The SHOWTIME Mixed Martial Arts announce team, led by play-by-play broadcast veteran Gus Johnson, Mixed Martial Arts experts Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros and MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich will combine to create one of the most experienced and versatile groups in the history of the sport. The announcement was made today by Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports & Event Programming, SHOWTIME, at a Los Angeles press conference kicking off the premium network's new relationship with leading MMA promoter Strikeforce.

The group will work in various combinations on both Strikeforce championship telecasts and on the yet to be named up-and-comers' series.

"I am thrilled with the announce team we've assembled," said Hershman. "The depth of talent, in terms of professional fight experience and live broadcast polish, is unmatched in the industry.

"As the first premium television network to regularly deliver live MMA events, SHOWTIME has taken the lead in presenting the sport with the respect and integrity it deserves. We take pride in delivering unparalleled coverage of this dynamic sport. And now, our broadcast team is unparalleled as well."

Gus Johnson
Johnson will be the lead play-by-play announcer and host for the Strikeforce telecasts on SHOWTIME, beginning with the first live event on April 11 (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) that features Frank Shamrock against Nick Diaz in the main event of a five-fight telecast. The versatile Johnson will be joined on April 11 by analysts Ranallo and Miletich.

A practicing mixed martial artist who studies Shing Yi Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing, Johnson joined SHOWTIME Sports in January 2009 as the lead play-by-play announcer on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. In addition, Johnson continues his work with CBS Sports as play-by-play announcer for the network's coverage of the NCAA Men's College Basketball Championships (since 1995) and the National Football League (since 1998).

"This is a great opportunity to be part of the most rapidly growing sport in America," said Johnson. "MMA is a sport that, in a few years, can become one of the most dominant sports in the country because the kids love it. I think MMA is going to continue to flourish and SHOWTIME is the perfect network to foster its development on television.

"I don't think there's a better team out there that can deliver the intensity of the moment while entertaining the core MMA fan and enlightening new comers.

Johnson, who called boxing for CBS Sports and Madison Square Garden Network, was the voice of CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS in 2008. He continues as an active member of the CBS Sports broadcast team.

Mauro Ranallo
Always quick with a quip, the renowned Ranallo will lead the play-by-play duties on the up-and-comers' series.

The colorful Canadian previously worked blow-by-blow for EliteXC and ShoXC telecasts on SHOWTIME and was an analyst on CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS. From 2003-2006, he has provided play-by-play for pay-per-view broadcasts of Japan's legendary Pride Fighting Championships into the North American marketplace.

"I am very excited to be a part of the new SHOWTIME team,'' said Ranallo, who also is the current lead anchor of the Fight Network, host of Fight Network Radio on Sirius/XM 98 and host of "The MMA Show" on the SCORE...