Straka to Host New MMA Show on HDNet

Here’s some great news for MMA fans.  Mike Straka, who as host of “FOX Fight Game” was one of the first “mainstream” reporters to embrace the sport, has joined HDNet and will preside over “Fighting Words with Mike Straka,” a 30-minute interview-format program.  Straka, who has covered the sport for nearly a decade, will debut the new program with an in-depth conversation with UFC President Dana White on March 26.

I’ve known Mike for the past four years, and this format will be perfect for him.  He truly loves the sport, taking on the “Fight Game” program as an extra assignment, just because he wanted to give the sport more exposure and recognized the journalistic gold-mine that MMA and its athletes provides.

HDNet is a key channel for MMA fans, and the addition of this show makes it even more so.  The popular “Inside MMA” program with Bas Rutten, Kenny Rice and Ron Kruck (three pros who teamed up on International Fight League broadcasts back when I was with the league) remains in its 9 p.m. Friday slot.  “Fighting Words” will be a nice complement to the fast-paced “Inside MMA.”

The sport is growing, and the more programs like this, in the hands of capable reporters and hosts like Mike, the better.