UFC moves to Tap DMV

Thiago Santos will headline UFC Fight Night 193, the first MMA broadcast under Tap DMV. Zuffa LLC (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The world's top mixed martial arts promotion now has a new home.

Tap Digital Media Ventures will be the new Philippine broadcaster of the UFC as officially announced on Thursday.

Following Fox Asia's stoppage of operations, Tap has quickly taken over the broadcast rights, starting with UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker on Sunday in its Premier Sports channel.

"Tap is both a cable company and a streaming platform," Bogie De Guia, Tap's chief technical officer, described cable television's newest player.

He added that Tap has seven channels available in almost 80 pay TV services nationwide, including Premier Sports.

"We're almost in all corners of the Philippines," De Guia added.

But fans who don't have cable TV access can also watch the fights and other sporting events in Premier Sports through their phones via the Tap Go app.

"What we try to bring to the consumers is quality content for everyone," De Guia further said.

That is why they took the opportunity when the UFC is looking to find a new Filipino hub.

"UFC is just really booming now. UFC is the second biggest sports name in the Philippines, and once it was available, we really had to get it. We worked so hard to bring this to the MMA fans," De Guia added.

Rely San Agustin, Tap's chief marketing officer, then added that Premier Sports will also broadcast the UFC's next two pay-per-view events, UFC 267 and UFC 268, as well as 40 more UFC events.

Also, Premier Sports will replay some of the UFC's greatest fights.

He then bared as part of the new broadcasting rights, Tap will have an exclusive UFC-only subscription for the Tap Go users which will become operational soon.

"UFC All-Access is a separate subscription package which will be coming soon. Once we're ready, we'll be able to announce it to you," San Agustin continued.

For now, all focus is on the upcoming UFC Fight Night card, which will be headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Brazilian contenders Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker.

"We are very excited for UFC Fight Night 193 because this is gonna be our first major broadcast," San Agustin further said.

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