Mixed martial arts will debut on CBS with a live broadcast May 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the network and ProElite announced Thursday.

"We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest growing sport with this primetime event," said Kelly Kahl, senior executive vice president of CBS Primetime. "EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts."

The CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights event will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Phil Baroni (Pictures) and Murilo Rua (Pictures) have verbally agreed to fight on the card. EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler (Pictures) will defend his title against Scott Smith, and Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (Pictures) will also be on the card.

"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.

Showtime Sports will produce CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights. David Dinkins Jr. will be the executive producer, with Bob Dunphy directing.