HDNet Fights and FEG Announce Exclusive Deal to Air 2008 DREAM Grand Prix on HDNet

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 28 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet Fights announced that it is partnering with FEG USA, 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 see these events on television.

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"We're thrilled to announce this blockbuster deal with FEG," 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 this Friday, May 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET with a presentation of the DREAM 1 event which originally took place on March 15.

The upcoming DREAM 2 event is set to take place on April 29 and "HDNet Fights Presents: DREAM 2" will air that event this Saturday, May 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

"HDNet Fights Presents: DREAM 3" will air LIVE on HDNet on Sunday, May 11 at 3:00 a.m. ET with two encore presentations -- one scheduled for Sunday, May 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, May 17 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Additional air dates and times for the upcoming DREAM events, 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 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 the first round of the Middleweight Tournament, 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.

About HDNet Fights

HDNet Fights (http://www.hdnetfights.com/) is one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA organizations in the country. Founded by Mark Cuban, HDNet Fights promotes, produces and airs over twenty-four live MMA events annually for broadcast on HDNet. HDNet Fights is unique as a unifying force in the MMA industry partnering with leading promoters, including DREAM, M1, Sportfight, IFL, Ring of Combat and others to offer the quality match-ups and productions that MMA fans demand.

Founded in 2007, HDNet Fights is led by CEO Andrew Simon while company operations are handled by Dallas MMA legend and former UFC champion, Guy Mezger.

HDNet (http://www.hd.net/) is the home for HDNet Fights and is the leader in offering live MMA broadcasts and the leading news and information show for MMA fans, "Inside MMA".

In addition, HDNet provides viewers with the best in original news, sports, music and entertainment programming. From "Dan Rather Reports", to championship sports coverage from the NHL, NASCAR and Major League Soccer to "Guys Night In" every Friday and the HDNet Concert Series every Sunday, HDNet offers great programming with the world's best picture quality.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager and COO Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit http://www.hd.net/.

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Source: HDNet

CONTACT: Colette Carey, Director of Media and PR of HDNet,
+1-303-542-5576, ccarey@hd.net

Web site: http://www.hd.net/
http://www.hdnetfights.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment