ELITE XC EVENT TO SUBJECT ALL FIGHTERS TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING
Posted on | October 18, 2007 | No Comments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAGE RAGE FIGHTERS
SUBJECT TO DRUG TESTING
Process To Begin With “EliteXC Presents Cage Rage 24’’
Streaming Live Dec. 1 on ProElite.com
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 17, 2007) – All fighters competing on upcoming Cage Rage fight cards will be subject to random drug testing, it was announced Wednesday.
Cage Rage, which recently was purchased by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc. (PELE.PK), is the biggest and most prestigious Mixed Martial Arts organization in the UK.
Gary Shaw, President of ProElite’s Live Events Division, EliteXC, initiated the idea to test the fighters
“Anybody that knows me knows that my No. 1 priority is the health and safety of the athletes,’’ Shaw said. “I wholeheartedly agree and support Cage Rage’s decision. This ensures that the highest safety standards will be in place each and every time a fighter competes in an EliteXC/Cage Rage fight card in Britain.’’
The process will begin before the “EliteXC Presents Cage Rage 24” Dec. 1 event that will be aired on pay-per-view live at ProElite.com.
“This shows that Gary Shaw and EliteXC truly have the fighters’ best interests at heart and are serious about promoting this great sport to the uppermost standard,’’ Cage Rage co-founder and promoter Dave O’Donnell said. “Drug taking will not be tolerated on a Cage Rage promotion.’’
Any fighter who appears on a Cage Rage show will be subject to random drug testing, which includes checking for anabolic steroids, stimulants, marijuana and cocaine. All fighters in world title fights will be tested.
MRI scan and ophthalmologic inspections will be introduced in early 2008, announced Shaw.
About Pro Elite, Inc.
ProElite, Inc. 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 CommunityTM.
About Cage Rage Championships (www.cagerage.tv)
Cage Rage Championships (CRC) is the original European mixed martial arts brand, established in 2002 by Dave O’Donnell and Andrew Geer. CRC promotes and produces 6 marquis live MMA events at the Wembley Arena per annum. European audiences enjoy CRC events on pay TV in certain markets, while British TV audiences enjoy live broadcasts of CRC events on Sky Sports 3. In early 2006, Cage Rage Championships launched Cage Rage Contenders, an ‘up-and-comers’ event promotion for new fighters to showcase their skills. The Contenders shows have been expanded to the Republic of Ireland, where the biggest Contenders show to date took place in The Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland on May 26th, 2007.[7] This is the first Cage Rage event to be held outside the UK.