Hero's
TypeDefunct
IndustryMixed martial arts promotion
Headquarters
Japan
ParentFighting and Entertainment Group

Hero's was a Japanese mixed martial arts promotion operated by Fighting and Entertainment Group, the parent entity behind kickboxing organization K-1. Grown from and branched off of K-1's earlier experiments in MMA, including the K-1 Romanex event and various MMA fights on its regular K-1 kickboxing cards, it held its first show on March 26, 2005. The promotion was handled by former Rings head Akira Maeda. At a press conference on February 13, 2008, FEG announced that they discontinued Hero's and were creating a new mixed martial arts franchise, Dream, in collaboration with former Pride FC executives from Dream Stage Entertainment.

History

Although not as popular worldwide as the Ultimate Fighting Championship or the now defunct Pride Fighting Championships, Hero's was very recognizable in the Japanese mixed martial arts scene, thanks in large part to the visibility and resources of FEG and K-1. Hero's events were sometimes co-sponsored and broadcast on the TBS national television network in Japan.[1] In contrast to PRIDE and the UFC, Hero's promoted only three weight classes: middleweight (-70 kg/-154 lbs), light heavyweight (-85 kg/-187 lbs) and heavyweight (+85 kg/+187 lbs)

United States

On March 27, 2007, FEG (the Fighting Entertainment Group) held a press conference at the Los Angeles Coliseum to announce their first US event which was to be held on June 2, 2007. The show, named K-1 Dynamite!! USA, was a joint operated venture with the newly formed Elite XC, British MMA organization Cage Rage, BoDog Fight and the Korean-based Spirit MC. The show was broken down into two parts, with the first part (made up of three fights) being aired for free Showtime and the second part on pay-per-view.

Reformation into Dream

At a press conference on February 13, 2008, FEG announced that they discontinued Hero's and were creating a new mixed martial arts franchise, Dream, in collaboration with former Pride FC executives from Dream Stage Entertainment. In addition to established Hero's stars, (such as Calvancante, Akiyama, and Yamamoto) many other top fighters from around the world (such as Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović and Shinya Aoki) joined the new promotion.

Notable fighters

Many notable mixed martial artists competed in Hero's, including:

Hero's Grand Prix Champions

YearWeight classChampionRunner-up
2005Middleweight (75 kg (165.3 lb))Japan Norifumi YamamotoJapan Genki Sudo
2006Light heavyweight (90 kg (198.4 lb))Japan Yoshihiro AkiyamaNetherlands Melvin Manhoef
2006Middleweight (75 kg (165.3 lb))Brazil Gesias CalvancanteJapan Caol Uno
2007Middleweight (75 kg (165.3 lb))Brazil Gesias CalvancanteBrazil André Amado

Events

Event Date Location Venue Attendance
Hero's 1[2] March 26, 2005 Japan Saitama, Japan Saitama Super Arena 13,000
Hero's 2 July 6, 2005 Japan Tokyo, Japan Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Hero's 3 September 7, 2005 Japan Tokyo, Japan Ariake Coliseum
Hero's 2005 in Seoul November 5, 2005 South Korea Seoul, South Korea Olympic Gymnastics Arena 7,460
Hero's Lithuania 2005 November 26, 2005 Lithuania Vilnius, Lithuania Siemens Arena
K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!! December 31, 2005 Japan Osaka, Japan Osaka Dome 53,025
Hero's 4 March 15, 2006 Japan Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan
Hero's 5 May 3, 2006 Japan Tokyo, Japan Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Hero's 6 August 5, 2006 Japan Tokyo, Japan Ariake Coliseum
Hero's 7 October 9, 2006 Japan Yokohama, Japan Yokohama Arena
Hero's Lithuania 2006 November 11, 2006 Lithuania Vilnius, Lithuania Siemens Arena
K-1 PREMIUM 2006 Dynamite!! December 31, 2006 Japan Osaka, Japan Osaka Dome 51,930
Hero's 8 March 12, 2007 Japan Nagoya, Japan Nippon Gaishi Hall
Dynamite!! USA June 2, 2007 United States Los Angeles, California, USA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 18,340
Hero's 9: Middleweight Tournament Opening Round July 16, 2007 Japan Yokohama, Japan Yokohama Arena
Hero's 10: Middleweight Tournament Final September 17, 2007 Japan Yokohama, Japan Yokohama Arena
Hero's 2007 in Korea October 28, 2007 South Korea Seoul, South Korea Jangchung Gymnasium
Hero's Lithuania 2007 November 10, 2007 Lithuania Vilnius, Lithuania Siemens Arena
K-1 PREMIUM 2007 Dynamite!! December 31, 2007 Japan Osaka, Japan Osaka Dome 47,928

Event locations

* Total event number: 19

Tokyo – 5
Yokohama – 3
Osaka – 3
Nagoya – 1
Saitama – 1
Vilnius – 3
Seoul – 2
Los Angeles, California – 1

References

  1. ↑ "TBS mata fushōji". J-Cast News. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Takagi, Hiromi (1 March 2005). "3-26 Saitama 'Hero's' kaisai kettei". SportsNavi. Yahoo. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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