EliteXC's debut event on Feb. 10 was historic because it was the first time a live mixed martial arts (MMA) event was televised on premium cable, on that night Showtime.

Now, the International Fight League (IFL) -- a team-based mixed martial arts league with 12 teams from all over the US and big-name coaches such as the Shamrock brothers, Bas Rutten, and Pat Miletich -- crosses yet another threshold as it brings its product to network television.  This will mark the first time an MMA show has ever aired on network television.

Monday evening (March 12) at 8 pm, the IFL debuts its weekly two-hour show IFL Battleground on MyNetworkTV.  According to wikipedia, MyNetworkTV is owned by News Corp. and is a sister network to the Fox network, though it operates separately. The MyNetworkTV network covers 96% of the United States and its affiliate lineup is made up of former WB and UPN affiliates.

In the Baltimore area, the MyNetworkTV affiliate is WUTB 24.  In the Washington, DC area, the affiliate station is WDCA 20.  For a list of affiliates throughout the country, click here.

IFL Battleground is co-hosted by MMA star Bas Rutten as well as 2005 Playmate of the Year Tiffany Fallon.  According to the IFL website, the program will bring viewers behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews as well as fights.

This is a historic night for mixed martial arts and I plan on catching the show Monday night.  I'm hoping some of you out there do as well and I'd be interested in reading your feedback on the first episode.  In addition, I'll be curious to see what sort of ratings the show does and I'll make sure to get you those numbers when they are made available.