Campbell McLaren and David Issacs, the original producers of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) franchise, hope to recreate their success with a new show Hip-Hop flavor mixed martial arts (MMA) show debuting on BET titled Iron Ring.
Rappers Nelly, Ludacris T.I., Lil’ Jon, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and boxer Floyd Mayweather will do battle in the ring as celebrity owners or coaches of new upcoming mixed martial artists teams on BET’s new original series.
Boxing champ Mayweather is the headliner of the show, which is a competition style show, where teams will compete and fight for $100,000 dollars grand prize purse.
Mayweather will manage the Money Mayweather Boys, with the assitance of Miami rapper Rick Ross, Nelly is representing Team Nelly, T.I., Big Kuntry, Young Dro, DJ Drama and Alpha Omega are leading Team Grand Hustle, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones head up Dipset, Lil’ Jon is running the Head Busters and Ludacris is fronting Team Luda.
“When I heard BET was bringing Iron Ring to the air, I wanted to be involved in any way I could,” Ludacris said. “What people will get out of Iron Ring is that it’s less about the man in the fight and more about the fight in the man.”
Iron Ring is produced by Zilo Live Inc. along with the is produced by Zilo Live, Inc. in association with the Warrington Hudlin Organization. Iron ring debuts on BET March 18.