PRO-ELITE OFICIALLY ACQUIRES KOTC
Posted on | September 14, 2007 | No Comments
PROELITE ACQUIRES KING OF THE CAGE,
A LEADING GLOBAL MMA ORGANIZATION
Acquisition Dovetails with ProElite’s Global Growth Strategy
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 13, 2007) – ProElite, Inc. [PELE.PK], a sports entertainment and media company dedicated to producing world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, today announced the acquisition of King of the Cage, Inc. (KOTC), a prolific MMA promoter with an established stable of world-class fighters and global brand equity.
As part of the agreement, KOTC will promote events in conjunction with Los Angeles-based ProElite’s respected and highly acclaimed live events division, EliteXC, which broadcasts MMA events on Showtime Networks. KOTC will also provide live-streaming video content through ProElite.com.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are extremely pleased that KOTC is joining the ProElite family, a natural extension of our brand as we continue to move forward with our global growth strategy,” said Douglas Deluca, CEO of ProElite, Inc. “Pound for pound, KOTC is the best brand out there and brings a deep breadth of industry experience to ProElite, providing a built-in infrastructure that will strengthen the impact of our organization on the world of MMA.”
Founded in 1999 by renowned MMA promoter Terry Trebilcock, the Fontana, Calif.-based KOTC is widely regarded as a pioneer in the sport having discovered and showcased some of the world’s premier fighters including Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Diego Sanchez, Rashard Evans, Joe Stevenson, Rico Rodriguez, Urijah Faber and more.
KOTC annually promotes more than 35 shows, 13 of which are pay-per-view events, and prior to 2007 drew the largest cumulative live audiences per annum of any MMA organization in North America. To date, KOTC has sold more than 1.5 million DVDs and continues to promote MMA events on four continents, including Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.
“Terry and KOTC have captured audiences’ attention around the globe, consistently discovering and showcasing some of the best fighters in MMA,” said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President. “There is no question that this acquisition will bolster EliteXC’s exposure domestically and abroad, serving as an entrée to fans and fighters who look to EliteXC as a destination for the finest entertainment that the MMA industry has to offer.”
Said Trebilcock, CEO of KOTC: ““ProElite’s EliteXC is an ideal fit for KOTC, and we are honored to join such a talented team of dedicated professionals. ProElite is unmatched in its commitment to the sport, its fans and fighters, and we are thrilled to grow in lockstep with the company.”
About ProElite, Inc. (www.proelite.com)
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 Community TM.
About King of the Cage (www.kingofthecage.com)
Fontana, Calif.-based King of the Cage Inc. (KOTC) is one of the largest MMA promoters in the world with KOTC pay-per-view events aired over 165 days per year on Dish Network, iN Demand and TVN. KOTC also promotes more than 35 MMA events in 17 states and on 4 continents.
BERTO VS. ESTRADA SET TO FACE OFF ON TAYLOR VS. PAVLIK UNDERCARD
Posted on | September 14, 2007 | No Comments
—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
DiBella Entertainment Presents….in association with Top Rank, Inc
ANDRE BERTO vs. DAVID ESTRADA
CO-MAIN BOUT ON TAYLOR – PAVLIK
WILL BE CROSSROAD BATTLE FOR BOTH FIGHTERS
NEW YORK, September13th- While most fight fans at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and those viewing live on HBO World Championship Boxing on September 29th are anticipating the World Middleweight Championship bout between champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor and #1 challenger Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, they will also be treated to a co-main event featuring two of the welterweight division’s elite in a crossroads battle. Fast rising Andre Berto will square off against fellow Floridian David Estrada in a 12-round bout for the vacant NABF welterweight title as well as a stronger foothold in the sports most exciting division.
Berto, nearly a three year pro, made a name for himself as an amateur while attempting to make the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing team. He was disqualified during a preliminary trials bout, and suddenly his Olympic dream was gone. Through a twist of fate, he suddenly found himself invited to be the first ever member of the Haitian boxing team, a country of which he holds dual citizenship due to his parents birthright. Though his Olympic dream was briefly realized, (he lost a razor-thin decision in his first bout), he joined professional a few months later with a three round knock out, and hasn’t looked back since. Berto is now 19-0 with 16 KOs and of his three bouts that have gone the distance, he has only lost four of a possible fifty four judged rounds- relying on constant pressure to either knock his opponent out, or win the round overwhelmingly.
Though both fighters frequent Miami area gyms, neither has had much contact with each other over the years- the closest contact being when Berto appeared on the undercard of Estrada’s biggest win which was a (TKO-11) over Chris Smith. Berto acknowledges that Estrada will be his toughest test to date.
“He’s definitely a step up in class. He’s been in with world class competition so he’s gonna be a real good test for me,” said Berto. Although Berto boasts a 84% knockout ratio, the scheduled 12-round distance doesn’t phase him in the least. “I’m definitely ready to go the distance if necessary. We’re putting in a lot of hard work in the gym and I’m looking forward to it.”
For Miami’s Estrada, the fight with Berto can reignite his career in a big way. The 21-3, 12 KOs, former USBA welterweight champ is riding a three fight KO win streak after dropping two straight to pound-for-pound elite “Sugar” Shane Mosley (L10) and current IBF king Kermit Cintron (TKOby10). Exactly one month after facing Berto, Estrada will have been a pro for eight years and is well aware that he is regarded as a stepping-stone in this match – a view he doesn’t quite share. “His camp might think so, but he knows he’s in for a war and the fight of his life,” said Estrada.
Estrada knows that Berto can be hurt, as evidenced by his hitting the deck in his last fight against Cosme Rivera. “He has bitten off more than he can chew, not because Cosme dropped him. Anyone can get knockdown, but he handled it well, he got up and won the fight. On September 29th the world will see what kind of fighter I am when I’m prepared,” said Estrada.
Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment is as excited as any fan would be over this pivotal matchup. “This will be an explosive bout between two Florida natives, as Berto puts his youth, power and speed up against the experience, toughness and resiliency of Estrada.”
Tickets for Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik “Throwback” are priced at $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50, are now on sale and can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com .
ANDRADE TAKING AMATEUR BOXING WORLD BY STORM
Posted on | September 14, 2007 | No Comments
Andrade ready to take on the World
PROVIDENCE (September 13, 2007) – Fresh off of his thoroughly dominating performance at the US Boxing Trials, where he qualified for the 2008 United States Boxing Team, amateur boxing star Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade has shifted his sights on the AIBA Men’s World Championships, October 23-November 3, at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Andrade, the No. 1 rated welterweight in the U.S., is the two-time U.S. National Championships and National Golden Gloves champion. The 19-year-old southpaw blitzed the opposition at the US Boxing Trials — defeating in order David Lopez (RSCO-2), Charles Hatley (RSCO-3), Keith Thurman (27-13) and Thurman (21-13) again in the championship bout – to secure a position on Team USA.
All of the members on Team USA, however, need to qualify for the Olympics by finishing among the top eight in The Worlds or by placing in two other International tournaments. “It feels good to be on the team,” Andrade said. “I’ve worked very hard to get there but my goal is to win a gold medal at the Olympics. I trained super hard with my father (Paul) and David (Keefe). They prepared me to do well. I knew what I had to do and did it. It was easy.”
Demetrious will soon join his Team USA teammates at training camp in Colorado Springs to get ready for the World Championships, which in many ways serves as a prelude in boxing to the 2008 Olympic Games in China.
With Cuban Erislandi Lara reportedly not competing due to his failed defection at the Pan-Am Games, Andrade’s chief competition at The Worlds figures to come from Russians Andrey Balanov and Ruslan Khairov, although Bulgaria’s top ranked Magumed Nurudinov and Pan-Am Games gold medal winner Pedro Lima, who edged Andrade 7-6 in the championship bout held in Lima’s native Brazil, should also be in the medal hunt.
“I’m going through them all,” Andrade predicted. “No mercy for anybody. After this (World Championships) they won’t want to fight me in the Olympics. I won but lost in Russia and Brazil (due to controversial hometown scoring against Andrade). That doesn’t happen in tournaments like these…..oh, Roy Jones and Evander Holyfield were robbed in the Olympics.”
Andrade believes he’s improved in several ways like sitting down better (on his punches) and taking baby steps forward (rather than rushing in). His jab has been extremely effective but he also realizes that he has to work on some small bad habits to become an even more complete boxer.
All of the hoopla surrounding the Olympics, according to “Boo Boo,” hasn’t changed him because of his strong support system. “It’s all starting to hit me but I don’t feel any pressure,” Andrade concluded. “I keep a tight circle and don’t go around with a lot of people hanging around me. More people seem to know who I am now, but I know what can happen. My father and Dave give me tips about what to do or not to do in and out of the ring. Right now, I’m just getting focused on the World Championships and qualifying to box in the Olympics.”
-DA-
HDNET “INSIDE MMA” SHOW STARTS WITH A BANG!!
Posted on | September 14, 2007 | 2 Comments
HDNet delivers knock-out punch with debut of “Inside MMA”
Premiere episode of new weekly series hits hard with guests including Mixed Martial Arts Superstar Chuck Liddell and actor/comedian Kevin James – FRIDAY, September 14
DALLAS (September 13, 2007) Mixed Martial Arts superstar Chuck Liddell and actor/comedian Kevin James help kick off the premiere episode of INSIDE MMA, the new weekly HDNet series covering the latest news, rankings, stats and highlights from the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
INSIDE MMA, hosted by Kenny Rice and former MMA fighter Bas Rutten, debuts on HDNet at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, September 14. This episode includes an appearance by former MMA fighter and HDNet FiGHTS Commissioner Guy Mezger. Each episode of INSIDE MMA will also include in-depth features by HDNet’s Ron Kruck.
“INSIDE MMA is the only program of its kind,” said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. “It will be THE destination for MMA fans looking for the latest news and information on this exciting sport.”
HDNet has also announced the new HDNet FiGHTS series that will premiere on the network on October 19.
About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net) provides viewers with the best in original comedy, drama, news, sports and music programming.
HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report”, “Dan Rather Reports” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, NASCAR Grand National Division, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup re-broadcasts, boxing and Mixed Martial Arts; groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including U2, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani and more, plus original music programs “Sound Off with Matt Pinfield”, and “True Music w/Katie Daryl”; entertaining interview shows including “Face 2 Face with Roy Firestone” and “Higher Definition”, in addition to fun and irreverent lifestyle programming including “Geek to Freak with Dennis Rodman”, “Deadline!”, “Art Mann Presents”, and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to the critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning “Arrested Development”, “The Black Donnellys”, “Blade: The Series”, “Star Trek: Enterprise”, “Dead Like Me”, “Smallville”, “Joan of Arcadia”, “Boomtown” and “Andy Richter Controls the Universe”.
HDNet Movies also features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases – all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio so that HDNet Movies viewers get the best possible home theater experience.
Only HDNet Movies exclusive “Sneak Previews” bring feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters! Some of the HDNet Movies “Sneak Previews” have included the Academy Award nominated “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”, Toronto Film Festival nominee “The War Within”, and “Bubble”, the first of six movies by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh and produced exclusively for HDNet Films and, most recently, “Broken English”, from Zoe Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Griffin Dunne. Upcoming Sneak Previews include “Quid Pro Quo”, starring Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga, “Hunter”, the story of the life and death of infamous gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson from director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter, “Cashback”, written and produced by Sean Ellis, “Flawless”, starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore, and “Closing Escrow”, a real estate mockumentary featuring April Barnett and Allen Friedman.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
PREVIEW OF PAWEL WOLAK FIGHT CARD FROM LONG ISLAND
Posted on | September 14, 2007 | No Comments
Wolak set to make statement on Friday’s Long Island card
NEW YORK (September 13, 2007) – Unbeaten Polish prospect Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak plans to make a statement tomorrow night (Friday, September 14) against “Flawless” Dan Wallace (9-1, 3 KOs) in the 10 round main event for the IBA Americas middleweight championship, headlining a pro boxing show promoted by Frankie “G” Promotions and Ring Promotions, at the Huntington Hilton Hotel in Melville, Long Island.
New York State junior middleweight champion Wolak (16-0, 11 KOs), now fighting out of Brooklyn, has moved up in the ratings to No. 11 in both the NABF and NABO. A graduate of Berkley College in Manhattan, Pawel has developed into one of the hottest young fighters on the East Coast, capturing the hearts and minds of his growing legion of passionate Polish fans.
“I saw Wallace fight on ESPN against Walter Wright,” Wolak said. “I think he’s made for me – tall with a long body. I like to body punch and I’ve trained against a lot of guys like him. This fight shouldn’t be a problem at all. I’m going to put on a show for my fans. It took Wright eight rounds to take him out. I hope to get it done quicker and show that I’m a strong fighter. I’m going to press a lot, relentlessly, slip punches and deliver shots to the head and body. I want to stop it early.
“I don’t look too far ahead. All I’m really thinking about is this fight. I know what I want to accomplish in the future, but I’m taking everything one step at a time. I’m going to be in the best shape of my life. Each fight I want to learn from, too. I’m going to make a strong statement against Wallace.”
Two unbeaten light heavyweights – multiple European and Irish amateur champion Alo Kelley (2-0, 1 KO) and Reggie “Concrete” LaCrete (4-0, 3 KOs) – square-off in the six-round co-feature. Kelley is an Irish Ropes stablemate of middleweight sensation “Ireland’s” John Duddy, while LaCrete is managed by the famed Jackie Kallen (her life story was made into the movie Against the Ropes starring Meg Ryan).
In another six-round welterweight bout popular Long Island fighter Mike Ruiz (3-2, 2 KOs) takes on Jessie Gomez (1-3) in a battle of native New Yorkers.
Former Irish National Senior amateur champion Henry “Western Warrior” Coyle (2-1, 1 KO) faces pro debuting Robert Kimbrough in a four-round bout. Also on the undercard
(all four-round bouts) is local favorite and 2-time New York Golden Gloves champion Nagy Aquilera (1-0, 1 KO), of Newburgh (NY), against Bronx heavyweight Rubin Bracero (2-5, 1 KO); 2007 New York Golden Gloves champion Joseph Llovet, of Bayshore (NY), makes his pro debut versus Leon Williams (0-2); Russian light heavyweight Sergie Kravencho (3-0, 3 KOs), trained by Don Turner, meets Brooklyn’s pro debuting Borngod Williams; Long Island super middleweight Issac Holden and Brooklyn’s Oliver Osumpa make their pro debuts fighting each other.
Tickets are on sale and priced at $1,700.00 for a VIP Ringside table that includes a one-hour cocktail party and full course dinner served at ringside (all beverages included), $100.00 (golden ringside), $75.00 (ringside) and $40.00 (general admission. To purchase tickets or for additional information call Academy of Boxing (631.673.3520), Frankie G (631.334.4862), Bob Duffy (516.313.2304) and Music Planet in Brooklyn (718.383.2051). The first bout is slated for 7:30 PM/ET.
WEIGHTS FROM LONG ISLAND
PAWEL WOLAK 155 lbs.
DAN WALLACE 155 lbs.
(vacant IBA Americas middleweight championship)
ALO KELLEY 173 ½ lbs.
REGGIE LaCRETE 173 lbs.
MIKE RUIZ 152 lbs.
JESSIE GOMEZ 149 lbs.
HENRY COYLE 154 ¾ lbs.
ROBERT KIMBROUGH 151 ½ lbs.
NAGY AQUILER 232 lbs.
RUBIN BRACERO 243 lbs.
JOSEPH LLOVRT 135 ½ lbs.
LEON WILLIAMS 133 ½ lbs.
SERGIE KRAVENCHO 173 ¼ lbs.
BORNGOD WILLIAMS 175 lbs.
ISAAC HOLDEN 166 ¾ lbs.
OLIVER MUSAMPA 171 lbs
JASON THOMPSON 148 lbs
CHRIS GRAY 150 lbs..
Date: Friday, Sept. 14, 2007
Site: Huntington Hilton Hotel, Melville, Long Island, NY
Promoter: Frankie “G” Productions and Ring Promotions.
Tickets: $1,700.00 for a VIP Ringside table that includes a one-hour cocktail party and full course dinner served at ringside (all beverages included), $100.00 (golden ringside), $75.00 (ringside) and $40.00 (general admission. For information call Frankie G (631.334.4862) or Bob Duffy (516.313.2304). The first bout is slated for 7:30 PM/ET.
-PFN-
SAM PETER GETS NEW MONNIKER
Posted on | September 12, 2007 | No Comments
WATCH OUT FOR THE SLEDGEHAMMER!! (TOM CASINO PHOTOS)
Dino Duva, promoter for Sam Peter, says that the heavyweight contender now has two nicknames. He remains “The Nigerian Nightmare,” but has been dubbed “The Sledgehammer” by Duva because of his KO power and this photo, on a recent visit to Peter’s training camp in the Poconos. Peter gets a shot at the title against champion Oleg Maskaev at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, October 6. Showtime will televise.
VITALI KLITSCHKO INJURY OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted on | September 12, 2007 | No Comments
For Immediate Release
KLITSCHKO FIGHT AGAINST MCCLINE CANCELLED DUE TO SURGERY
Innsbruck/Hamburg, September 11 – The boxing match between Vitali Klitschko (36) and American boxer Jameel McCline(37), scheduled for September 22nd in Munich , has been cancelled, as the Ukrainian boxer has just undergone surgery for a herniated disc.
Last weekend Klitschko suffered an acute herniated disc at his training camp in Going , Austria , necessitating immediate surgery. The emergency surgery was performed late Saturday night at the University Clinic in Innsbruck . According to the attending physician Prof. Dr. Twerdy, “the operation was a complete success, but obviously Mr. Klitschko will not be able to compete in a match in two weeks. After 4 to 6 weeks of rehabilitation, Vitali Klitschko will be able to start training again.”
Vitali Klitschko: “This is unbelievably bad luck. I’ve been in intense preparations for 9 weeks, had no problems whatsoever, and then a disc goes and slips in my last week of training. I was in prime shape, and was looking forward so much to my match. I feel especially bad for our TV partners RTL and Showtime as well as for my fans who were looking forward to the broadcast or who had bought tickets for the match in Munich .”
Klitschko’s coach Fritz Sdunek said: “Vitali was in such good shape. Many representatives of the press were able to see for themselves at the press training session last week. He was completely relaxed and at the same level he was at when he was champion. This is really an incredible blow for Vitali, but he must hang in there now and think positive. I’m sure that we will soon see Vitali in the ring again despite this temporary setback.”
Said Davaryl Williamson, Vitali’s chief sparring partner: “Vitali was in great shape when I arrived in the training camp in Austria and he looked to be back to a world class level in sparring.”
Vitali Klitschko will be released from the clinic in Innsbruck today and will return to Hamburg .
EXPERT POLLSTERS PICK RUA TO BEAT LAWLER
Posted on | September 12, 2007 | No Comments
HOW THEY PICK ’EM: EXPERTS LIKE NINJA RUA
TO BEAT ROBBIE LAWLER AND RETAIN ELITEXC TITLE
~ SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 2007 ~
ELITEXC ON SHOWTIME
HONOLULU (Sept. 12, 2007) – In a sensational main event on a spectacular cage fight card this Saturday, Sept. 15 at Blaisdell Arena on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), talented, exciting Murilo “Ninja” Rua will make his first EliteXC middleweight title defense against hard-hitting, crowd-pleasing ICON Sport titleholder, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.
.
In other televised bouts, scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds: Nick Diaz faces Mike Aina, Jake Shields takes on Renato “Charuto” Verissimo. Gina Carano collides with Tonya Evinger and Joey Villasenor meets Riki Fukuda.
Immediately following the SHOWTIME telecast, additional undercard fights will be streamed live on the Internet on the premier mixed martial arts social networking and entertainment site, ProElite.com.
So who is going to triumph in the featured attraction in “Uprising’’ — the biggest MMA event in the history of Hawaii and the initial collaboration between Los Angeles-based ProElite’s respected live fight division, EliteXC, and Hawaii-based promoters and former rivals, ICON Sport and ROTR (Rumble On The Rock) and SHOWTIME?
The experts expect what figures to be a hotly contested five round, 5-minute fight to be close.
Of the 11 MMA media sorts who participated in an EliteXC/SHOWTIME Prediction Poll, seven picked Rua and four took Lawler.
Here’s how they see the evenly matched Rua-Lawler EliteXC title fight:
Todd Martin, SI.com, (Rua): “Ninja will have to be careful to avoid Lawler’s explosive punching power, but if he can do that he should be in good shape. Ninja possesses more tools than Lawler, and looks refocused and rededicated to MMA. I see him winning via TKO in the second or third round.’’
Scott White, MMAOnTap.com, (Lawler): “Lawler has shown improved cardio in his past few fights along with excellent power and striking skills. He will prove to be too much for Ninja on the feet and will score a stoppage via strikes partway through the second.’’
Gary Herman, 15rounds.com, (Rua): “Ninja will be too big for Lawler to overpower. Therefore, Rua will dictate where the fight goes, and Rua is much better on the ground then the slugging Lawler. Rua wins by second-round submission.’’
Jatinder Dhoot, www.theMMAdigest.com, (Lawler): “Both fighters are on a roll, winning three straight and finishing all of their opponents. Rua is dangerous in all areas, but Lawler is coming into this fight with loads of momentum, picking up the biggest win of his career over Frank Trigg via KO in his last bout. The fact that Lawler was pushed into the fourth round was a good experience for him, and will serve him well if this battle with Rua moves into the championship rounds. Lawler may be relocating to Matt Hughes’ new academy in Illinois, but as long as that shift is not a distraction and he’s completely focused and in peak condition, he should be able to translate his much heralded skill and power into a victory.’’
Ann Marie Lynch, MMA Today, (Rua): “Ninja wins by KO. Lawler’s not even in the same class as this kid, who is, in short, an outstanding fighter.’’
Holli Yargo Hearne, www.fightnewsunlimited.com, (Rua): “Rua will win if Lawler doesn’t come prepared with excellent takedowns defense and sharp submission defense. Both are outstanding fighters but I see Rua winning by submission.’’
John Chandler, MMAOnTap.com, (Lawler): “Both Lawler and Rua have a solid chance to win. It is going to come down to the fighter that is able to impose his will on the other. Rua has the obvious advantage on the ground and he would be smart to take the fight there early and often. Lawler sports the better striking ability, but Rua showed in his last fight against Joey Villasenor that his hands are to be feared as well. Ultimately, I think that the temptation to stand and trade with Lawler will be Rua’s downfall. Lawler wins by KO.’’
Steven Hay, MMAFighting.com, (Rua): “Rua is well-rounded and has the style that should be able to neutralize Lawler’s game, but you can never count Lawler out — he’s one of the most serious threats when it comes to knockouts.’’
Casey Trowbridge, www.combat-hooligans.com, (Rua): “I’m looking forward to this fight. It will be exciting and really could go either way. Both are tremendous fighters and neither winning would be a shock. Rua, however, is better on the ground and his standup is better than he’s given credit. Rua wins by third-round submission.’’
David M Singer, MMAOnTap.com, (Lawler): “Each fighter is coming into this fight on a three-fight winning streak. Lawler’s last couple fights going long give him the recent experience he’ll need in a fight that has the potential to go past round three. Lawler wins by late KO/TKO.’’
Nick Solomon, Jabsngrabs.com (Rua): “Lawler-Rua should be a great fight as they are both young, aggressive fighters, who want to prove that they are the best in their weight class. The winner will be the one who can get the other to fight the fight that suits them best. If Lawler can get Rua to stand in the center and trade, it could be a very bad night for Ninja and Lawler will likely return to Iowa with two titles in tow. However, if Rua can play the striking game long enough to catch Lawler off guard, the Brazilian might be able to secure a takedown, and then apply a submission hold for the victory. Intuition tells me that Ninja is going back to Brazil with two belts. However, it might just be Lawler’s time. That’s what makes this sport so great: you never know who is going to have their hand raised at the end of the night.’’
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. 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.
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