HDNet signs new deal with K-1

HDNet Fights announced Friday that it is partnering with FEG USA, Inc. to bring the K-1 World Grand Prix and K-1 World MAX tournaments to HDNet. K-1 is a 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 Dec. 6 at 3 a.m. ET with live coverage of the biggest K-1 show of the year, the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Final. The event will be repeated later that evening at 9 p.m. ET. K-1 stages regional qualifiers throughout the year, which culminate in the K-1 Grand Prix, an annual one-night, eight-man tournament.

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

--Errol Zimmerman (5-0 w 5 KOs, Holland) vs. Ewerton Teixeira (5-0 w 5 KOs, Brazil)

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

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

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