HDNET FIGHTS AND FEG ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE DEAL TO AIR 2008 DREAM GRAND PRIX ON HDNET
Six-fight deal makes HDNet THE television destination for Mixed Martial Arts
DALLAS (April xx, 2008) – HDNet Fights announced today that it is partnering with FEG, Inc. to present the 2008 DREAM Lightweight and Middleweight Grand Prix. This long-anticipated announcement makes HDNet the exclusive destination in North America for passionate MMA fans who can’t wait to these events on television.
“We're thrilled to announce this blockbuster deal with FEG today," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. "MMA fans have been emailing and posting on message boards non-stop, wanting to see the DREAM Grand Prix. Once again, HDNet is THE place to go to catch all of the action. This latest deal continues our commitment to making HDNet the “Home of MMA” with more MMA events than any other television network.”
"We are excited about working with HDNet, which gives us this opportunity to broadcast our DREAM show in North America,” said Sadaharu Tanikawa, President of FEG USA, Inc. “We expect a long and a prosperous relationship with HDNet bringing our quality shows to their viewers."
“HDNet Fights Presents: DREAM 1” will debut with a presentation of the DREAM 1 event which originally took place on March 15. HDNet will air this event on Friday, May 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
The upcoming DREAM 2 event is set to take place on April 29 and “HDNet Fights Presents: Dream 2” will air on HDNet on Saturday, May 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Additional air dates for the upcoming DREAM events, including the possibility for some live coverage will be announced at a later date.
DREAM 1, the debut of this new mixed martial arts promotion from Japan, featured fights including the long-awaited return of Heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic to Japan, Hayato Sakurai fighting as a Welterweight, as well as the opening round of the 16-man Lightweight Grand Prix tournament. The first round is highlighted by a match-up of Top 10 fighters Gesias “JZ” Calvancanti vs. Shinya Aoki, plus fights from other top Lightweights Tatsuya Kawajiri, Mitsuhiro Ishida and Joachim Hansen.
Scheduled for DREAM 2, is a first round highlighted by a match-up of Top 10 fighter Denis Kang vs. rising star Gegard Mousasi, plus fights from other top Middleweights including Ronaldo Souza and MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba.
Also scheduled for DREAM 2, Gesias “JZ” Calvancante will square off once again with Shinya Aoki to settle the score after their controversial bout in DREAM 1. The winner claims a spot in the second round of the Lightweight Grand Prix.
