Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

EliteXC will get its first shot at primetime network exposure when the organization presents it first event on CBS on May 31, the promotion officially announced today.

As expected, Kimbo Slice will be a major centerpiece of the event, though his opponent was not announced. In the only fight made official, middleweight champion Robbie Lawler will defend his title against former UFC fighter Scott Smith.

The two-hour broadcast will air from 9-11 pm ET/PT.

Video   The dangerous Kimbo Slice March 18: Kimbo Slice says his Secret Service code-name would be 'Killer' — is that a surprise? NBC Sports

"I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically," said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President.

CBS and EliteXC announced their deal last month. The network will broadcast four MMA events per year.

The first event is expected to set an all-time TV ratings record for MMA in the U.S. The most-watched MMA event on record is UFC 75, which was broadcast on SpikeTV and averaged 4.7 million viewers. That broadcast peaked with 5.6 million viewers tuning into the light-heavyweight championship fight between champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and challenger Dan Henderson.

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