Chael Sonnen at the 2011 Fighters Only World MMA Awards – Image by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America
Press Release – LAS VEGAS – Fighters Only, the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) magazine, is proud to announce the most outspoken man in mixed martial arts, Chael Sonnen, will return as host, along with Molly Qerim of CBS, for the fifth Fighters Only World MMA Awards ceremony.
Sonnen, the soon-to-be three-time UFC world title challenger, and CBS sports anchor Qerim presented last year’s Awards and received rave reviews from fans, and so they return for this year’s show, which goes back to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday 11th January 2013.
“Chael did a fantastic job as host last year and we are elated to be able to work with him again,” says Rob Hewitt, President and CEO of Fighters Only. “The commanding presence of Chael combined with the beauty and skill of Molly make the perfect partnership as hosts and we feel sure that they will make this years show even more entertaining.”
Despite currently filming an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, where he will challenge rival coach Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight championship at the show’s end, Sonnen will take time out from the gym to front the most glamorous night in mixed martial arts.
Devised to celebrate success and achievement within the MMA industry, the Fighters Only Awards gives fans across the globe the opportunity to cast their vote on which athletes, brands and industry professionals
have made the greatest impact on the sport over the previous 12 months. Voting is now open at www.worldmmaawards.com across 21 award categories including: ‘Fight of the Year,’ ‘Knockout of the Year’ and ‘Submission of the Year.’ An additional ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award will also be presented to a surprise recipient during the live ceremony.
The incredible success of last year’s event saw a relative “who’s who” of MMA take to the red carpet, and the Fighters Only Awards is set to return even bigger and better this year. The black-tie event is sponsored by Bodybuilding.com, the internet’s most visited health and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements; along with Sandee (a Fightshop.com brand), the manufacturer of the world’s toughest combat sports equipment and the second-oldest Muay Thai brand in the world; as well as Infinite Labs, one of the fastest-growing, research-based sports nutrition brands in the athletic industry.
Fan tickets are selling out fast, priced just $35 each, and can be bought from www.ticketmaster.com or at The Joint’s box office. VIP tickets will also be made available for sale via Fighters Only. Please inquire directly for more information.
The website www.worldmmaawards.com is open and taking votes, but, in addition, fans may download a free iPhone application, making voting even easier and ensuring maximum response and the most accurate selection of winners.
For further details on Fighters Only, the Awards sponsors, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and other essential information, please see below.
About Fighters Only:
Fighters Only was the world’s first mixed martial arts magazine and now produces domestic versions of its publication in the UK, US, Canada, Mexico, Germany and South Africa. The UK edition is nearing its seventh anniversary and outsells any other combat sports magazine in its sector, while also exporting copies into a further 32 countries worldwide.
In December 2009, Fighters Only held the sport’s first live ‘Oscars’-style awards ceremony at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The show was aired live via the internet and then nationally on US and Canadian television by Versus, and internationally in China, Brazil and on Scandinavian TV. Fighters Only is also the publisher of the sport’s only MMA fitness magazine, Train Hard Fight Easy, which together with Fighters Only has its own iPad version available for download via iTunes.
About Bodybuilding.com:
Bodybuilding.com offers more than 8,000 health & fitness supplements and accessories to help over 7.3 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals. This online powerhouse gives users more than 34,000 pages of FREE information, including more than 25,000 articles and 9,000 videos, expert online trainers and new content added daily.
Bodybuilding.com also provides the most hardcore MMA training programs, from nutrition and supplementation to tips from the most ripped and intense fighters on the mat. With live interviews, step-by- step videos, and all the tools you need for a competitive edge, it’s a one-stop shop for victorious domination.
About Sandee, a Fightshop.com Brand:
Sandee is one of the world’s oldest Muay Thai equipment brands, which has produced some of the toughest, most reliable and hard-wearing combat sports equipment available for over 35 years. All the Muay Thai equipment is handmade by skilled leatherworkers using only the best raw materials available. Decades of experience goes into the manufacture of every piece of Sandee equipment making it the equipment of choice for some of mixed martial arts’ biggest names including Mike Bisping, Cheick Kongo and Ross Pearson. Fueled by recent significant growth, Sandee is now embarking on an accelerated international expansion plan of its current distribution network.
The Sandee brand is part of a UK-based organization, Fightshop.com. With its own e-commerce platform and distribution network around the UK and Europe, the company is the official distributor and licensee of some of MMA’s leading brands.
About Infinite Labs:
Infinite Labs is a diligent supplement company fully committed to the Infinite creed, ‘Innovation that exceeds expectation.’ With a presence in 35 countries and an expanding worldwide consumer base, Infinite Labs is evolving into one of the fastest-growing, research-based brands in the athletic industry. Infinite Labs reinvented itself in 2009 with the goal of generating formulas that are unique, advanced and cutting- edge while still providing unparalleled customer service.
The company prides itself in developing superior supplement lines that promote all types of fitness goals, including muscle gain, weight loss, performance enhancement and healthy lifestyle maintenance. With the addition of their High Performance Series, essentials, testosterone and MMA fighter’s line, Infinite Labs set itself apart by targeting every type of individual with the goal of advancing their quality of living.
About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:
Situated on 26 acres in Las Vegas, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a premier destination entertainment resort. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in early 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel.
The fifth awards ceremony will take place in The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel’s premier entertainment space, which boasts a state-of-the-art sound system that delivers an unforgettable live music experience to the intimate 4,000-capacity venue. With a commitment to remarkable sound, The Joint has earned a reputation as one of the most authentic venues in Las Vegas.