“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

DALLAS -- March 10, 2011 -- 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.

Lucas Lopes (19-11) vs. Mike Bronzouliz (10-2), Alex Cisne (5-1) vs. Eric Davila (18-10), and Sean Shakour (3-0) vs. Joseph Sandoval (4-0) rounds out the main card.

"I am excited to introduce ‘Shark Fights’ to HDNet fans,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “Everyone knows that we broadcast the best action from Asia and Europe, so it was time to bring in some great, live US fights on Friday night."

The event is part of five hours of original MMA programming on HDNet this Friday night including:

* ”HDNet Fights Vault” at 8:00 p.m. ET – featuring “Sengoku 9 Featherweight GP Final”

* ”Fighting Words with Mike Straka” at 8:30 p.m. ET – featuring the UFC’s ring girls

* ”Inside MMA” at 9:00 p.m. ET – featuring Rich Franklin, Tim Kennedy, and Thomas Denny

* ”HDNet Fights: Shark Fights 14” LIVE at 10:00 p.m. ET

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking 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 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 2011.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring 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, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC 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, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features live coverage of regular season games from the second season of the United Football League.

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 Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Nickelback and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Girls Gone Wild," "Deadline" and "Get Out!"

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 in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, and Verizon FiOS and in Canada via Access Communications, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct.

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.

Source: HDNet