Championship Kickboxing Comes to HDNet This May With “It’s Showtime”
Network Announces Multi-Year Deal with Europe’s Premiere Kickboxing Promotion
HDNet announced a long term deal with “It’s Showtime,” Europe’s leading kickboxing promotion provided by Fighting Spirit, the international fight sport programming distributor. “It’s Showtime” will make its HDNet debut with “HDNet Fights: It’s Showtime Lyon” on Friday, May 20 at 11:00 p.m. ET – immediately following the network’s broadcast of “The Voice vs. Hulk Hogan.”
In the main event of the evening, Badr Hari makes his much anticipated return to the ring against Tony Gregory. Plus, Tyrone Spong and K-1 MAX Champion Giorgio Petrosyan will also be in action.
Founded in 1998, “It’s Showtime” is known for attracting the biggest names in kickboxing and drawing some of the largest crowds in combat sports – regularly packing over 20,000 fans inside the Amsterdam Arena.
In 2011, the promotion will present ten events for HDNet from venues across Europe including the recently announced, “It’s Showtime- Fast & Furious 70 Max” grand prix on September 24 in the Forest National in Brussels, Belgium. Elite 70kg fighters participating in this prestigious one night tournament include Giorgio Petrosyan, Andy Souwer, Artur Kyshenko, Gago Drago, Murat Direkçi, Chris Ngimbi, Harut Grigorian and Pajunsuk Superpro Samui. Read more
Special Edition of HDNet’s Inside MMA to Provide Comprehensive Coverage of UFC’s Purchase of Strikeforce
Exclusive Interviews with Dana White and Scott Coker – This Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET
This week’s announcement that Forza, LLC, a subsidiary of Zuffa, LLC (which owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand) purchased Strikeforce has stunned the mixed martial arts community. The move is arguably the most significant development in the sport since Zuffa’s acquisition of PRIDE in 2008, and solidifies Zuffa’s position as the largest MMA company in the world.
This week’s “Inside MMA” covers all the angles on this major breaking news story, including interviews with all the principals involved in the deal.
First, Mike Straka talks to UFC President Dana White about the acquisition and what it means for the sport then Bas Rutten and Strikeforce President Scott Coker discuss how the deal came together and where the promotion will go from here.
Also, Ron Kruck takes a look back at the two organizations and gathers reaction from the fighters about what this consolidation will mean for them.
“Inside MMA” is committed to giving viewers more insight into the top stories than any other outlet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “Bas’ exclusive interview with Scott Coker goes deeper than anything you have seen so far. You’ve read the headlines and heard the sound bites, now tune in this Friday to go inside the story and find out what it means for the fighters, fans and the sport.”
“Inside MMA” airs this Friday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on HDNet.
And, HDNet will post a special ONLINE ONLY edition of “Inside MMA” which will be available at http://www.hd.net/blogs/2011/03/inside-mma-511/ immediately following the telecast. Dominick Cruz, Phil Baroni, and Trevor Whitman will join Kenny and Bas to breakdown UFC 128, plus Ron Kruck has comments from Jon Jones and Shogun Rua.
HDNet Fights: Shark Fights 14 Debuts LIVE This Friday on HDNet
Horwich vs. Villefort and Damm vs. LaRosa Headline Event – Friday at 10:00 p.m. ET
HDNet, “Your Home for MMA” presents more LIVE events than any other network, and this Friday is no exception as “Shark Fights” makes its debut on the network presenting a solid card from top to bottom.
In the main event of the evening middleweight contender Danillo Villefort (12-3) meets UFC veteran and former IFL Middleweight Champion Matt Horwich (26-17-1). Villefort is riding a three fight winning streak with two (T)KOs during that stretch. Horwich is coming off a victory over Jake Rosholt.
Two of the top ranked women fighters in the world take center stage in the co-main event. The bout between Tara LaRosa (19-2) and Carina Damm (15-5) has literally been years in the making. The rivalry dates back to their time in Bodog Fights three years ago and the bad blood has continued ever since. Damm believes she was disrespected by LaRosa in the past and she is anxious for the chance to finally settle their differences in the cage. Read more
UFC 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS Generates Largest Single-Day Event Gate in Rogers Centre History
55,000 Tickets Sold for Historic UFC Stadium Event
The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that tickets for UFC 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS at Rogers Centre in Toronto on April 30 sold out minutes after being made available to the public. Rogers Centre was originally configured for 42,000 seats, but due to overwhelming demand, UFC and Rogers Centre officials reconfigured the venue to accommodate 55,000.
UFC 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS, which is presented by TapouT, is the first major mixed martial arts event to ever be held in Ontario. The event doubles the largest gate and attendance records in UFC history. The previous gate record for a UFC event was $5.4 million, which was set on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2. UFC 124: ST-PIERRE vs. KOSCHECK 2, held at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Dec. 11, 2010, previously held the attendance record with over 23,000 fans.
With two UFC records already shattered, UFC 129 is also the largest single-day event gate in the history of Rogers Centre, which has played home to some of the world’s top entertainment and sporting events. Read more
UFC Fans Vote Miguel Angel Torres as the 18th Recipient of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award
The 18th recipient of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award is bantamweight fighter Miguel Angel Torres . Miguel is known for his strong will, competitive nature and loyalty to mixed martial arts.
Tequila CAZADORES and UFC invited fans (21+) to decide the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award winner for UFC 123. Consumers had the opportunity to vote online at UFC.com for the fighter they thought demonstrated social responsibility, dedication to their art form, and good sportsmanship; the core values behind the Tequila CAZADORES brand and its sponsorship with UFC.
Miguel’s win was announced LIVE on February 5, 2011 , at UFC 126 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as on Pay-Per-View during the fighter’s walk out to the Octagon™. Tequila CAZADORES congratulates Miguel on his win and would like to thank the increasingly growing number of fans for voting and supporting the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award.
A graduate of Purdue University, Miguel Angel Torres has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and specializes in Muay Thai Kick Boxing. Prior to his career in Mixed Martial Arts, he worked as a Radiologist’s assistant for five years. His experience working in a hospital setting inspired Miguel to raise awareness for breast cancer. As the winner of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award, Tequila CAZADORES presented Miguel with a plaque and a check for a $1,000 donation made in his name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Read more