K-1 TO BRING HERO'S TO U.S. SHORES

By Scott Petersen

Pride isn't the only Japanese promotion that is looking to make a splash in the mixed martial arts landscape in America. HERO'S, the MMA segment of K-1, is looking to bring their show over too.

When asked by MMAWeekly about bringing their event to the United States, Mr. Maeda said, "In the case of America, we have some fighters who have what you call star quality already on standby. They are ready and prepared to go into the ring."

But they are also focusing on bringing up new talent as Maeda told MMAWeekly, "What we focus upon is, as I said, raising talented, skilled fighters to a professional level and focusing at the same time upon fighters who are local." Maeda also feels that they have "a world network capacity" that will help them succeed in the U.S.

While K-1 officials did not confirm the speculation that they are planning a U.S. show for sometime in May or June, they did confirm a press conference to outline their strategy for the U.S.

K-1 HERO'S will be holding a press conference in the U.S. at the end of March where they will reveal their "plan and strategy," Mr. Tanigawa said. Tanigawa went on to say, "It's going to be a really interesting press conference that will have a lot of content to convey to you, something that will surprise Dana White as well..."