M-1 Announces Kansas City “Breakthrough” Event, Mercilessly Bashes Don Frye

(M-1 Global initially considered putting a fake mustache on Mark Kerr and hoping that no one would notice the switch, but decided against it when they couldn't find a promotional partner to pay for half of the mustache-related expenses.)

Everyone’s favorite co-promoter M-1 Global has finally got that situation with their next event taken care of.  Though “Breakthrough” was originally scheduled to feature a fight between “King Mo” Lawal and Don Frye at the Los Angeles Convention Center, it will now feature Lawal vs. Mark Kerr at Kansas City’s Memorial Hall, according to today's press release.  

M-1 puts the blame for the mix-up on “a partner in Los Angeles who backed out of certain commitments,” because naturally it couldn’t be the fault of such a distinguished worldwide promoter.  The people at M-1 are consummate professionals, which is why their response to Frye pulling out of the event is to straight up crucify him in their press release:

"Don Frye had a signed contract with M-1 and part of that signed commitment allowed us to change the venue if needed," said [M-1 COO Joost] Raimond. "From our perspective, Don should still be in this fight. However, for reasons that we aren't exactly sure of, he has backed out. Don still has not provided us with a clear reason as to why he is refusing to fight.

"We've heard rumors that he wasn't happy with the location change but our television partner, Mo Lawal, and every other fighter scheduled for the event are satisfied with Kansas City so why isn't it good enough for Don? Don also fought just a few short months ago in Lubbock, Texas. It just doesn't make sense because the old Don Frye was willing to fight anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. Perhaps the fire is gone and he underestimated the challenge that 'King Mo' presents?"

You know, I can’t understand why the UFC didn’t want to hand over half their company to these fine gentlemen.  First they fail to even apply for a promoter’s license in the state where they wanted to promote an event, then they move the event to another part of the country less than three weeks out from the show, and when one of their fighters pulls out they attack his character like a bunch of fourteen year-old girls at a slumber party talking about the chick who just left the room.  

To replace Frye, M-1 signed Mark Kerr to face Lawal on August 28.  Though Kerr is currently on a four-fight losing streak and has only been victorious in three of his last twelve outings, there’s no reason M-1 can’t sell this as a serious, big time fight is there?

"Kerr at one time was one of the best fighters on the planet," M-1 Global Vice President of Live Events Joe Kelly said. "His fall from grace was documented publicly on the popular HBO documentary “The Smashing Machine.” A lot of people have written Mark Kerr off but if he's able to beat Lawal on national television, suddenly he becomes a hot commodity again. Mark was already in training for a fight when we contacted him and I'm not exactly sure how hard Don was training. This will actually be a tougher fight for Lawal."

If that’s not enough to get you pumped up, they’re also adding one of those fun “sparring exhibitions,” this time between Fedor Emelianenko and Gegard Mousasi. 

In short, if you’re in Kansas City that weekend and want to see Mark Kerr pretending that he’s still a fighter while Fedor and Mousasi pretend that they are fighting, M-1’s “Breakthrough” is a perfect way to spend the evening.  If that doesn’t sound like your thing, well, maybe you and Don Frye should go try on dresses together or something.