WWE legend Jim Ross will be teaming up with former UFC star Chael Sonnen this October to broadcast the Battlegrounds MMA one-night tournament.
While the former pro-wrestling commentator worked a boxing event for FOX Sports 1 earlier this year, next month's tournament will be his first participation in an MMA event, according to FOX Sports.
Sonnen has participated in commentary before, having done work for the UFC and FOX Sports before being let go from his broadcasting contract for failing a pair of drug tests, the second of which was for a human growth hormone.
The Ross/Sonnen deal has been in negotiation for the past few months, MMA Fighting reported.
"As a long time fan of MMA, to be asked to broadcast this grueling, Battle Ground MMA event on October 3 is amazingly exciting for me," Ross said. "I've broadcast NFL and XFL, Fox Sports boxing and sports entertainment for WWE, but MMA is a new adventure and one that I'm enormously excited in which to contribute. To launch this phase of my broadcasting career in my home state and with Chael Sonnen at cage side makes it an ideal opportunity and a bucket list experience."
Ross began his broadcasting career in pro wrestling almost 40 years ago, and as worked for a number of promotions such as Mid South Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. He was voted announcer of the year in pro wrestling on 14 different occasions.
The Oklahoma native got involved in podcasting after leaving the WWE last year, and has discussed his interest in announcing MMA on his show, MMA Fighting reported.
Battleground MMA will be held on pay-per-view on Oct. 3rd at the BOK Center in Tusla, Okla. The eight-man tournament will feature Dennis Hallman (53-15-2), Roan Carneiro (17-9), Cody McKenzie (15-4), Brock Larson (37-8) Luigi Fiorvanti (24-11), David Mitchell (14-4), Trey Houston (10-2), and Chris Honeycutt (4-0). The first six used to fight for the UFC, while Mitchell once fought for Strikeforce and Honneycutt is a two-time All-American wrestler. Ryan Couture (8-3), son of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, will take on Jonny Carson (11-6) in the main event.
