How Invicta FC almost ended up airing on Showtime

Showtime was once in the MMA business and didn’t necessarily want to leave it.
The premium channel aired Strikeforce from 2009 until the promotion was completely folded into the UFC in 2013. A few months after Strikeforce’s extinction, Showtime went into discussions about bringing the sport of mixed martial arts back to its network.
Invicta FC and Showtime were nearly broadcast partners. At the very least, there were discussions underway. Showtime Sports executive Stephen Espinoza sa