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European powerhouses MAX & G4 announce landmark deal
By Mark Pickering | June 30, 2007
MAX Entertainment Holdings Inc, parent company of German mixed martial arts powerhouse MAX, has announced a partnership with fledgling promotional team G4 productions in the latest assault on the much sought-after European market.
Despite operating firmly under the mainstream radar MAX [Martial Arts X-treme] became a household name in their native Germany last year after earning acclaim for their reality TV show, MAX Fighters, on DSF, one of the countries premier sports networks.
Their European colleagues in G4 Productions are MMA stalwarts Martijn de Jong (Ultimate Glory), Patrick Mooney (Cage Wars), Marko Leisten (FinnFight) and Augusto Frota (Shooto Switzerland).
The foursome of leading European promoters have been at the forefront of the scene for over a decade and as a signal of intent their landmark deal with MAX comes only a week after the G4 alliance was formed.
G4 Productions will now exclusively produce live events for MAX and join forces to run events throughout Europe under the MAX brand name. According to officials from the German promotion these events will match the best efforts of MMA organisations in Japan and America.
“We recognized the potential in the G4’s group right away, and it fit perfectly into the model we had started to create,” said MAX CEO Daniel Kilian. “It is not often that a group with this much experience is available to commit to something like this.” “G4 and MAX were made for each other and the timing is perfect”.
Ultimate Glory representative Martin De Jong, one of the most recognisable figures in G4’s field of mixed martial arts visionaries, echoed the words of his European counterpart: “MAX has the same vision for MMA as we do and we are very excited at the opportunity this has given us; again it is all about timing and we look forward to a long and productive relationship and making MAX a world-famous brand.”
Topics: Mark Pickering, Media, MMA | 11 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
And even combined, they still can’t compete with an American Company (Zuffa) in their own markets.
It’s unfortunate that they chose the name G4Productions. There are at least three other entities operating under that name or similar names in the US, so it’s pretty confusing trying to find information about them.
I heard in Germany, MMA referees do not start each match with the customary, “let’s get it on!” Preferring to begin each with their own catch phrase, “let the Schadenfreude begin!”
I would also be wary of this G4 Productions partnership, because it’s only a matter of time before they invade Poland’s budding MMA scene.
^ rimshot.
“^ rimshot.”
No, really. Lots of Germans are involved in Poland’s MMA scene already.
Breen, I caught the radio show this week. Good job eh.
How ironic is this, who cares about the stupid NBA draft (they knew who would be #1/#2) now on the front page is Chris Benoit after DAYS of the subject and facts.
Yes it’s WWE, and yes, it will tie into “ultimate fighting” or as we say MMA, because it’s a new sport and fans of WWE tie into the UFC show, and that’s not debatable.
Poland’s budding MMA scene. DAAAANK!
Oh Snap! You mean that crappy, poppy, post TechTV channel is getting into MMA?
*G* Maybe that will help their already pitiful line-up… *rolls eyes*
Yes it’s WWE, and yes, it will tie into “ultimate fighting” or as we say MMA, because it’s a new sport and fans of WWE tie into the UFC show, and that’s not debatable.
Ugh. Smarks need to keep to wrestling. When will people learn that no one in the US media thinks Takada and Maeda when they think MMA? Not one person has made the connection and probably never will. Hell, remember when Raw and UFC Fight Night ran against each other and they both did strong ratings? The Nielsens must be lying.
Hello webmaster…Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts..what a nice Wednesday