Dynamite!! USA - Problems and Controversies

Problems and Controversies

Pre-Fight Problems The event encountered numerous problems and controversies even before it began. FEG, Inc. (the company in charge of producing and managing K-1 events ) had difficulties obtaining a promoter's license, and was only granted a temporary one by the California State Athletic Commission eight days before the event. Popular South Korean fighter Hong-Man Choi, initially scheduled to fight Brock Lesnar, was denied a license to fight in the state roughly a week and a half before the event due to medical reasons (later reported to be a tumor on his pituitary gland). K-1 promoters continued to advertise a Lesnar vs. Choi bout up until the day of the fight, even knowing that it would not occur An originally announced women's bout featuring Jan Finney vs. Gina Carano was canceled on May 16, 2007, when Carano withdrew due to illness. Antonio Silva was also removed from the card due to an undisclosed medical condition, and was replaced by Tim "Big Perm" Persey. Finally, the announced match between Ray Sefo and Marvin Eastman was dropped from the card with no explanation given.

Attendance/Live Gate Controversy On June 7, 2007, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) announced that 42,757 tickets were distributed for the event – something promoters say validated the claim of having the largest attendance for a Mixed Martial Arts event in North America (a record previously held by UFC 68). The paid gate for the event was $2,545,590. However, the promoters of the event paid $2,342,500 of that to buy 39,083 tickets to its own event. The final verified paid attendance number for K-1 Dynamite stands at 3,674 which generated $203,090 in revenue.

Post-Fight Fighter Tim "Big Perm" Percy tested positive for methamphetamines after his fight, and was suspended by the CSAC. In addition, Johnnie Morton tested positive for anabolic steroids and Royce Gracie tested positive for Nandrolone, a commonly used anabolic steroid.