FREE STYLE, MMA MEDIA RELEASE

  
 

Live MMA Comes to the Palace!

Donofrio Entertainment presents "2 COUNTRIES 1 CAGE"

Saturday, April 26, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan
 

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On Saturday, April 26 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Donofrio Entertainment will proudly present "2 Countries 1 Cage" a mixed martial arts extravaganza featuring some of the best new MMA fighters from The United States and Canada.

 

"I'm a die-hard boxing fan, but I see a void for mixed martial arts done in a professional way in Michigan. This show will have a real cage, not a boxing ring; 20 well-matched bouts; 100 foot ramps are being constructed for grand entrances; there is a limited number of exclusive VIP ringside table seating available; and the Motor City Female Dance Group will perform, they are the Midwest's best choreographed troupe. It's going to be fantastic."

 

Known for staging top-quality boxing events in the Detroit area's largest venues, Donofrio says although boxing comes first, combat sports of all kinds have always been a passion. "I want to make Michigan the place to go for top-level MMA competitions and '2 Countries 1 Cage' is going to be a great start! The popularity of MMA has been on the rise over the past several years."

 

Tickets are available at the Palace Box Office, Palacenet.com, Ticketmaster online here, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 248.645.6666.

 

VIP Reserved Cage Side Tables available at 248.770.6000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

Photos: TOM CASINO/EliteXC
 
Tank Abbott works out at the Paradise Gym in Coral Gables, Fla., Wednesday night as he winds down preparation for his gigantic, long-awaited, must-see fight against Kimbo Slice Saturday at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
 
Tickets for a spectacular 11-bout event, presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s EliteXC, start at $35 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami. Doors open at 7 p.m. ET; the first fight is 7:30.
 
SHOWTIME will televise five fights including the eagerly anticipated Kimbo-Tank confrontation live at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast), while six non-televised undercard matches will be streamed live on the leading MMA internet site, ProElite.com.

 

 

FEATURING LEGENDARY KIMBO SLICE VS. TANK ABBOTT

 

 

Spectacular MMA Event Saturday, Feb. 16, At BankUnited Center at the University of Miami Also Will Include Local Favorites “Krazy Horse’’ Bennett, “Big Foot’’ Silva & Edson Berto

 

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9, 2008) -- Fans seeking to participate in perhaps the biggest, most significant fight card in the history of mixed martial arts in Florida will have the opportunity to reserve their spots beginning this Friday, Jan. 11, when tickets to EliteXC’s tremendous mega-event on Saturday, Feb. 16, will go on sale.

 

Tickets for a spectacular 10-bout event start at $35 and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BankUnited Box Office at the University of Miami.

 

In a long-awaited, much-anticipated grudge match that figures to be an absolute slugfest, the incredibly popular pride of Perrine, Fla., and hometown hero, Kimbo Slice, will face David “Tank’’ Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., in the main event on SHOWTIME.

 

 It will be the second professional MMA fight for Kimbo, the legendary Internet street fighter and YouTube sensation who scored a smashing 19-second, first-round knockout in his Street-to-Elite debut.

 

“With these hands I can part the sea. With these hands I feed the family,’’ Kimbo said.

 

Tank, of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a feared knockout artist and notorious bad boy and trash-talker. A veteran who has never turned down a fight, Tank has called out Kimbo on numerous occasions, including after Kimbo’s EliteXC and MMA debut in November. Tank is supremely confident he will send home Kimbo and his fans unhappy.

 

Besides Kimbo, The Sunshine State will be represented with other local favorites and MMA standouts -- Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva, Charles “Krazy Horse’’ Bennett and Edson Berto.

 

 The promising Silva, a Brazilian who lives in Coconut Creek, Fla., is considered by many to be one of the world’s top heavyweights. Berto, of Tampa, the brother of top boxing contender, Andre Berto, will meet Yves Edwards of Conroe, Tex., in a fight at 160 pounds and “Krazy Horse,’’ of Ocala, who owns a knockout victory over current EliteXC 160-pound world champion KJ Noons, will be opposed by an opponent to be determined.

 

In other fights: England's James “The Colossus’’ Thompson will face unbeaten Brett Rogers of Minneapolis in a heavyweight match and Australian Kyle “KO’’ Noke, the bodyguard of the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter’’ Irwin, will take on Scott Smith of Sacramento, Calif., in a solid matchup at 185 pounds.

 

            The SHOWTIME portion of the card will begin at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

 

           For more information on EliteXC and other MMA-related stories, including bios, video-on-demand, photos, stats, Fantasy Fight Game TM and more, please visit ProElite.com and  EliteXC.com.

 

 

 

 

Kimbo Vs. Tank; Gina C., Big Foot Silva Featured Feb. 16 In Miami On Showtime

 

 
Fresh off a smashing, 19-second first-round knockout in his Street-to-Elite MMA debut, the incredibly popular Kimbo Slice will face David "Tank" Abbott in what figures to be an absolute slugfest in the EliteXC main event on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami.
 
The fight card, announced today by EliteXC Live Events President, Gary Shaw, will headline a  sensational  EliteXC event that also will feature the top female draw in MMA, Gina Carano, highly regarded, top-notch heavyweights Antonio "Big Foot" Silva and James "The Colossus" Thompson (in separate bouts) and a terrific matchup between 185-pounders Scott Smith and Kyle "KO'' Noke.
 
The card will be televised on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
 
Kimbo, the legendary backyard street fighter and YouTube sensation who lives in Miami, Fla., destroyed Bo Cantrell in his first MMA start on Nov. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME. In this eagerly awaited fight, Kimbo will be facing one of the most feared knockout artists in MMA history. 
 
A notorious bad boy and trash-talker, Abbott, of Huntington Beach, Calif., has called out Kimbo on numerous occasions and is supremely confident of a victory.
 
Carano and Silva, who are coming off impressive first-round submission victories in their last starts, and England's Thompson, who has defeated the likes of legends Dan Severn, Don Frye, and Hidehiko Yoshida, will be opposed by opponents to be determined.
 
Noke, the bodyguard of the late Steve "Crocodile Hunter'' Irwin, won his EliteXC debut with an impressive second-round TKO over Seth Kleinbeck. But he faces another tough assignment in Smith, who recently signed with EliteXC and is making his SHOWTIME debut.

 

ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet.  ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools.  ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts.  In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations.  ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

  

 

 

Boxing's nationally known lawyer Fred Levin, and manager Godwin Asifo are among those spearheading Mixied Martial Arts Group…

MMA Veterans Launch WAMMA—First Sanctioning Body for Sport
***FBI veteran David Szady is CEO, former wrestling champ ‘Goldberg’ joins ranks***
 
WAMMA – World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts – Will Rank Fighters, Establish Unified Rules, Ensure Safety of Fighters, Sanction World Championship Bouts
 
Central Sanctioning Body Sets Stage for the First Inter-Promoter Fight Cards
 
 
NEW YORK, November 14—With Mixed Martial Arts growing into a mainstream sporting power, a team of business and combat sport veterans today launched WAMMA, the first sanctioning body for the burgeoning sport. The World Alliance of Mixed Martial (WAMMA) will create the first weight division ranking system for MMA fighters, establish unified rules for the sport, ensure the safety and welfare of the fighters, and sanction world championship bouts. Most important, it will provide unifying legitimacy to the sport by enabling the best fighters in the world to face off against each other, no matter the promotion they work for.
 
WAMMA was announced at a press conference today at the New York City sports bastion Gallagher’s Steak House in Manhattan. The press conference was lead by David Szady along with former wrestling star Bill Goldberg, MMA Legends Pat Miletich and Don Frye, noted boxing manager Godwin Asifo, and nationally known attorney Michael Lynch.
 
WAMMA will be headed up by President and CEO David Szady, a retired 33-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his career with the FBI, David served as Assistant Director for Counter Intelligence, as a Presidential appointee as the first National Counter Intelligence Executive, and two years as the head of the CIA’s Counter Espionage Group.
 
“WAMMA is here to stay,” said Szady. “All of the promotions have great fighters and deserving champions, but there are simply too many champions in too many varying weight divisions – it is confusing to the average fan. WAMMA will change that by sanctioning unified world championship fights, increasing the integrity and viability of the sport for the fighters and the fans, while at the same detracting nothing from individual MMA promotions.”
 
To rank fighters by weight division, WAMMA has established an independent ranking committee composed of some of the most knowledgeable figures in the MMA world. The ranking committee will operate much as the panel of sportswriters who determine the Associated Press college football and basketball rankings does. It will operate independently of the WAMMA management, which will have no influence over the rankings. The committee will be responsible for ranking the top-10 fighters in each weight division and recognizing a unified champion in each.
 
In addition to the ranking committee, WAMMA has established committees to oversee three other areas:
  • International MMA Relations
  • Fighter Safety
  • Referee and Judge Evaluations
 
WAMMA is also proud to announce that the world-renowned Andrews Institute and famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews have agreed to serve as the sanctioning body’s Medical Advisory Board. This partnership will enable WAMMA to enhance its ability to care for fighters both in and out of the ring.
 
WAMMA’s “Gloves” insignia was designed and created for the organization by LeRoy Neiman, the world famous American artist best known for his brilliantly colored images of sporting events and figures.
 
“We couldn’t have been more honored to have LeRoy Neiman supporting us,” said Michael Lynch, Executive Vice President and COO of WAMMA. “To have someone of his stature design our insignia speaks to the support WAMMA has already received from the sports world.”
 
The International Fight League was represented by Gareb Shamus, Kurt Otto, Jay Larkin and Joe Favorito. Boxing promoter Lou DiBella was also in attendance.
 
 
 
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SHOXC FINAL QUOTES
 

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007,

Chumash Casino Resort. Santa Ynez, Calif.

 

Two undefeated 205-pound fighters with nearly identical records will clash when Aaron Rosa (10-0) faces Jared Hamman (9-0) in one of the co-featured bouts on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME Friday, Oct. 26, at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

 

In another excellent matchup in the other co-feature, Javier “Showtime” Vazquez (11-2) will meet JC “Crayola’’ Pennington (14-3-1) in a 150-pound fight.

Other fights on a telecast presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s Live Fight Division, EliteXC:  Malaipet (2-1) collides with Kaleo ‘’Lights Out’’ Kwan (8-6) at 155 pounds; Taurus “Mushin” Corbbrey (11-2, 1 NC) battles Bobby “Wolverine” McMaster (8-1) at 155 pounds; and in a bout that further illustrates EliteXC’s commitment to women’s MMA, Shayna Baszler (9-4) takes on Jennifer “Rosebud’’ Tate (4-0) at 135 pounds.

The televised fights at Chumash Casino Resort at Santa Ynez, Calif. are scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds with the exception of Baszler-Tate, which is slated for three, 3-minute rounds.

Three additional fights will be streamed live on the Internet at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT on  the premier MMA social networking and entertainment site, ProElite.com: In scheduled three, 3-minute round contests: Chris Cariaso (5-0) faces Rick McCorkell (6-3) at 135 pounds;  Jaime Fletcher (8-2) meets Giva Santana (9-0) at 185 pounds; and Shane Del Rosario (2-0) collides with Amedeo Viola (debut) at 265 pounds. A scheduled fight between Fabricio “Morango” Camoes and Ryan Bixler fell out late Friday night after Bixler withdrew.

AARON ROSA

“I am getting paid for what I love to do. I grew up in MMA and just love everything about it: the training, the fighting, and the people. I just have a passion for it like everyone else.

 

“Coming right back on SHOWTIME is really exciting. I want to do well so they will ask me back, but I know I need to keep winning to get where I want to go. So I keep working even harder. I always give my best and love to fight. I love to match my will against my opponent’s.

 

“I am known as a striker and some think I am anti-Jiu-Jitsu but I am not really anti-Jiu-Jitsu. If there is a submission to be had I will go for it. I am always looking for my opponent to make a mistake and pounce on them.

 

“I guess I have a lot of common with Hamman. We are both undefeated, both played football, we’re about the same height and we are Christians.

 

“This is going to be a tremendous fight.’’   

JARED HAMMAN

“I’ve never had a fight go to a decision. Like I tell the college football players I coach, you go for it right away so you don’t put anyone else in the position to decide it for you. I take it round by round, minute by minute, just like I tell my players to take it play-by-play and give it everything you’ve got.

 

“I fight stand-up but have been working hard on my ground game. I think I have improved it a lot. I don’t feel I am one-dimensional and I can adjust to whatever my opponent is doing.

 

“I don’t know much about Rosa, so I don’t know if this is going to be my toughest fight. But it is going to be a great fight and I am going to give my all.

 

“Being unbeaten is fine, but who you beat is more important. I know a win over Rosa will mean a lot to me.’’

JAVIER VAZQUEZ

“It’s about time that a guy whose nickname is ‘Showtime’ is finally getting to fight on his network. Seriously, though, all my fights are thrilling. They are never boring. Fans always get a show. Friday will not be an exception.

 

“I wasn’t satisfied with my last fight. I took a lot more punishment than I should have, or am accustomed to. I didn’t do what I always do. But I am ready for a top performance now.

 

“Pennington is a good all-around fighter but I feel I am at a higher level than him. I don’t say it, but people are always saying that I am an elite fighter.

 

“I know Pennington is coming to win, but this is my chance to prove I belong to be mentioned with some of others in my weight class. I am looking forward to getting it on Friday night.’’

JC PENNINGTON

“I was beyond thrilled when I was offered this fight and nearly stressed for two weeks waiting for it to become official. This is a great opportunity for me to be able to fight on SHOWTME.

 

“I am definitely excited. I promise this will not be a disappointing fight. Win or lose, I am going to have fun. I am very confident. I have been working with a lot of good people on my stand-up and I think it is getting pretty good. I know I am feeling more and more comfortable.

 

“I know my opponent is very good and that I am the underdog.  But I am going to test him and push the pace.

 

“He hasn’t been all that active and I noticed his cardio wasn’t all that good in his last fight. My last three fights have gone the distance and my cardio has been great.

 

“I want to try and keep this run going as long as I can and be the best I can be. This is the kind of fighter I want to fight.’’

KALAO KWAN

“Hawaii has a lot of great fighters and the fans know we come to fight.

 

“Malaipet comes in very highly regarded, but it is exciting for me to get a chance to showcase my skills and see where I am at talent-wise with others at my weight.

 

“Malaipet prefers to fight but he has some weaknesses, which I am going to try and expose. I don’t think he does all that well on the ground.

 

“This is really an important fight for me. Win this fight and I may be able to attract some offers that will allow me to quit my job as a construction worker. I work construction now to support my wife and six children.

 

“I have been training very hard and I know what I have to do Friday.’’

MUSHIN CORBBREY

 “This is going to be a fun, tough fight. I expect McMaster to stay in and stand. He is a good fighter, but I feel I have fought better fighters.

 

“My goal every fight is to finish my opponent, but winning is the most important thing.

 

“I think fans got a little restless in my last fight against Lee Gibson, but Lee is a really tough fighter who just was not going to go away no matter what I did. I was looking for a knockout, but he was totally game and took a lot of shots, especially to his legs.

 

“No respect to McMaster, but I feel I am ready to step up and fight the very best guys. I think I should be fighting main events soon. I would fight any of the so-called top guys in a heartbeat.

 

“I want to fight as often as possible. Being a professional boxer, I could be boxing in the next few weeks if everything goes OK Friday. My goal is to win world championship belts in MMA and boxing.’’

 

SHAYNA BASZLER

“Jennifer is tough and aggressive and has big hands. She likes to press the pace and dictate the pace. She has been able to get away with that so far, but I don’t think anyone she has fought will fight back like I will.

 

“I have fought the best women in MMA. I am confident I can beat any of them on my best day.

 

“I am looking forward to Friday and fighting on SHOWTIME. Along with EliteXC, they have really helped fighters like me make a name for myself. I hope to continue to take advantage of these types of fabulous opportunities.’’

SHANE DEL ROSARIO

“I really am looking forward to fighting on ProElite.com. This will give a whole lot of people a chance to see what I can do.

 

“I don’t know what to expect, except that this will be a good fight and a good win might mean a fight next time on ShoXC.’’

 AMADEO VIOLA

“When it is all said and done, it is not the material stuff  that adds to your legacy but what you do in the cage.

 

“I am anxious, but not nervous, for my MMA debut. I want to make a good impression on the fans and with EliteXC and SHOWTIME. I am confident I can do that.’’

 

About Pro Elite, Inc.

ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet.  ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools.  ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of mixed martial arts enthusiasts.  In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations.  ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

 

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD™, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND™ and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV.