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Friday, November 21, 2008

HDNET FIGHTS ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH FEG USA, INC. FOR RIGHTS TO AIR K-1 EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA

Courtesy of HDNet:

Deal brings the world famous combat sport, K-1 exclusively to HDNet in 2009

DALLAS, Nov 21, 2008 -- HDNet Fights announced today that it is partnering with FEG USA, Inc. to bring the extremely popular K-1 World Grand Prix and K-1 World MAX tournaments to HDNet. K-1 is an electrifying form of kickboxing that combines techniques from various martial arts disciplines. HDNet will be the exclusive home of K-1 in North America.

"K-1 is one of the most popular and exciting combat sports in the world and we're proud to present it on HDNet," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. "If you are a fan of DREAM, you are going to love the explosive non-stop, stand-up action of K-1 and K-1 MAX."

"K-1 features the best stand-up fighters in the world and draws enormous crowds everywhere," said Mike Kogan of FEG USA, Inc. "We are very excited to have HDNet bring the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final, 2009 K-1 World Grand Prix and 2009 K-1 World MAX tournaments to North American viewers."

HDNet's coverage kicks off December 6 at 12:00 a.m. PT with LIVE coverage of the biggest show of the year, the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final. The event will be repeated later that evening at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. K-1 stages regional qualifiers throughout the year, which culminate in the K-1 Grand Prix, an annual one-night, 8-man tournament to determine the best stand-up fighter in the world.

The 2008 World Grand Prix Final on HDNet will feature the following tournament match-ups, which will lead to the crowning of the 2008 Grand Prix Champion:

3-time Grand Prix Champion and K-1 Legend Peter Aerts (62-21 w/ 28Kos, Holland) vs K-1 Heavyweight Champion Badr Hari (11-3 w/ 10Kos, Morocco)

Errol Zimmerman (5-0 w 5Kos, Holland), Ewerton Teixeira (5-0 w 5Kos, Brazil)

Gokhan Saki (7-1 w 4Kos, Turkey), Ruslan Karaev (11-6 w 6Kos, Russia)

2-time Grand Prix Champion Remy Bonjasky (33-8 w 15Kos, Holland), and Jerome Le Banner (43-16-2 w 29Kos, France).

(The participating fighters may change due to injuries or their physical condition).

The deal encompasses six events from the 2009 K-1 tournament and six events from the 2009 K-1 MAX tournament.

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 Affliction, DREAM, StrikeForce(TM), M1, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC, Adrenaline 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 the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," to championship sports coverage from NASCAR and Major League Soccer to "Guys Night In" every Thursday 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, Comcast, 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.