UFC hires two Emmy-winning producers

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today the addition of two new staff members who will play key roles in the organization’s television production efforts. Former ESPN Deportes coordinating producer Kieren Portley joins UFC as Vice President of Studio and Spanish Production, while former ESPN producer Zach Candito takes the role of Event Producer for UFC’s weigh-in, pre- and post-fight shows on FUEL TV.
Portley, an Emmy Award-winning producer, spent 10 years at ESPN and was responsible for the creation of popular shows such as MMA Live, Fantasy Football Now, and other high profile content. While at ESPN Deportes, the University of Rhode Island graduate was responsible for all cross platform original content and sales integration. In his new role, Portley will oversee a variety of UFC studio productions with a concentration in Spanish-language broadcasts. He will be based out UFC’s offices in Los Angeles.

Also an Emmy Award-winner, Candito spent five years at ESPN, producing the hit shows MMA Live and Fantasy Football Now, while also creating digital content for ESPN.com. A graduate of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut with a degree in broadcast journalism, Candito will manage and produce UFC’s weigh-in, pre- and post-fight shows. He’ll also work closely in production elements surrounding UFC events on FOX, FX and FUEL TV. He will be based out of UFC’s Las Vegas corporate headquarters.

“The next two years are going to be big for us and we’re going to produce a lot of new programs for our fans,” UFC President Dana White said. “We’ve got some of the most talented people in the world on our staff and it’s great to bring on accomplished guys like Kieren and Zach to our production department.”

Will this make ESPN hate the UFC even more now? Bitter.

ESPN already hates the UFC, because ESPN can't see past football, baseball and women's college softball. Let us not forget Lumberjack competitions, Poker, and billiards.