It is the first live MMA telecast from SHOWTIME Sports since it announced a multi-year agreement with world champion MMA event producer Strikeforce on Feb. 5, 2009.

Versatile play-by-play broadcast veteran Gus Johnson will call the action from cageside with MMA expert Mauro Ranallo and MMA superstar Pat Miletich, who is making his network debut, serving as expert analysts.

Days away from the initial SHOWTIME-Strikeforce event, the announce team weighs in on the main event and more.

GUS JOHNSON

“In all my years, and all the sports that I’ve broadcast, I have never worked with someone in the announce booth that has gone back into the field of play to compete again,” said Johnson, referring to Shamrock and their work together on CBS Television’s previous MMA broadcasts. “So this is going to be weird to see Frank get in the cage and fight. He’s my boy. He’s taught me so much about the sport in the past year. But, you know, he is in the hurt business.”

Johnson joined SHOWTIME Sports in January 2009 as the lead play-by-play announcer on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. A practicing mixed martial artist who studies Shing Yi Kung Fu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing, Johnson has worked at 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).

“Shamrock-Diaz is an incredible fight,” Johnson said. “It’s like a young lion versus an old lion. Frank’s getting older. He’s had injuries. Diaz is hungry and hot and as good on the ground as Frank is on his feet. Nick is tall, long and has some power. It will be a major challenge for Frank, but we are talking about Frank Shamrock; A legend and master strategist who’ll push Nick like he’s never been pushed before. He’s so smart, I expect Shamrock to physically take away some of Diaz’s advantages.

“Frank is nasty in the cage. He’s kind of a mad scientist when it comes to this beautiful sport. He’s going to try and punish Nick and prove that the old lion still runs the pack. With this fight in San Jose, the neighboring town for Nick and the hometown of Frank, it is going to be an electric atmosphere.”