K-1’s Dynamite USA!, the most ambitious MMA show of the year, is in serious danger of not happening. It’s a show so big, that it almost seemed doomed from the get-go. Filling the LA Coliseum, a 90,000 seat arena, is a nearly impossible task for any sports organization in the United States. However, it seems even harder for a Japanese-based MMA promotion with little exposure in this country.
Sure, they threw “star” names at us, like Royce Gracie and former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, but would it really be enough to put that many asses in the seats, and sell a pay-per-view?
That question may never be answered.
As reported by The Fight Network yesterday, “With only 10 days left till 22 fighters are supposed to step on the scales, promoters Fight Entertainment Group (FEG) have yet to be granted their requisite license by the California State Athletic Commission.”
On a positive note, The Fight Network reports that, “Pro Elite, which has been indentified as a sub-promoter for the June 2 event, holds a valid promoter’s license for three bouts under its banner [EliteXC] for the night. Those bouts have been scheduled to air on Showtime prior to the pay-per-view. The CSAC had previously stated FEG would have to apply for its own license for the remaining eight bouts.”
To make matters worse for FEG, “According to the CSAC, FEG has also failed to submit the bond necessary to cover fighters’ purses after numerous requests. Without the bond, the CSAC says the event will not take place.”
Even if the event is cleared by the CSAC, Brock Lesnar is the only fighter, as of yesterday, that has been cleared to compete on the card. That doesn’t help him much, since his opponent, Hong Man Choi, has been denied a license by the CSAC. The Wrestling Observer reports that the doctors that examined him found a medical condition that had not been disclosed. Choi was seeing another doctor today, for a second opinion, but there’s no word if a different diagnosis would change the CSAC’s minds. Late breaking news from The Wrestling Observer suggests that the medical condition discovered will need immediate attention. This will more than likely bump Lesnar from the card, as there is no way in hell they can find a suitable opponent in ten days.
In addition, lightweight Javier Vasquez will not be competing against Katsuhiko Nagata. FEG officials submitted a request for Gabe “Fat Fuck” Ruediger to take his place. However, the CSAC has already rejected him as a replacement, due to Ruediger being listed as under suspension in Nevada. It is also very likely that Ruediger is still under contract with UFC.
As for the rest of the fighters on the card, The Fight Network reports, “The CSAC says it has not received even preliminary paperwork for 19 of the 22 fighters slated to participate. This includes the 14 foreign fighters K-1 had agreed to deliver stateside beginning May 17. Kazushi Sakuraba, who faces Royce Gracie in a rematch, is scheduled to arrive in the US tomorrow. At this time, the CSAC can not confirm that any of the foreign fighters are now stateside.”
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a textbook example of a clusterf*ck. It should go without saying that FEG has made some monumental mistakes with this event. Quite frankly, it’s ridiculous. Perhaps selecting a smaller venue, and having some better planning, would’ve been a good idea. They have a little over a week to get their shit together and make this thing happen, or millions of dollars will be lost, and K-1 will look like a joke in the US.
As of now DYMNAMITE USA! is looking like the Phantom console of MMA. Let’s hope they can turn it around in the 11th hour and actually put on a show, but I’m not holding my breath.
