In an effort to bring more MMA to the American audience, HDNet has been putting on some great events. Some are the smaller name events that you rarely hear of while others are the bigger named events from Japan and all across the fighting world. However, the one event that they should have capitalized on has fallen to the wayside for them. They will not be covering Dynamite!! 2008 this year which is a big letdown not only in my eyes but in the eyes of a lot of people in the MMA community. I understand that there are seventeen (17) bouts that evening, but the fact remains that HDNet has covered live events from Japan that have lasted over an astonishing six hours. I've stayed up through the night to watch all of them, seeing some of the best MMA. Yes, even better than the UFC.

Think of the fighters (and fights) that we in America are going to miss out on because HDNet did not retain the rights to broadcast this live. We're going to miss out on the Hansen/Calvancate rematch from a highly entertaining (and controversial) fight from three-and-a-half years ago. We're going to miss out on the Alvarez/Aoki fight that should have taken place in the Finals of the Lightweight Grand Prix in DREAM. We're going to miss out on such guys as Gegard Mousasi, Cro Cop, Sakuraba, Overeem, and a host of other great and well-known fighters.

As most know, HDNet signed an exclusive deal with K-1 back in November to broadcast K-1 shows on HDNet. This is not a K-1 card although there are K-1 fights. That isn't the problem for me. The problem is that HDNet has gone to Japan without there being K-1 fights and still broadcast them live and free on HDNet. Well, what's the change now? Is it the contract that was recently signed or is it the fact that the show might run on for eight hours and make it difficult to keep peaked interest in the event and telecast? Either way, it's something that has me irked to high heaven.

Things could eventually change. The higher-ups at HDNet could work out some last minute deal with the organization and actually broadcast this event live but the fact that they haven't done so already is something that truly bothers me not only as a fan of Mixed Martial Arts but a fan of television overall. When you promise something, to bring North America the best in Mixed Martial Arts outside of North America, I think you should hold up to your end of the bargain. I'm not talking about going to the slums of Kolkata and broadcasting live from there. I'm talking about going to a hotbed for MMA (Japan) and broadcasting live from a place you have done so numerous times.

What has suddenly changed? Is it the economy? Highly doubtful. I just think HDNet needs to step up and get this done. Live up to your promise.