New Fox show gains NFL, MMA, Playboy stars

Daniel Negreanu is still the ultimate opponent in the Million Dollar Challenge.

One of the NFL's greatest runner backs, a one-time UFC champion and Playboy's 2008 Playmate of the Year will be among the opponents contestants will face on the debut of PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge this week.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, MMA star Tito Ortiz and Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole, will act as the first round of Celebrity Defenders on the Fox Sports show set to air Oct. 11.

Contestants will take on the in the stars in heads-up No Limit Hold'em matches in the first of four rounds with a little help from Canadian Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu.

The second round will feature a heads-up match against another member of Team PokerStars Pro and in the final two, the would-be students will take on teacher Negreanu with $1 million on the line.

"I'm thrilled to be part of this show," Negreanu said. "I love the concept and I know that it will be packed with great poker and all the bells and whistles, hip graphics and drama that FOX is known for."

Prizes also escalate with each round, starting with a trip to the Bahamas for the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the first round, $25,000 in the second round, $100k in the first of two matches against Negreanu and $1 million for the final.

Should a celebrity guest prevail in the first round, $5,000 will be donated to the charity of their choice.

Negrenau and the other Team PokerStars Pros will be playing for $10,000 for charity.