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HDNet and FEG USA Announce Partnership for K-1 Kickboxing, Extension of DREAM Contract

From a press release in my inbox:

DALLAS (November 21, 2008) - HDNet Fights announced today that it is partnering with FEG USA, Inc. to bring the extremely popular K-1 World Grand Prix and K-1 World MAX tournaments to HDNet.  K-1 is an electrifying form of kickboxing that combines techniques from various martial arts disciplines.  HDNet will be the exclusive home of K-1 in North America.
 
"K-1 is one of the most popular and exciting combat sports in the world and we're proud to present it on HDNet," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights.  "If you are a fan of DREAM, you are going to love the explosive non-stop, stand-up action of K-1 and K-1 MAX."
 
"K-1 features the best stand-up fighters in the world and draws enormous crowds everywhere," said Mike Kogan of FEG USA, Inc.  "We are very excited to have HDNet bring the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final, 2009 K-1 World Grand Prix and 2009 K-1 World MAX tournaments to North American viewers."
 
HDNet's coverage kicks off December 6 at 12:00 a.m. PT with LIVE coverage of the biggest show of the year, the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final.  The event will be repeated later that evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.  K-1 stages regional qualifiers throughout the year, which culminate in the K-1 Grand Prix, an annual one-night, 8-man tournament to determine the best stand-up fighter in the world.
 
The 2008 World Grand Prix Final on HDNet will feature the following tournament match-ups, which will lead to the crowning of the 2008 Grand Prix Champion:

  • 3-time Grand Prix Champion and K-1 Legend Peter Aerts (62-21 w/ 28Kos, Holland) vs K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari (11-3 w/ 10Kos, Morocco)
  • Errol Zimmerman (5-0 w 5Kos, Holland), Ewerton Teixeira (5-0 w 5Kos, Brazil)
  • Gokhan Saki (7-1 w 4Kos, Turkey), Ruslan Karaev (11-6 w 6Kos, Russia)
  • 2-time Grand Prix Champion Remy Bonjasky (33-8 w 15Kos, Holland), and Jerome Le Banner (43-16-2 w 29Kos, France). 
(The participating fighters may change due to injuries or their physical condition).

 The deal encompasses six events from the 2009 K-1 tournament and six events from the 2009 K-1 MAX tournament.

And now HDNet will also be carrying DREAM events through 2009:

Star-divide

DALLAS (November 21, 2008) - HDNet Fights announced that it has extended its existing partnership with FEG USA, Inc. to present the DREAM Mixed Martial Arts events in 2009 and beyond.  This announcement makes HDNet the exclusive North American television destination for the DREAM MMA events. 
 
"We're very happy to expand and continue this successful partnership with FEG USA, Inc.," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights.  "DREAM is known for having the best MMA tournaments and superfights in the world and clearly has the greatest production and fighter entrances in the sport.  This partnership solidifies our commitment to being THE Home of MMA."
 
"It has been a good year for DREAM," said Mike Kogan of FEG USA, Inc. "We are glad that FEG is able to continue its partnership with HDNet and bring more DREAM action to North American Fans."
 
Airdates and times for the upcoming DREAM events will be announced at a later date.

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This is good news, cept i cant get hd-net, and believe me iv’e tried. i called and was told it’s not available in my area YET. im hoping yet means it will be soon. too anyone who does get HDnet fights, how much is it per month?

by bdw on Nov 21, 2008 2:03 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is 10 bucks or 5 bucks a month, depending who you have, and you get HDNet, HDNet Movies, and Universal HD, something like that. It is the HD Package.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 2:07 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

damn, thats pretty cheap. well worth that.

by bdw on Nov 21, 2008 2:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s a must for an MMA fan.
Trust me!

Strikeforce event tonight and Affliction undercard in January!
K-1 GP in a couple of weeks!
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 2:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You should see if Dish Network has it in your area. I can’t imagine they don’t if I can get it in rural Missouri.

by toxic on Nov 21, 2008 2:27 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dish does offer it. So does DirectTV, Fios, Time Warner, etc.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 2:34 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have Dish Network

Here in Houston and I had HDNet all along with My HDDVR package. It wasn’t until I serched ‘MMA’ on my DVR that I found it. Inside MMA, DREAM, StrikeForce, K-1, etc…

Damn sweet and well worth it!

by xFenixKnightx on Nov 21, 2008 3:28 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Are they going to show Dynamite?

by Phildo on Nov 21, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No word yet, but it will most likely be the case.

Dynamite is not entirely being produced by FEG this year, so, I am not sure if that is why it is taking a while to clear that Up.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 2:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This can’t be right… everything I’ve read on this blog says that DREAM is all but dead.

by smoogy on Nov 21, 2008 2:25 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL!
Nope! Neither is HDNet Fights!

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 2:35 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, you’re confusing it with Affliction. =0

by cyph on Nov 21, 2008 2:41 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Dream did considerably better at their last event than the one before it. I think Dream 6 got 20,000 attendance where as Dream 5 got 11000.

That in no way means they are out of troubled waters but I think it’s a good indication that they are not in mortal danger

by Discman2 on Nov 21, 2008 3:22 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Discman

That is only because the Arenao for DREAM 5 could only hold 12K.
The arena for DREAM 6 could hold 20k.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 3:27 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And the ratings sucked ass for both events. No one here has suggested Dream is all but dead, but they are certainly troubled and need a huge event this NYE.

Folks, the IFL was sending out releases talking about their television deals a couple of months before they went under. I’m not suggesting that’s necessarily where Dream is headed, but just because they sign a new deal doesn’t mean they aren’t in hot water. And what are they supposed to do while in hot water, NOT sign television deals and compound their problem? Signing with HD Net doesn’t save them exactly, but it sure as fuck can’t hurt.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 21, 2008 4:01 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Luke DREAM is Not In Trouble

The worst that could happen is that K-1 would sell DREAM to Sengoku, which is a real possibility, but I have spoken to HDNet and FEG officials and they said they are good for next year, which is why they signed a deal with HDNet.

In reality, this deal with HDNet doesn’t mean much to DREAM or K-1, but their FW GP with Kid next year will make some noise, and the Tamura vs Sakuraba match up will really pull in some numbers.

No need to worry about K-1 NYE ratings.
Those always do well, IMO.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 4:12 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Weren’t you the guy touting the strength of EXC right before they folded…?

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Nov 21, 2008 4:52 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You just sourced an Affliction article while AJB was talking about EliteXC.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 5:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The quote I cited was: “Yet, I never doubted that that EliteXC was in trouble, yet, they are still kicking since Showtime is now trying to work something out with them.”

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like you’re talking about EliteXC.

by Richard Wade on Nov 22, 2008 12:35 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, but never am I “touting the strength of EXC right before they folded”, which is what AJB was asking. I merely stated a fact. They haven’t filed for bankruptcy and are still trying to get finance to pay off Showtime to have shows next year.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 22, 2008 5:49 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Strength? Source please.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 21, 2008 5:12 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right now, DREAM and Sengoku are well-heeled and are actually ramping up the quality of their events. With Ishii on the horizon, the “casual” Japanese fans will again have a fighter to rally behind. I think the mistake some people make is comparing their situation to that of PRIDE, when FEG has a different business model.

The industry in Japan is closer to a resurgence than some realize.

by smoogy on Nov 21, 2008 6:49 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh was it? I could have sworn Dream 5 was at Saitama Super Arena. Whatever the case, I just want to see Japanese MMA survive. I love the UFC and all but theres just something about Japanese MMA that gets me all tingly inside.

by Discman2 on Nov 21, 2008 5:18 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’m pretty sure every DREAM has been held at Saitama

by smoogy on Nov 21, 2008 6:50 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wiki says Dream 5 was in Osaka.

by Phildo on Nov 21, 2008 7:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which will be the best fight? I’ll guess Aerts vs. Hari.

by Rundownloser on Nov 21, 2008 2:26 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

YES

Aerts vs Hari is definately the best matchup in the first round. I’m expecting Bonjasky vs Hari in the finals the way both guys have been fighting.

Just to clear up Hari’s record I think you only gave his K-1 record. According to Wikipedia his kickboxing record is 67 W 54KO 7 Losses 5 KO and 1 draw. With 1 MMA bout and 1 loss.

by skwirrl on Nov 21, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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