MMA On TV: Details on WEC/UFC Versus Deal, Strikeforce's Return To CBS

Some of the biggest news of the week was made official today as Zuffa formally announced an extension with Versus, ensuring that World Extreme Cagefighting will remain on the sports lifestyle network for the next few years.

But folks, that isn't all.

The deal also calls for two UFC Fight Night-style events to come to Versus, the first time a UFC event will be aired on an outlet other than PPV or Spike.

I heard the other day that Spike had given UFC a contracted out for airing several shows on another cable provider, but that it was expected to be ESPN. Regardless, this doesn't mean that Spike is on the outs by any means, but it's an interesting development nonetheless. (More on Spike and the UFC in just a few paragraphs.)

In total, WEC will air seven times on Versus in 2010 in addition to the two UFC events. Digital rights for the WEC are also included, and Versus.com is expected to air one prelim fight per show. When 2009 is complete, eight WEC events will run on Versus, including this Saturday's event headlined by Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff. The first event for 2010 is slotted for Jan. 10 headlined by Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson, and Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao.

Coincidentally, WEC announced their second event for 2010 this week: A Saturday, March 6 date in Columbus,OH,  headlined by Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles vs. Dominick Cruz, plus the returns of former champion Miguel Torres and Jens Pulver. Tickets go on sale later this week.

Robbie Lawler was officially pulled from the San Jose Strikeforce event this Saturday. If you'll remember, Trevor Prangley had to pull out due to a knee injury earlier this week and a suitable replacement couldn't be found. The event will now be four fights instead of five.

Expect Lawler to return at the January event in Florida, which features Cyborg Santos, Nick Diaz, and Bobby Lashley. Hopefully, it'll be against equally hard-hitting Melvin Manhoef.

If you're in San Jose this Friday, you can catch the weigh-ins for free at the San Jose Marriott at 4:30 PM Pacific time.

Spike somewhat retaliated to the Versus news by announcing 10 one-hour live specials that will air prior to UFC ppv shows, extending an experiment they've tried with some of the events in the latter half of 2009. Starting with the Jan. 2 Evans vs. Silva event, the specials will follow the same format and air several prelim fights.

Word has made it around that CBS will welcome Strikeforce back to their airwaves in April or May, something Dan Henderson alluded to an interview with Mauro Ranallo last week when discussing the terms of his contract with the organization.

Henderson is expected to debut on the show against Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, along with the return of Fedor Emelianenko, who is apparently recovering just peachy from injuries suffered in his win over Brett Rogers in November. There has not been any official announcement yet on anything, but on his Twitter page, Shields has lightly alluded there might be an announcement coming on.

And finally, Dana White posted a link to a pic of Diego Sanchez following Saturday's battering at the hands of Lightweight Champion BJ Penn. Get a load of this .

Josh Nason has published MMA, wrestling and boxing blog Ropes, Ring and Cage.com since 2007. He is a contributor to Fight Magazine and Bleacher Report and appears regularly on Fight Network Radio and Mauro Ranallo's The Fight Show . Follow him on Twitter.