If you happen to do your social networking on Facebook, heads up: HDNet Fights’ Facebook page now features a “Fight of the Week,” presented in a high-quality, wide-screen format. The latest joint (above) is a three-round gem from last year’s “Reckless Abandon” event — the rematch between Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Tim Kennedy, which contained the classic Kenny Rice line “It would look like Rob Zombie has stepped in and started directing this fight.” To keep on top of the latest HDNet Fights news and to see more fights of the week, swing by their Facebook page and become a fan.
The Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas is putting on a hybrid card of boxing and MMA on the same night, June 20th. The card is free to the public, with all 16,000 tickets for the night of fights already distributed.
"We thought this would generate some interest, but it has surpassed our expectations," Libonati said. "We think this is the first time that boxing and MMA have been offered on the same card at the same venue on the same night."
This is an interesting concept. With the gate being non-existent, I imagine they are looking to make their money back in several ways. The boxing portion of the card will be televised on ESPN's Friday Night Fights while the MMA portion is rumored to be aired on HDNet.
There is generally a decent license fee from ESPN for their show and possibly a fee from HDNet, so that should offset some costs. They should also be able to make money from some of the usual live event revenue staples, merchandising, local sponsorships, and concessions. This looks to be more of a foot in the door, leading to future cards that they can charge for. With all the sniping that has gone on between the heads of boxing and MMA, a move such as this to bring the two combat sports together is more than welcome.
Our friend and content partner Ariel Helwani at MMARated just put up a great interview with Forrest Griffin, where the Ultimate Fighter coach and light heavyweight contender reveals that he’s been eating a lot of french toast lately, popping tons of valium, he really doesn’t care about TUF, and he digs Nick Cave, but not enough to actually pay for his music.
The official UFC 85: Bedlam trailer clip, featuring Matt Hughes, Thiago Alves, Michael Bisping, Jason Day, Brandon Vera, Fabricio Werdum, Nate Marquardt, Thales Leites, Marcus Davis, and Mike Swick.
HDNet Fights’ 86-minute “Best of 2008″ video; props to MMAScraps.
And also? You’re going to want to click that “More” link…
New York — Fans unable to attend the first Adrenaline MMA event on June 14 at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., will be able to watch the event live on HDNet.
Adrenaline CEO Monte Cox has announced a deal for the Mark Cuban-owned HDNet to carry the event’s first three shows live. “We [...]
According to a report by our friends at MMAPayout.com, Monte Cox’s Adrenaline MMA is the latest fight promotion to join the HDNet Fights family.
The announcement was originally made during this week’s airing of “Inside MMA” on HDNet.
The two sides recently worked out a three-fight agreement that will apparently commence in time for Adrenaline MMA’s first-ever [...]
The Yarennoka! show by M-1 Global featuring Fedor/Choi will be aired at 6:00am EST in the United States on HDNet. I think it will be replayed later in the day, but unless you want the fights spoiled, I suggest staying away from any MMA news sites that might have the results on their front page.
Yes, it seems Mark Cuban has talked to Floyd Mayweather Jr. about possibly fighting for HDNet under MMA rules. I really, really hope this happens, and I hope he fights a legit contender and not some washed up MMA tomato can.
Personally, I think Mayweather will never fight in mixed martial arts, I believe this is just some hype to keep people talking during his break between boxing matches. Mayweather wants to keep his name in the public.
Supposedly, Mayweather and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban struck up a friendship on the “Dancing With The Stars” television show, on which they were both competitors. Mark Cuban owns HDNet and the HDNet Fights MMA organization.
Many people consider Floyd Mayweather to be the best boxer on earth right now. However, unless he does some serious training and focuses on takedown defense, I think he would get schooled hard by most MMA fighters.
In an interview with ESPN, Mark Cuban is quoted as saying “Floyd is considering fighting with HDNet Fights. We are going to let him visit some gyms to talk to some folks about what it would take to learn. He knows it won’t be easy. But he is getting involved with MMA and HDNet Fights one way or another. He is pumped about it. He wants to go on to the next big thing. Floyd is a brilliant marketer. He follows the money.”
Mark Cuban went on to say “If I said there’s a guaranteed $30 million payday, Floyd would be lacing them up, if not, I could see him working to train and develop and invest in MMA fighters, knowing the upside. He can teach them how to be a better boxer and add to their other skills.”
Leonard Ellerbe, an associate of Mayweathers said the boxer is seriously interested in transitioning to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Ellerbe is quoted as saying “When Floyd makes his move, obviously it’s going to be a mega event. We don’t have a timetable. Floyd is taking some time off, but Floyd understands what is involved. You have to take time to go out and understand what you’re getting involved in, and he’s ready to do that.”
“Floyd is about taking on challenges,” Ellerbe said. “This ain’t some kind of prank. That is one of many things we’ve talked about with Mark. Floyd would have to take time to really understand it, but it is most definitely something he is interested in.”
Mezger revealed to interviewer Ariel Helwani that the IFL and HDNet have reached an accord that includes an agreement to televise the promotion’s World Grand Prix finals on Dec. 29 along with 2008 events.
Mezger left the impression that HDNet would be the sole carrier of the IFL’s WGP finals.
However, when contacted by FiveOuncesOfPain.com (www.FiveOuncesOfPain.com), the IFL offered a position that differed from Mezger’s comments.
“We are looking at several TV and new media opportunities right now and expect to have an announcement in the next week about December 29,” IFL Senior Vice President of Communications Joe Favorito said in a statement to FiveOuncesOfPain.com. “There has been interest among several entities and we are right now evaluating which one is best for the fans, the sport and the event itself. Nothing is confirmed.”
Mezger stated during the JarryPark.com interview that an official announcement about the IFL and HDNet relationship is due to be made on Monday.
He also confirmed a story first reported this morning by FiveOuncesOfPain.com contributing writer Adam Morgan, who stated that Sean Salmon is out of a co-main event against Jason “Mayhem” Miller scheduled for HDNet Fights’ next card on Dec. 15. He will be replaced by Tim Kennedy, who holds a previous win over Miller.
Kennedy is scheduled to fight on the undercard of the IFL’s WGP finals on Dec. 29 but we have learned that his involvement on the HDNet Fights card on Dec. 15 comes with the IFL’s consent. As of now, he is still scheduled to fight on Dec. 29 but a backup plan is being devised.
Mezger’s interview is very informative and I highly recommend everyone check it out. There’s tons of great audio content on JarryPark.com, a site that I visit regularly.
FiveOuncesofPain.com (www.fiveouncesofpain.com) has learned from a source close to the situation that IFL fighter and active Army Ranger Tim Kennedy has accepted a fight against Jason “Mayhem” Miller at Mark Cuban’s HDNet Fights card on December 15th. Kennedy will be replacing Sean Salmon, who was viciously knocked out last weekend during Strikeforce’s middleweight tournament.
Kennedy is 8-1 in his mixed martial arts career with a decision victory over “Mayhem” Miller back in 2003. In addition to taking this fight with Miller, Kennedy will also be competing in the IFL World Grand Prix two weeks later on December 29th.
This is a tough fight for both guys and Kennedy is a much better opponent for Miller than Salmon would have been. This has the makings of an excellent fight.