ProElite Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, is expected to announce a deal with CBS that will put Mixed Martial Arts on major network television in the United States for the first time, according to reports.

The U.S website MMAjunkie.com reports that an agreement has been reached between CBS and the California-based ProElite, and that CBS will broadcast live EliteXC events in prime-time slots.

The events will likely take place every other month.

While the news shows the true rise in popularity of MMA in America, it will come as a massive blow to the leading company in the industry, Dana White's Ultimate Fighting Championship.

White and the UFC were involved in "advanced negotiations" with CBS towards the end of 2007, only for a possible deal to collapse after neither party could agree terms relating to the creative content of the shows.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks Inc. in 2006. The organization’s events, which are held under the EliteXC and ShowXC banners, currently air on Showtime.

Showtime is owned by CBS.

An official announcement with additional details of the deal is expected to be announced in the next few days.