A MIDWEST MMA MERGER ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted on | July 27, 2007 | 1 Comment
Media Contact: Chris Arns (515) 274-0849 arns.chris@gmail.com
For Immediate Release
TOP MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) ORGANIZATIONS MERGE TO FORM LARGEST IOWA FIGHT PROMOTION COMPANY
Des Moines, IA- July 27, 2007- Midwest Cage Championship (MCC) and Title Fight Championship (TFC) announced plans today to combine resources, merge operations, and mutually produce professional mixed martial arts (MMA) events. Both organizations are based in Des Moines and were formed in early 2006. MCC is arguably the oldest and most well established promoter in the Des Moines market, with their ninth production (Heatwave) happening Saturday, July 28. TFC is best known for its larger, high-production, celebrity centric shows in venues including Wells Fargo Arena and Veterans Auditorium.
“Each organization has unique qualities and varied experiences that together create the largest, most organized, and well resourced fight company in the market” stated Scott Casber, co-founder of TFC. In total, the combined companies have produced 15 events, including professional boxing at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. Additionally, programming is available to consumers via cable broadcasts (Mediacom) and by web casts (actionranch.com).
MCC owners, John Halverson and Ryan Hass, are both experienced and well respected fighters. Halverson himself is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In the new organization, Halverson and Hass have the key responsibility to select and organize event competitors in addition to duties being equally split between all company members. TFC has an intrinsic link to the wrestling world through its sister company, ten year old TakeDown Wrestling Radio. That relationship has provided access to world class MMA stars that have visited Iowa to promote TFC shows including Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Matt Hughes, Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, and Mike Van Arsdale
“Ultimately fight fans as well as the fighters will benefit. Being a professional fighter myself, I want to put emphasis on building the fighters by putting together exciting matches. When people see fights like Jeremy Stephens versus Chris Mickle, they never forget the heart, determination, and talent both competitors brought to the table. Their fight will be talked about for a long time! We want to continue to give fighters opportunities to showcase their skill with the intent the recognition will boost them up the ladder, ultimately to pay per view shows like the UFC or WEC” offered John Halverson, regarding the improvements resulting from the merger. Existing venue agreements with 95KGGO/Buccaneers Arena (MCC) and the Iowa Events Center (TFC) will provide fans more than 15 shows per year with varied formats and price levels. Additionally, individual and unique rosters of corporate sponsors will work in concert to help attain mutual goals set by the new organization.
“Going forward, the MCC name will be maintained for all MMA events, while Title Fight will be established for our boxing events. We all agreed the MCC name has the most awareness with fight fans” commented Ryan Hass. Both organizations have a rich history of collaboration as MCC has hired TFC’s Casber as an announcer, and TFC and TakeDown Radio have actively promoted MCC shows.
“We’re clearly not heading into this blind. We’ve all worked together on several levels, know each other well, and have developed trust and respect. As a broadcaster and announcer, I’ve worked with every promoter in the market. These are the right guys to team with and take the fight game to the next level” offered an enthusiastic Casber.
An announcement of the first production under the new company will be provided soon. Fans first chance see a company event is tomorrow, Saturday July 28 at 95KGGO/Buccaneer Arena for IX: Heatwave. Tickets are available at the arena box office (515-278-9757) or on-line at midwestcagechampionship.com.