UFC Hires TV Production Execs Portley, Candito From ESPN

The UFC will announce a pair of hires today as it continues to build out its television production side to meet increased programming commitments that came as part of its deal with the Fox Sports networks. Kieren Portley joins the UFC as VP/Studio & Spanish Production. Zach Candito signs on as event producer for UFC's weigh-in and pre- and postfight shows on Fuel TV. Both come from ESPN, where they worked on the studio show "MMA Live."

Portley, who will be based in L.A., was the coordinating producer behind the launch of "MMA Live," which started as an ESPN.com show and graduated to ESPN2 last year. He was responsible for all cross platform original content and sales integration at ESPN Deportes. Candito, who was at ESPN for five years, also was a producer on "MMA Live." He will be based at UFC's Las Vegas HQs. UFC is expected to account for about one-quarter of the programming on Fuel TV this year, network execs have said.