Andy's UFC debut to be televised

By Gazette News Services - BillingsGazette.com

Former Billings Skyview and University of Wyoming standout wrestler Reese Andy will be making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut on live television Saturday, July 19 on Spike TV at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.

Andy, with a 7-1-0 professional mixed martial arts record, will battle Brandon Vera (8-2-0) in a 205-pound match in the co-main event. The fights will emulate from The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort.

The main event will pit Anderson Silva (22-4-0) against James Irvin (14-4-1), and will also be televised.

Overall, seven fights are on the card with three that may not be broadcast due to time limitations.

In addition to the fight card, a one-hour long preview titled "UFC Countdown: Silva vs. Irvin" will be shown four times in the Billings area on Bresnan Communications cable channels. The times are 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17 on Spike, 9 a.m. Friday, July 18 on Spike, 5 p.m. Friday, July 18 on Versus and 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19 on Spike. Spike is cable channel 40 and Versus is 404.

According to producers, the show will center on Silva and Irvin, but will have about 15 minutes previewing the Andy-Vera battle.

In a phone interview with The Gazette, Andy said a film crew shot footage of himself with workout partners and brothers Darren and Mike Andy, both former Falcon standout wrestlers. The footage included working out, sparring and playing cards.