“HDNET FIGHTS: SHARK FIGHTS 17” – LIVE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ON HDNET

Posted on | July 13, 2011 | No Comments

Rosholt v. Horwich and Rodriguez v. Knothe set to collide – putting a combined twenty-three fight win streak on the line – Friday, July 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS (JULY 13, 2011) This Friday, HDNet will present “HDNet Fights: Shark Fights 17” LIVE from the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

The event is headlined by former three-time NCAA Heavyweight wrestling champion and top MMA Middleweight prospect Jake Rosholt (11-3), who is facing respected veteran Matt Horwich in a highly anticipated re-match. Horwich scored a TKO victory in their first meeting last November, handing Rosholt his only loss since departing from the UFC in 2009.

Since that bout, Rosholt has reeled off four straight, first round victories (three by submission and one by TKO), while Horwich dropped a decision to Danillo Villefort in March at “HDNet Fights: Shark Fights 14.” Rosholt is looking to run his post-UFC record to 6-1 and set up a return to the octagon by scoring a solid victory over Horwich.

This special clip from “Inside MMA” tells the story of the very unique Matt Horwich:

http://www.hd.net/programs/hdnet-fights/

In the co-main event of the evening, former UFC Heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (46-11) meets Karl Knothe (19-6) – each man putting an impressive string of victories on the line. Rodriguez is riding an eleven-fight winning streak including three by submission and four by (T)KO. Knothe enters the bout on a twelve-fight, first round winning streak dating back to 2007, including six TKOs and six submissions.

“It’s a rare opportunity when you get two heavyweights with a 23-fight win streak to step up and fight against each other,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “On top of that, Jake Rosholt needs to avenge his loss to Horwich to move back up the ladder. Shark Fights 17 is a great way for us to kick off three straight weeks of LIVE MMA on HDNet!”

Three bouts round out the LIVE card: Emanuel Newton (14-6-1) vs. Illir Latifi (4-1), Erik Perez (7-5) vs. Douglas Frey (9-6), and Daniel Almeida (6-1) vs. Doug Williams (6-12).

And don’t miss “Inside MMA,” airing just prior to “Shark Fights 17” at 9:00 p.m. ET. Kenny and Bas are joined by UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz, Chad Mendes and Pete Spratt.