Mixed martial arts fighting specials will periodically move into Saturday's vast wasteland

CBS is teaming with ProElite, Inc. on a multi-year agreement to bring mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting to a major broadcast television network for the first time.

The network announced plans on Thursday (Feb. 28) to broadcast four MMA events per year, targeted as two-hour Saturday night specials from ProElite's EliteXC fight division.

CBS' corporate sibling Showtime began airing EliteXC events in 2007 and will continue to be a home for MMA.

"Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences," says Kelly Kahl, senior executive vice president, CBS Primetime. "It's original programming for Saturday night; it's live, creating an event atmosphere and it's something that hasn't been seen on network television, until now."

Gary Shaw, president of EliteXC adds, "Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS. Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world's premier MMA organization."

CBS has yet to set a timetable for the first of its primetime televised MMA events.