Cuban’s network spotlights MMA

The entrance of Mark Cuban into the world of mixed martial arts finally became official with the first HDNet Fights card Saturday night in Dallas.

Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and current "Dancing with the Stars" competitor, has long been rumored to be interested in the fighting world.

"I think there is an opportunity to take MMA mainstream, to treat the athletes the same way we do in the NBA and to make the fighters the brand," Cuban wrote in an e-mail to the Review-Journal.

The fights will air on HDNet, a cable network also run by Cuban. The network's MMA programming is not limited to fight cards. HDNet also produces and airs "Inside MMA." The show is hosted by Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, and is one of the only news-type programs covering the MMA world.

HDNet is not available on Cox Cable in Las Vegas. The network is available on DirecTV and Dish Network. Each episode of "Inside MMA" is also available on the network's Web site at hdnetfights.com.

Saturday night's card was not broadcast live, but will air Friday on HDNet.

"Live is nice, but not essential," Cuban said in his e-mail. "We will try an increasing number of live events on HDNet. We are trying for a December date in Dallas we can do live."

In the main event, Erik Paulson defeated Jeff Ford by first round submission. UFC veterans Drew Fickett, Justin Eilers and Pete Spratt scored victories on the card.

• BONNAR RELOCATES -- Since defeating Mike Nickels to snap a two-fight losing streak, Ultimate Fighting Championship star Stephan Bonnar has relocated to Las Vegas.

After joking that the quality of Las Vegas gentlemen's clubs was behind his move from Chicago, Bonnar said one of his main reasons was the access to training sites here.

"It's the life. It's a lot easier than Chicago as far as parking and traffic and the training is so much easier," Bonnar said before a workout at his new facility, Xtreme Couture. "You don't have to drive to Milwaukee or Indiana, you just go right to the gym."

Bonnar will fight Eric Schafer on the UFC 77 card Saturday night at Cincinnati. He feels his camp at Xtreme Couture has been very helpful .

"There is just so much talent to work with here," Bonnar said. "That makes for some good sparring and there are some really good coaches to work with here, too."

• VERA VERSUS SYLVIA -- The heavyweight fight between Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia on Saturday has taken on added importance in light of recent events in the division.

With Randy Couture's resignation and resulting vacancy of the UFC Heavyweight Title, this battle of top competitors should propel the winner toward a shot at the belt.

Sylvia, the former champion who lost the belt to Couture in March, is coming off back surgery and claims to finally be pain-free.

Vera, an unbeaten fighter who has gone the distance only once in eight pro fights, returns from nearly a year without a fight after a dispute with his longtime manager.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or (702) 224-5509.