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EA keeping 'a very close eye on' mixed martial arts
Speaking to IGN, expert Rock Band player, tattoo connoisseur and EA head honcho Peter Moore intimated that he'd like to see his company tackle mixed martial arts. While he stated that the company is "incredibly excited" about Fight Night -- presumably Round 4 -- he believes that boxing is "the past of fighting" and mixed martial arts is "the future." Before we get the guy in charge of negotiating UFC license fees too excited, we should note that Moore didn't mention any specific plans regarding the sport, only stating "when we look at where people's attention is going, that's something we keep a very close eye on."Beyond that, THQ currently holds the rights to UFC games until 2011. That said, EA is not shy about acquiring licenses and THQ is in no shape for a bidding war. UFC licensing guy waits with bated breath.
HDNet Fights signs up with Ring of Honor wrestling
We're not so sure that we like the direction this might be headed in, but HDNet Fights has signed up with Ring Honor of Wrestling for content, including a weekly series. The professional wrestling promotion was founded in 2002, and with its Code of Honor rules, it was a step away from typical professional wrestling and towards pure catch wrestling, but it's professional wrestling still. We had hoped that HDNet Fights was going to establish itself as a smaller, but still viable alternative to UFC, but this move suggests otherwise. We know HDNet Fights needs to add content, but is there enough audience overlap between professional wrestling and other fight sports that this makes sense? MMA fans, let us know what you think -- does this move water down the brand?
Pacquiao vs. de la Hoya bout marks the launch of Event TV HD
While you and your crew kick in a few bucks to catch the Pacquiao / de la Hoya fight tonight, keep in mind you're witnessing the launch of a new network, Event TV HD. The new high definition version of TVN's linear Pay-Per-View net promises to bring boxing, MMA and wrestling action in crisp 1080i and 5.1 surround. That usually includes All Day Event tickets if you want to see a replay, or themed programs during the week. TVN sells its package to cable, satellite and other providers who then pass the PPV on to you, so when Pacman takes this, remember who was responsible for bringing it to you.[Via Multichannel News]
HDNet to get Adrenaline boost
Rack up another collaboration for the MMA-centric HDNet Fights brand. The topsy turvy world of MMA has seen lots of M&A activity over the past year, which fits pretty well with HDNet Fights' come-one-come-all partnership attitude. Adrenaline MMA, formerly under the M-1 Global banner, will be bringing its first three cards to HDNet. The first event will be in Chicago on June 14, with a second show on September 6. Disappointingly, this agreement comes too late for those hoping to see top-ranked Fedor Emelianenko come to HDNet, as he split with M-1 before the restructuring; so any Emelianenko vs. Silvia matchup will have to be a cross-promotion. But like we said, it just might be possible in the "anything goes" operations of HDNet Fights.
The Ultimate Fighter 7 finale hits HD for the first time June 21
Following other MMA action, WWE and boxing to HD, The Ultimate Fighter 7 will broadcast its finale in high definition on Spike HD June 21. The three hour event kicks off at 9 p.m., featuring a main event of Evan Tanner vs. Kendall Grove, as well as the middleweight tournament finals from the show's latest season and other bouts. Broadcasting live from Las Vegas, we don't know if they'll be sharing camera equipment with The View, due in town the same week, but we figure the winner should stop by the couch to have a chat with Babs & Co. afterwards.
HDNet Fights looks to score KO with DREAM fights
Fledgling MMA player HDNet fights has signed up with an even fresher face in the MMA game, DREAM, to air six DREAM Japanese fight cards here in the US. The DREAM organization kicked things off in Japan on March 15, but don't confuse its newcomer status with a lack of experience; the organization looks an awful lot like K-1 HERO'S combined with the now-defunct PRIDE, right down to several of the fighters and staff (and apparently, an affinity for all caps). From the sound of things, DREAM is having a hard time getting off the ground in its home of Japan, so we're pretty sure HDNet was able to pick up the deal under some pretty favorable terms. Could HDNet Fights' take-all-comers approach get us some HD competition for the UFC over here? We certainly hope so.
Kim Couture's debut to air on HDNet Fights
Sure, there's been plenty of WWE talk 'round these parts lately, but we're making sure MMA fanatics aren't left in the cold, either. Later this month, HDNet Fights will exclusively air the debut of Kim Couture, who, if you couldn't surmise, is the wife of famed MMA legend Randy "The Natural" Couture. The event is slated to take place at the Xtreme Couture Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 29th directly after the network's LIVE IFL event. If that just seems too far away, feel free to catch Mrs. Couture (and her hubby) on Inside MMA this Friday at 9:30PM (also on HDNet).[Image courtesy of NBC Sports]
HDNet Fights teams up with IFL, M-1 for New Year's Eve
HDNet Fights, the fledgling MMA company under Mark Cuban's HDNet (duh) has announced a couple of partnerships that should get its programming off to a great start for 2008. First, HDNet Fights will be broadcasting the International Fight League's World Grand Prix Finals on December 29, bringing the IFL its first HD broadcast. A few days later, the company will be kicking off a four-event contract with M-1 fighter, top-ranked Fedor Emelianenko (pictured). This event will take place on New Year's Eve and will mark the beginning of a planned 24 fight cards for HDNet Fights in 2008. No doubt, UFC is the big player in MMA, but with its open-door policy to working with other fight leagues, HDNet is coming out swinging!
K-1 World GP: Great concept, boxart
We're not too familiar with K-1 or other mixed martial arts organizations, but we recognize a clever cover when we see it! K1-World Grand Prix's packaging design mimics the plastic runners that often accompany scale model kits; both the boxart and the game's subtitle, "Let's Produce a Great Champion," reference K-1 World GP's premise of training a kickboxer to build up his stats before a match.The simulation portions are played out with 2D minigames and menus, whereas the actual combat is all 3D. You can check out a few screenshots of both segments past the break. Publisher D3P is scheduled to ship out K1-World Grand Prix to Japanese stores this week. Plans for a US release have yet to be announced.
