GLADIATOR CHALLENGE TO BE “UNLEASHED” AT 1ST –EVER MMA EVENT AT THUNDER VALLEY CASINO

Posted on | June 29, 2011 | No Comments

MMA pioneer Don “The Predator” Frye to make special appearance

Apple Valley, CA (USA): Gladiator Challenge (GC) owner Tedd Williams is proud to announce “Unleashed,” the first-ever mixed martial arts (MMA) event to take place at the world class Thunder Valley Casino Resort, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 27^th. This is a match made in heaven, as the hottest casino in all of California has partnered with the pioneers of the sport of MMA. This electrifying night of fight action will feature some of the top GC fighters, including several title-holders. In addition, as a special treat, MMA pioneer Don “The Predator” Frye is scheduled to make a special appearance. Fight fans will not want to miss this history-making night!

“We are extremely pleased and excited to bring the GC brand of MMA action to a locale like Thunder Valley Casino,” exclaimed Williams. “It’s a beautiful place, and I can’t wait to see the entertaining show the fighters put on there.”

“Unleashed” will showcase some of the best competitors Gladiator Challenge has to offer. Four top-shelf main events headline the card, including:

–         A title match between the GC Super Heavyweight Champion, Rick Vardell, and MMA legend Dan “The Beast” Severn

–         GC Middleweight Champion James “The Educator” Fanshier defending his strap against Chris Sheridan

–         A GC Heavyweight Championship fight between title-holder Rob “Caveman” Jackson and fan favorite Deutsch Pu’u

–         Recently-crowned GC Native American Light Heavyweight Champion Owen Rubio will put the title on the line in a rematch with former belt-holder Mike “Lil’ Bear” Johnson
The action will all take place at the Thunder Valley Casino, located at 1200 Athens Avenue in Lincoln, California. For more information on the Thunder Valley Casino, please visit http://www.thundervalleyresort.com/. Doors for “Unleashed” will open at 5:30 PM, with the first fight hitting at 7 PM. Tickets for this exciting event will be available through the Virtual Box Office at http://gc.vbotickets.com/. More information will be announced soon.

Rick Vardell (4-1) is one of the most popular fighters in Gladiator Challenge today. The GC Super Heavyweight Champion, Vardell has garnered a reputation for putting on brutal displays of power. A former world champion arm-wrestler, the 48 year-old last competed in the GC cage at “Royal Flush” in November of last year, where he avenged the only loss of his career with a 2^nd-round TKO stoppage of Dan Quinn. The 6’4”, 265-pounder is a behemoth of a man that must be seen in action to be truly appreciated.

Dan “The Beast” Severn (99-18-7) is one of pioneers of MMA, and holder of over 100 recognized titles and championships. Simply put, Severn’s legacy in the sport has been cemented. He has locked horns with some of the best fighters in the world; the list is a virtual “who’s who” of the cage and the squared circle. Ken Shamrock, Mark Coleman, Royce Gracie, Oleg Taktarov, Tank Abbott, Jeremy Horn, Kimo, Pat Militech, Josh Barnett, Pedro Rizzo, and even Forrest Griffin have all tasted the fury of “The Beast.” But Severn is not done yet. Having conquered the worlds of amateur wrestling, pro wrestling, and mixed martial arts, “The Beast” is hungry for more. And now he wants the GC Super Heavyweight belt.

James “The Educator” Fanshier (18-11) recently returned from a nine-month hiatus from fighting to put his GC middleweight crown on the line against tough veteran Richard Blake. Blake put up a solid fight, but Fanshier was able to secure the victory with a 2^nd-round armbar submission. One of the most experienced GC competitors ever, Fanshier holds a 14-5 record with the promotion. He has faced notable fighters such as Chris Leben, James Lee, Thomas “Wildman” Denny, Shannon Ritch, Joey Villasenor, Jeremiah Metcalf, Ronald Jhun, and Mike “The Joker” Guymon.

Rob “Caveman” Jackson (4-1) recently secured the Gladiator Challenge Heavyweight Championship with a victory over grizzled veteran Ruben “Warpath” Villareal. The hotly-contested battle at the aptly-named “Warpath” event ended up in a split-decision in favor of the underdog “Caveman.” Jackson has won four of his five fights, all of them taking place in GC. Now, after shocking the California fight scene and taking the GC heavyweight belt, he’ll look to defend the strap for the first time.

Deutsch Pu’u (2-0), revered back in his home territory of American Samoa, Pu’u served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. While serving, he became a champion boxer, and was chosen to participate in the Army World Class Athletic Program. As a result, he was selected for the Olympic Games trials in 2003. This war hero did not only battle in the ring. He led men into battle many times, and was discharged honorably from the army after reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. Now a full-fledged MMA fighter, you’d be hard-pressed to find a competitor with more heart.

For more information on Gladiator Challenge and all its events, please visit http://www.gladiatorchallenge.com.

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