NEW YORK (Dec. 17, 2009)- SHOWTIME Sports will once again offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans around the world STRIKEFORCE: All Access, the cutting edge online interactive experience, live on Saturday, Dec. 19, for STRIKEFORCE: “Evolution” from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
The immersive digital experience will stream simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME® telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET* and be available to fans around the world including those in Brazil, Japan, throughout Europe as well as in the U.S. and Canada.
STRIKEFORCE: All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for pre-order at http://strikeforce.sho.com now. Purchase includes access to the live stream and replays anytime thereafter through December 24, 2009.
STRIKEFORCE: All Access debuted on April 11, 2009, when world-class MMA promotion STRIKEFORCE brought Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz to SHOWTIME. The unique experience was offered again on June 6, for the Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields event. On both previous offerings, STRIKEFORCE: All Access was limited to U.S.-based online users. All Access went global for the first time with STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg” on Aug. 15.
With STRIKEFORCE: All Access, fans can be their own director and toggle among five live cameras with full pause and rewind capabilities including SHOWTIME Sports exclusive CageCam®-a small, high quality camera worn by the referee which takes viewers inside the cage during the fights. Audio tracks will include the SHOWTIME telecast fight call by host and play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo, and color commentators Frank Shamrock and Stephen Quadros, as well as the corresponding audio to the selected camera. SHOWTIME is again working with BitGravity, Inc. and Episodic, Inc. to enable this unique multi-media experience.
As part of STRIKEFORCE: All Access fans also will receive a live Twitter feed from the event and can join behind-the scenes staff in tweeting about “Strikeforce” and “SHOWTIME Sports” during the evening.
Through a Facebook® Connect application, fans will be able to make predictions, comment on the live fights, discuss outcomes and more directly on the All Access page.
Other features include professional and amateur photography from the spectacle in the arena. Images of the fights, fan interaction and backstage will be uploaded during the live event via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online community.
The Dec. 19 fight card features the return of undefeated superstar and former STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight Champion Cung Le against power punching Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith. Le, one of the most prolific and exciting fighters in all of martial arts, will return to the cage for the first time since relinquishing his title to concentrate on a movie career. STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson will defend his title against top-seeded rival and Interim Champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez. Undefeated Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal will make his United States and STRIKEFORCE debut when he meets two-time NAIA wrestling All-American Mike Whitehead. Middleweight Matt “The Law” Lindland will battle highly regarded STRIKEFORCE newcomer Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
*Telecast airs live in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast); STRIKEFORCE: All Access will be webcast live in available countries at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.