under.

"We know the Australian fans are passionate about sports," Dropick said. "Now that they have the chance to see the WEC brand, we think they will gravitate toward our fast-paced, action-packed fight cards."