Press Release – HOBOKEN, New Jersey (August 24, 2011) — FIGHT NOW TV TM — America’s only 24-hour combat sports and entertainment channel – announced today that it has acquired the exclusive library and new-event rights to Extreme Challenge MMA (“EC”).
Founded in 1995 by well-known manager and promoter Monte Cox, EC is the second-longest running MMA event in North America and has produced and co-produced more than 600 events under the EC banner.
Based out of Bettendorf, Iowa, the Midwest promotional company has served as a launching pad for many outstanding MMA careers, including those of stars such as Pat Miletich, Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin, Tim Sylvia, Sean Sherk, Dave Menne, Jens Pulver, Robbie Lawler and Jeremy Horn, to name a few who got their start with Extreme Challenge MMA.
Other notable names that have been a part of the organization over the years are Dan Severn, Houston Alexander, Jeff Curran, Evan Tanner, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Travis Fulton, Alan Goes, Shonie Carter, Joe Doerksen and many more.
EC also has been the proving ground for then up-and-coming fighters such as Ben Rothwell, Nik Lentz, Mike Russow and Jake Ellenberger.
“Monte Cox is a well-respected person throughout the sport of MMA,” said Mike Garrow, General Manager of FIGHT NOW TV. “Not only has Monte helped to guide the careers for many of today’s biggest stars, he also continues to be hands-on every month with his team at Extreme Challenge, providing safe, well-managed and competitive events for new talent across the country. We look forward to showcasing both new events for EC and The Best of Extreme Challenge series, which we have been developing with Monte.”
“We are looking forward to working with FIGHT NOW TV,” Cox remarked. “Not only will FIGHT NOW TV be able to provide a consistent home for our new events going forward, but it has taken great care and interest in working with us to create a unique series based on our rich library, allowing MMA fans special opportunities to go back in time to watch some of the first matches for Pat Miletich, Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin, in addition to other interesting match-ups that took place over the years under Extreme Challenge.”
Extreme Challenge 188 airs this Friday (August 26), starting at 10 PM/ET, as part of the FIGHT NOW TV “Every Night a Different FIGHT” line- up.
The 13-part Best of Extreme Challenge series is scheduled to debut in the late fall of 2011. Check-out www.fightnow.com for airing details in the weeks ahead.
About FIGHT NOW TV: With offices in New Jersey, Las Vegas and Toronto, FIGHT NOW TV is a cross-platform media company that creates and distributes content through its television, video on demand, and online outlets.
Founded by Channel Zero, Inc and media entrepreneur Mike Garrow and launched earlier this year, FIGHT NOW TV is thefirst 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week combat sports channel, bringing the best battles, fiercest fights and stunning knockouts to America. FIGHT NOW TV caters to fight fans of every genre, giving them a front row seat to compelling coverage of MMA, boxing, wrestling/grappling, Muay Thai, kickboxing and other combat sports. FIGHT NOW is the place for the best analysis, live and current events, documentaries and news coverage of the biggest PPV events and match-ups from around the globe.
FIGHT NOW TV has also enlisted one of the fight game’s biggest names to join its camp, former UFC champion and MMA legendRandy Couture, who serves as both spokesperson and analyst for the channel.
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About Extreme Challenge MMA: Veteran MMA promoter and manager Monte Cox founded Extreme Challenge MMA in 1995 and has staged nearly 600 events, featuring his flagship Extreme Challenge. Universally recognized as one of the world’s most successful fight managers, Cox has produced a record seven UFC world champions. He has been called “the gold standard” of managers by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, as well as the industry benchmark for MMA promoters. Cox has been featured and quoted in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and numerous industry publications.
For more information about FIGHT NOW TV go on line at www.fightnow.com, or follow on Twitter@fightnowtv and Facebook.com/fightnowtv.