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“I think kickboxing has a very bright future because what has happened now is something I foresaw years ago.” MMA Worldwide: How did IT’S SHOWTIME get started? Simon Rutz: IT’S SHOWTIME was founded in 1998 and after 1 year of prepara-tion we organized our first combat sports event on October 24, 1999, in Haarlem, The Netherlands. The difference between IT’S SHOWTIME and other combat sports events was clear right away. Where in the past only the fights mattered, IT’S SHOWTIME surrounded the event with a lot of glitter and glamour and entertainment was a very important factor. The name ‘IT’S SHOWTIME’ was chosen because we do not only wish to reach the hardcore fans but also a much wider target group of people who would see our events as a night out. The combination of top sport and entertainment made IT’S SHOWTIME the world’s leading kickboxing brand. While IT’S SHOWTIME started with an attendance of 4,000 people on our first event, we nowadays receive more than 20,000 people in our annual event in the Amsterdam ArenA (home stadium of football club Ajax). In the past 14 years, IT’S SHOWTIME has built up incredible knowledge when it comes to organizing combat sports events all over the world. From 1999 to 2006 we only organized 1 event per year, but the years after that; we organ-ized more events and also outside of The Netherlands. MMA Worldwide: For the fans who don't know, what's the kickboxing scene like in Europe? How popular is it over there? Simon Rutz: Kickboxing in Europe can be divided into 2 systems: Muay Thai with or without elbows and the K-1 / IT’S SHOWTIME system. Kickboxing is getting more and more popular in Europe but it still isn’t a mainstream sport. MMA Worldwide: What was it like having the IT’S SHOWTIME Reality Show in 2007? Are there any plans to bring it back in the future? Simon Rutz: The IT’S SHOWTIME reality show in 2007 was a mistake from my side. I allowed the makers to use the brand name of IT’S SHOWTIME but I didn’t attach any demands regarding the quality to our agreement. In my opinion, the end result was really amateurish and worst of all; my ugly face appeared in this reality show! After that year, I didn’t give any permission again to use the name of IT’S SHOWTIME. MMA Worldwide: You've been successful on the European Fighting Network, and in the last year, you've signed a deal with HDNet. What do you think of them as partners so far and how do you plan to match the success you've had in Europe in the United States? Simon Rutz: We are very happy with HDNet because it’s the first serious TV channel in the U.S. to buy our rights for multiple years. This is only our first step on the American market and we think there are big long-term opportuni-ties for kickboxing in the U.S. MMA Worldwide: It was rumored a few months back that you guys were going to have a show in America this year. What happened exactly, and do you have any plans for an American show in 2012? Simon Rutz: The U.S. market could be so important for our company that we are not making any hasty decisions. If we will enter the U.S. we will do it the right way and with a strong American partner. For that, I can’t give any time frame. MMA Worldwide: How many events are you guys planning over the next year? Simon Rutz: Twelve. www.mmaworldwide.com 31
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