Controversial Josh Barnett Returns to MMA - DREAM 13 on HDNet Live From Japan

Controversial Josh Barnett Returns to MMA - DREAM 13 on HDNet Live From Japan

Network's LIVE coverage begins early Monday, March 22 at 3:00 a.m. ET

DALLAS, March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet will feature exclusive coverage of "HDNet Fights: DREAM 13" early Monday morning, March 22 at 3:00 a.m. ET, LIVE from the Yokohama Arena in Japan.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

MMA heavyweight "The Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett (24-5) returns to the ring for the first time since the cancellation of his fight with Fedor Emelianenko. Barnett makes his DREAM debut against K-1 veteran Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia. Barnett was widely considered one of the top heavyweights in the world prior to a conflict over a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission.

The main event of the evening features DREAM Featherweight champion Bibiano Fernandes (7-2) defending his title versus Joachim Hansen (19-8-1). Fernandes is on a six-fight win streak, while Hansen is making is featherweight debut after an epic pair of fights with DREAM Lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.

Also on the card, boxing and MMA sensation KJ Noons (7-2) squares off against Andre "Dida" Almade (6-3-1).

"Only on HDNet will you see the return of Josh Barnett and KJ Noons to MMA action," said Andrew Simon CEO of HDNet Fights. "These two were among the best in their weight classes before their hiatuses - Barnett was a top 5 Heavyweight and KJ was the last guy to stop Nick Diaz! Also, Fernandes v Hansen should be classic."

In other action, the newly belted "Super Hulk" Ikuhisa Minowa (44-30-8) returns to action versus Jimmy Ambriz. Minowa is riding a three-fight win streak, including his most recent victory versus Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

Plus: Katsunori Kikuno (12-2-2) vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka (16-6), Ryo Chonan (16-10) vs. Andrews Nakahara (2-1), and Cole Escovedo (15-4) brings a four-fight win streak into his fight with WEC and PRIDE veteran Yoshiro Maeda (26-7-2)

The announce team for the event is "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and Frank Trigg.

HDNet's live coverage of "HDNet Fights: DREAM 13" starts early morning Monday, March 22, 3:00 a.m. ET/12:00 a.m. PT. HDNet will air an encore presentation of the event on Saturday, March 27 at 11:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and provocative content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring five regular season games from the Premiere Season of the United Football League. HDNet also features the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, King of the Cage, XFC, M-1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "New York Confessions," "Deadline" and "Get Out!" HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom and Verizon FiOS.

The HDNet networks can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNet, facebook.com/HDNetFights and facebook.com/HDNetMovies and via Twitter at twitter.com/hdnet, twitter.com/hdnetfights and twitter.com/hdnetmovies.

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Source: HDNet

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

Web Site: http://www.hd.net/

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