Two big mixed-martial-arts shows take place this week with Thursday’s WEC 52 event in Las Vegas (live on Versus, 9 p.m.) and Saturday’s UFC 122 event in Cologne, Germany (tape delay on Spike TV, 9 p.m.).

The WEC event is one of two farewell shows for the WEC, which merges with the UFC, its sister promotion, in January. Additionally, taking place in the world’s fight capital assures it’ll go off without a hitch.

The same can’t be said for the UFC event in Germany, though.

The UFC made its debut in the country in 2009 — but not before a spurt of negative press and a ban on minors attending the show. And this year, the BLM (the Bavarian state office for new media) halted the broadcasting of UFC content on television in the country.

“It’s like the 1990s all over again,” UFC president Dana White stated. “We’re fighting against the same stereotypes and misconceptions we did here in the United States a decade ago.”

Due to the TV ban, German fans now can watch the show for free on Spox.com or the UFC’s official German website. It’s a stopgap while the UFC’s lawsuit against the BLM is held up in court.

Regardless, North American fans can watch the event — headlined by a No. 1 contender’s bout between middleweights Nate Marquardt (30-9-2) and Yushin Okami (25-5) — on cable TV.

Just steer clear of the MMA-news sites (and the ESPN ticker) to avoid spoilers.

Amputee fighter in ESPN documentary

One of the sporting world’s most inspirational stories also happens to be one of the most controversial figures in MMA. Tonight on ESPN2 (7 p.m.), Kyle Maynard, a congenital amputee born with only partially developed arms and legs, is featured in the one-hour documentary “A Fighting Chance.”

Maynard captured international headlines as a senior high-school wrestler.

He posted a 35-16 varsity record, qualified for the Georgia state championships, authored a book, and told his story to Larry King, Oprah Winfrey and other media figures. But his attempts to compete in MMA have faced numerous hurdles.

“A Fighting Chance” documents that journey and mixes in footage of Maynard’s early life and emotional wrestling days to the skepticism and even hostility he met from many within the MMA community.

MMA notables such as Renzo Gracie, Randy Couture and Forrest Griffin — as well as the coaches, officials, regulators, media members and family members — also share opinions in the riveting, can’t-miss documentary.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of

MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 and 2009 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed martial arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.