DALLAS (December 28, 20010) The world’s largest annual fighting festival, Dynamite!!, will be broadcast on HDNet early morning this New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2010 at 4AM ET. “HDNet Fights: Dynamite!!” includes more than 15 fights including Mixed Martial Arts, K-1 and Special Rules matches.
Established in 2002 as a joint promotion between K-1 and PRIDE, the annual “Dynamite!!” New Year’s Eve show has attracted a cumulative live audience of over 400,000 spectators. The 2009 event, the first broadcast on HDNet, attracted 45,606 to the Saitama Super Arena, which is set to host this year’s blockbuster edition.
“Dynamite!! is a fighting festival that’s all about having fun and celebrating the New Year as a fight fan,” said HDNet commentator Michael Schiavello, who has been the voice of Dynamite!! since 2006. “From the wacky entrances to the crazy entertainment and the amazing fights under various rule sets, Dynamite!! is like Cirque du Soleil mixed with a rock concert under the guise of an electrifying fight night like no other.”
From world title fights to the off-the-wall match-ups that only Dynamite!! could host, this annual event has delivered unforgettable past matches such as Cro Cop vs Sakuraba; Akebono vs Royce Gracie; Masato vs Kid Yamamoto; Don Frye vs Jerome LeBanner; and Bob Sapp vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
The 2010 edition continues tradition with more than fifteen fights including a”special rules” match between MMA superstar Shinya Aoki and cross-dressing K-1 striker Jienotsu Nagashima – in which they will fight alternating rounds under MMA rules and K-1 rules.
Also on the card, recently crowned K-1 Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem is rumored to face former UFC star Todd Duffee; MMA star Gegard Mousasi takes on K-1 Heavyweight champion Kyotaro in a K-1 kickboxing match; living legend Kazushi Sakuraba challenges defending champion Marius Zaromskis for the DREAM Welterweight title; fan favorite Minowaman takes on Judo Olympicmedalist Hiroshi Izumi; and DREAM star Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri fights Strikeforce star Josh “The Punk” Thompson.
“Dynamite!! has become one of the great MMA traditions for the sport and for HDNet viewers,” said HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon. “We are proud to broadcast Japanese MMA’s greatest spectacle to our dedicated insomniacs!”
“HDNet Fights: Dynamite!!” airs on HDNet on December 31 at 4:00 am ET/1:00 am PT.