LAS VEGAS — Starting with UFC 89, Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), announced that the UFC will return to television in Japan with a new two-year deal.

“The Japanese market has always been important to the UFC, and we want to bring MMA and all of its biggest stars back to Japan,” said Dana White, UFC president. “We are thrilled to be back with WOWOW.”

WOWOW will telecast all UFC pay-per-view events, including UFC 89: BISPING vs. LEBEN, taking place live from National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, UK.

“WOWOW is extremely pleased to announce that the UFC is back on WOWOW, starting with the UFC 89 event in Birmingham, UK,” said Kazuyuki Omura, chief producer, WOWOW.  “The UFC will telecast in High Definition on WOWOW’s popular ‘Timely-on-Air’ format, a limited delay broadcast adjusting the airtime to a time that will be convenient for the sports fans in Japan.  After airing more than 50 UFC shows from 2001 to 2007, we are excited to once again provide our subscribers with the most prominent mixed martial arts program in the world.”

— UFC PR