HDNet to Broadcast 'HDNet Fights: DREAM 15' Live

DALLAS, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- HDNet will feature LIVE coverage of "HDNet Fights: DREAM 15" from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan early morning Saturday, July 10 at 3:00 a.m. ET.  A primetime replay will follow on Friday, July 16 at 10:00 p.m. ET.

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After DREAM 14 was hailed as one of the most exciting MMA shows of the first half of 2010, all eyes now turn to DREAM 15's stacked card this Saturday.  All ideas of good sportsmanship and the revered Bushido code of respect will be thrown out when the heated rivalry between two of the world's top 5 ranked Lightweight fighters finally explodes at DREAM 15.

Submission ace Shinya Aoki defends his DREAM lightweight title against arch-nemesis Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri in a blockbuster main event that can be seen exclusively on HDNet!

"The matchups are stacked from top to bottom at DREAM 15," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights.  "With the LIVE broadcast on HDNet, DREAM 15 is a chance to prove to North America that the Japanese MMA community is still at the top of its game and features the best fighters in the world."

The showdown between Japan's two leading lightweights comes after many months of ill will between the two. Kawajiri has long demanded a showdown with Aoki, promising to knock out the submission specialist.  Aoki, who comes off a loss to Gilbert Melendez in the USA, needs to win this match to both silence Kawajiri and reaffirm his standing as one of the world's best Lightweights.

In more DREAM 15 action, former DREAM Middleweight GP champion Gegard Mousasi looks to rally back from a loss to Muhammed Lawal, as he takes part in the four-man  DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.  Mousasi takes on six-time UFC veteran Jake O'Brien, who has gone 7-3 in his last 10 bouts including wins over Heath Herring, Christian Wellisch and Dave Hess.

On the other side of the DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix draw, Holland's Melvin Manhoef, who boasts 23 KO's in his 24 MMA career victories, takes on tough Tatsuya Mizuno.

Also on the card, brilliant Brazilian JZ Cavalcante returns to action for the first time in more than a year when he takes on Katsunori Kikuno. Cavalcante, a former two-time Hero's Middleweight Champion looks to put injuries and inactivity behind him as he takes on the masterful DEEP champion Kikuno.

In another highly-anticipated match, M-1 star Karl Amoussou makes his DREAM debut against Kazuhiro Nakamura, who retired the great Hidehiko Yoshida in his last fight. Amoussou is a ferocious talent who has stopped opponents in 11 of his 12 career wins.  

And, for a special treat, Sengoku star Michihiro Omigawa makes his DREAM debut against Young Sam Jung of Korea.

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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 2010.  

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SOURCE HDNet