When The Mentalist returns with a new episode on January 6, Patrick Jane and company will enter a world with which they are unfamiliar: Mixed Martial Arts.

A murder takes place at a professional fighting event on "Bloodsport," serving as the basis for this unit's first investigation of 2011. Get an early look at scenes from the episode via the following stills:

There will also be a lot of action and intrigue away from the episode's main case.

As Special Agent J.J. Laroche, look for Pruitt Taylor Vince to lead an investigation into the events from this month's midseason finale. Rigsby, Van Pelt and Cho will all be considered suspects in the death of Todd Johnson.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.