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World Series Of Fighting 2 Card Finalized For March 23rd Event

Press Release – REVEL BEACH, N.J. (Mar. 5, 2013) – World Series of Fighting announced exciting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) undercard action today, featuring local product Kris McCray (8-4) of Toms River, N.J. in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap against battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, […]

Press Release – REVEL BEACH, N.J. (Mar. 5, 2013) – World Series of Fighting announced exciting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) undercard action today, featuring local product Kris McCray (8-4) of Toms River, N.J. in a middleweight (185 pounds) scrap against battle-tested Danillo “Indio” Villefort (13-4) of Coconut Creek, Fla., and Waylon Lowe (13-4) of Philadelphia, Pa. squaring off with Cameron Dollar (11-4) of Colorado Springs, Colo. in a featherweight (145 pounds) tilt, from Ovation Hall at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, March 23.

No strangers to Atlantic City, having fought there nine times (combined) professionally, Ozzy Dugulubgov (3-1) of Hackensack, N.J. will go up against undefeated prospect Chris Wade (5-0) of Long Island, N.Y. in a catchweight (160 pounds) bout.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and welterweight (170 pounds) upstart Igor Gracie (5-3) of Rio de Janeiro will face Rich Patishnock (4-1) of Whippany, N.J.

The six-bout preliminary card will be topped by a featherweight collision between streaking Duke Roufus protégé Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn (12-2) of Milwaukee, Wisc., and undefeated submission specialist Alexandre “Pulga” Pimentel (12-0) of Rio de Janeiro.

A stacked main card will be televised live on NBC Sports Network, headlined by the heavyweight showdown between superstars Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (19-9) of Minsk, Belarus and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (15-3) of Boca Raton, Fla.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) co-main event, red-hot 29-year-old star Tyson Nam (12-4) of Portland, Ore., will face off with two-time national Muay Thai champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Marlon Moraes (9-4) of Jupiter, Fla., via Nova Friburgo, Brazil.

“We are excited to bring the World Series of Fighting brand of MMA to Atlantic City, where some of the greatest fights in history have taken place,” said World Series of Fighting President and six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo. “Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson and Marlon Moraes are all coming off superb performances on our inaugural fight card, and Tyson Nam has been on fire of late, so we felt that it was essential to showcase these stars at the top of our first card on the East Coast.”

Also slated for action on the five-bout TV card are welterweight sensation Josh Burkman (24-9) of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will collide with former UFC star Aaron “A-Train” Simpson (12-4) of Phoenix, Ariz., and former PRIDE Fighting Championships superstar and WEC champion Paulo Filho (23-4) of Rio de Janeiro, who will face off with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt David Branch (11-3) of Brooklyn, N.Y., in a middleweight bout.

Explosive finisher J.Z. Cavalcante (16-6) of Deerfield Beach, Fla., via Brazil, will take on unbeaten, emerging star Justin Gaethje (7-0) of Greeley, Colo., at lightweight (155 pounds).

Coming off his second consecutive victory, a unanimous decision over Mike “300″ Hayes Dec. 16, Arlovski, a 33-year-old, 6-foot-4-inch, former UFC heavyweight champion, shined in the main event of the inaugural World Series of Fighting card Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, crumbling fellow power puncher Devin Cole with a barrage of blows in the first round (2:37).

Likewise, the 28-year-old, 6-foot-2-inch Johnson dominated D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman in the first-ever World Series of Fighting co-main event, scoring a first-round (3:58) KO of Linderman with a punch. The victory was Johnson’s fourth straight.

Nam made waves Aug. 25 when he pulled off a stunning upset on reigning Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas, scoring a first-round (1:36) KO (punch) in a non-title bout in Brazil. Nam will put a four-fight win streak on the line in his World Series of Fighting debut.

The 24-year-old Moraes shocked the world on the first World Series of Fighting card, beating former WEC champion Miguel Torres to the punch repeatedly for the majority of three rounds en route to being being awarded a split decision victory. The win was Moraes’ third straight.

Tickets, priced from $39, are on sale and available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000) and at Ticketmaster.com.

Doors at Ovation Hall at Revel will open at 5:30 p.m. EST and the first preliminary card bout will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The live NBC Sports Network telecast of the World Series of Fighting event will begin at 9:30 p.m. EST/6:30 p.m. PST.

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING
Based in Las Vegas, Nev., the fight capital of the world, World Series of Fighting (“WSOF”) is a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight promotion dedicated to delivering an incredible, action-packed entertainment experience for fight fans by producing the best possible matchups between elite fighters from around the globe. For more information please visit www.WSOF.com. Follow World Series of Fighting on Twitter @MMAWorldSeries and World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo @SugarRaySefo.

ABOUT REVEL
Revel is smoke-free and features more than 1,800 rooms with sweeping ocean views. A member of the American Express Gold Hotel Collection, the resort houses a 130,000-square-foot casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, electronic tables and a Poker Room. Designed to embrace its natural surroundings, Revel curates a collection of daylife and nightlife experiences crafted to bring the outside in and the inside out. Indoor and outdoor pools, gardens, lounges, and a 32,000-square-foot spa provide guests with a relaxing resort, while an outstanding collection of 14 restaurant concepts from award-wining chefs and restaurateurs, live entertainment featuring marquee acts and international artists, nightclubs, a casino that feels like a theatre and a collection of boutiques in The Row tailor to each guest’s passions. Revel was most recently named one of the Best Hotels in the Northeast by Amtrak’s Arrive magazine and one of the Top 10 Best New Hotels in the U.S. by Gayot.com.

To start your Revel journey, visit www.revelresorts.com. To receive the latest updates on Revel, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/revel and follow @revelresorts on Twitter and Instagram. Revel is located on the Boardwalk at Revel Blvd in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS NETWORK
NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in nearly 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Caught Looking, NBC Sports Talk, and Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

UFC 161 Official For June 15 At The MTS Centre In Winnipeg, Canada

Press Release – Toronto, Canada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization continued its expansion into new Canadian markets today,officially announcing its first‐ever event in Winnipeg, Manitoba with UFC 161. The event will take place on June 15, 2013, at the MTS Centre, a 15,000-seat venue that is home to the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets. […]

Press Release – Toronto, Canada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization continued its expansion into new Canadian markets today,officially announcing its first?ever event in Winnipeg, Manitoba with UFC 161. The event will take place on June 15, 2013, at the MTS Centre, a 15,000-seat venue that is home to the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets.

“Canadians love their MMA and we love bringing it to them,” said UFC® President Dana White. “There are many Canadian cities on our radar and we hope to visit as many as possible. We’re excited to make Winnipeg happen and can’t wait to bring a stacked card to the MTS Centre.”

The Winnipeg event is part of the UFC®’s ongoing Canadian commitment, which will see three global events taking place in Canada each year between 2012-2014. The UFC® visits Montreal on March 16 with UFC® 158: ST.PIERRE vs. DIAZ while it will also visit Toronto this coming September. Winnipeg now becomes the fifth Canadian city to host a UFC® event as the organization has also hosted events in Calgary and Vancouver.

“We’re proud to add Winnipeg to our list of Canadian UFC cities,” said Tom Wright, UFC® Director of Operations for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. “The city has an impressive résumé in terms of teams including the Jets and Bombers as well as major events such as the Grey Cup and Pan Am Games. We can’t wait for Winnipeg to experience the UFC.”

Tickets for UFC® 161 will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 12. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers on Thursday, April 11. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com. Also, UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event on Wednesday, April 10 via the website ufcfightclub.com. The full UFC® 161 fight card, along with ticket information, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since 2008, the UFC® has hosted 11 Canadian events (not including UFC® 158 slated for March 16) with each experiencing tremendous success. Collectively, the events have seen more than 200,000 fans in attendance and millions worldwide watching on Pay-Per-View. In addition, the four host cities to date – Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto – have had a cumulative gross gate of almost $50M and millions more in direct economic impact.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

UFC® 161 will be available live onPay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed,can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 145 countries, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ, and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

Cage Warriors Signs Che Mills To Five-Fight Contract

Press Release – London, England (March 4, 2013) – CAGE Warriors Fighting Championship has secured the signature of top English welterweight Che Mills. The UFC veteran has put pen to paper on an exclusive five-fight contract, committing his immediate future to the organisation. Mills (15-5-0-2nc) has spent the last two years of his career with […]

Press Release – London, England (March 4, 2013) – CAGE Warriors Fighting Championship has secured the signature of top English welterweight Che Mills.

The UFC veteran has put pen to paper on an exclusive five-fight contract, committing his immediate future to the organisation.

Mills (15-5-0-2nc) has spent the last two years of his career with the UFC, where he clocked up a 2-1-0-1 record.

The 30-year-old Gloucester native made a winning start to his UFC career in November 2011, picking up a KO of the Night bonus after taking just 40 seconds to dispose of Chris Cope.

In his only official UFC defeat, Mills suffered a second-round TKO loss to fourth-ranked welterweight Rory McDonald last April but rebounded with a win over Duane Ludwig in Nottingham in September.

At UFC on Fuel TV 7 at London’s Wembley Arena last month, Mills was beaten by Matt Riddle by split decision, but the result was later overturned as a ‘no contest’ after Riddle failed a drug test.

“Che Mills is the best UK welterweight outside of the UFC at the moment so I’m extremely happy that he has decided to come on board,” said Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan.

“A fighter of his calibre wouldn’t have been short of offers but the fact that Che has opted to sign for Cage Warriors is proof that the guy is determined to return to the top. I have no doubt that he’ll get there too.

“I’m a big fan of Che Mills. When the UFC recently released a bunch of guys, Che was the one I really wanted to bring in. He comes from a great camp and is always exciting to watch.

“As is the case with all fighters, I believe Cage Warriors is the perfect platform to help Che to achieve his goals and show the world that they still haven’t seen the best of him.”

A contestant on season nine of The Ultimate Fighter, Mills previously fought for CWFC in October 2010, when he scored a unanimous decision win over fellow UFC veteran Jake Hecht at Cage Warriors 38. He also holds two notable wins over Bellator star Marius Zaromskis.

Che Mills will make his return to Cage Warriors action in the coming months. Details of his next bout will be released shortly.

UFC on FUEL TV Postfight Show Quotes For Silva vs. Stann

Press Release – LOS ANGELES, CA – The following quotes are from tonight’s UFC ON FUEL TV POSTFIGHT SHOW ON FUEL TV for FUEL TV 8: SILVA VS. STANN. The show was hosted by Jay Glazer, with UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen and #3 ranked middleweight Michael Bisping offering analysis. Gareth A. Davies conducted […]

Press Release – LOS ANGELES, CA – The following quotes are from tonight’s UFC ON FUEL TV POSTFIGHT SHOW ON FUEL TV for FUEL TV 8: SILVA VS. STANN. The show was hosted by Jay Glazer, with UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen and #3 ranked middleweight Michael Bisping offering analysis. Gareth A. Davies conducted fighter interviews on-site.

Quote of the show: Silva on a big win in Japan: “I’m so proud. Thanks Dana White. Thanks UFC for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I’m proud to fight for you. My corner told me to go for a straight punch, and I’m glad to win in Japan.”

UFC ON FUEL TV 8 POSTFIGHT SHOW ON FUEL TV Analyst Chael Sonnen on Wanderlei Silva beating Brian Stann: “This could have been Wanderlei’s last fight, and it most likely in fairness, it would have been had he not had this incredible performance. Not only does he get a win, not only does he stop a guy in Japan, but he stops Brian Stann who’s a top 10 fighter. Granted, from a different weight they’ve both moved up, but that’s till a top 10 opponent.”

UFC ON FUEL TV 8 POSTFIGHT SHOW ON FUEL TV Analyst Michael Bisping on Silva retirement rumors: “There no way Wanderlei can go after that performance. It proves he still has a lot left in the tank. Brian Stann is one hell of a fighter. Amazing performance, but what a knock-out.”

Sonnen on Silva retirement rumors: “I don’t where Wanderlei goes from here. He won’t be forced into retiring, but I’d love to see a guy go out on top. I think he loves to fight and we’re going to see ten more out of him – but maybe this isn’t time to go. This is a huge win.”

Silva on winning over Brian Stann: “Brian Stann is a tough guy and a great opponent. I’m so happy to fight guys like him, because this is the kind of fighting I love to do. Thank you Brian Stann for taking this fight and making it a great show for the fans.”

Brian Stann on the fight: “I knew what I had to risk when I signed on the dotted line next to that man. Wanderlei has always been one of my favorite fighters ever. He’s one of the fighters that inspired me to start this sport. I’m very proud to have been part of his career. As much as this hurts right now, I’m still proud that I put my name on the line and I fought him.”

Sonen on who he wants Silva to fight next: “I want to see Silva against Vinny Magalhaes. I think it’s a great fight and I know Vinny wants it.”

Bisping on who he wants Silva to fight next: “I think he should take on Glover Teixeira.”

Sonnen on Mark Hunt winning over Stefan Struve: “This is the mismatch of the night. Whoever can get to the target is going to be the most successful striker and it was Hunt all night long. He just picked Struve apart.”

Hunt on his win: “It was a great fight. My timing was off and I could have put things together better, but I was glad to take the win.”

Hunt on if he should be in line for the title fight: “Of course I would like to go for the title fight. I’ll take Bigfoot, or anyone in the top 10.”

Sonnen on Diego Sanchez defeating Takanori Gomi: “This is the best Japanese boxer I’ve ever seen in mixed martial arts. This is a very close fight. They gave it to Diego in a split decision. I strongly disagree with that call.”

Sanchez on returning from the injury list: “I feel fortunate to be off the injury list and back in the Octagon doing what I love. I don’t think this victory was given to me, I think I earned it.”

Sanchez on who he wants to fight next: “Nate Diaz. I want to be the first one to say I beat both the Diaz brothers. I got the big brother, I want the little one next.”

Sonnen on Yushin Okami’s win over Hector Lombard: “Okami comes out and tries to take on a bronze medalist in Judo. It was a split decision, but that is wrong. It was a very clear two rounds to one. He’s a master fighter.”

Bisping on Lombard’s performance: “Even though we have a history, I was impressed with Hector Lombard in the third round because he fought with a sense of urgency. I’ve got to say he impressed me with that.”

Okami on who he wants to fight next: “Michael Bisping.”

For a complete listing of FUEL TV shows, go to: http://www.fuel.tv/schedule. For more information, go to www.fuel.tv/ufc and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/fueltv. Follow @FUELTV on Twitter for all things #UFC157.

Follow the talent on Twitter at: @JayGlazer; @sonnench; @Bisping; @GarethADaviesDT.

To get FUEL TV, go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv, or call 877-4 FUEL-TV.

Spike TV Launches Co-Viewing App For Bellator MMA

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (February 28, 2013) – Spike TV is launching “Bellator MMA” for iPad, iPhone, and iTouch, as fans can experience mixed martial arts like never before with the world’s most advanced co-viewing MMA app. The app is available on the App Store on Thursday, February 28, with an Android version […]

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (February 28, 2013) – Spike TV is launching “Bellator MMA” for iPad, iPhone, and iTouch, as fans can experience mixed martial arts like never before with the world’s most advanced co-viewing MMA app. The app is available on the App Store on Thursday, February 28, with an Android version coming soon to Google Play.

When the Bellator cage door closes and the gloves touch, the innovative app works in concert with the live Spike broadcast to supply real-time fight data to fans that is only available through the app. Developed from the ground up to make watching live fights more immersive, viewers will have the unique ability to track both expansive fighter analytics and participate in the on-air broadcast. As The 4th Judge, fans can score rounds with the help of real-time statistics powered by CompuStrike, a service providing data in 26 categories from arm strikes to submission attempts.

“The Bellator app is truly the first of its kind. It allows our passionate fans to experience the fight as a virtual fourth judge – creating a level of immersion that’s unparalleled in any sport,” said Jon Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports and Multiplatform Events, Spike TV.

“At Bellator, we continually look for new ways to connect with our fans in a more meaningful way,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “This innovative app will resonate with our first-adopter audience who will feel closer to the action than ever before.”

Fan input doesn’t end with the app. As The 4th Judge, viewers will be able to have their opinions known during the live telecast. The Bellator broadcast team of Jimmy Smith and Sean Wheelock will announce the results of viewers’ polling to see how fan opinion compares to their own as well as the official cageside judges. (The 4th Judge voting will not factor in the actual judges’ decisions).

The app features historical statistic breakdowns for every fighter, pre-fight fan picks, and Favorite Fight polling which will be sharable via social networks. The Bellator MMA app also gives fans the opportunity to watch exclusive videos, and dig deep into fighter biographies. Bellator MMA airs live on Spike TV Thursday nights at 10:00pm ET/PT from venues all across North America, featuring many of the world’s best mixed martial arts fighters.

Spike TV partnered with award-winning Omnigon Communications, a digital solutions company specializing in the sports, media and entertainment industries, to create the app.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA

About Bellator MMA

Bellator MMA is the world’s largest tournament based Mixed Martial Arts organization. Televised to nearly 500 Million homes worldwide in over 107 countries, Bellator’s majority owner is entertainment giant Viacom. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. With over 150 world-class athletes under contract, Bellator is home to many of the sport’s top mixed martial artists. Bellator’s founder & CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment executive with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator’s core philosophy is that title shots should be earned, not given. This belief gave rise to Bellator’s real sport, tournament-based format, which gives Bellator’s tournaments a true playoff feel that keeps the sport true and distances itself from the subjective side of fighting sports found in organizations that utilize a matchmaking/casting formula. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Newport Beach, California.

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

About mun2

mun2 is the leading Hispanic cable network for young millennial adults 18-34. From reality to music, on-air to digital, mun2 creates original content that resonates across a multi-screen platform. Young, vibrant and unabashedly Latino, mun2 has a distribution to over 38 million households. The network is part of Telemundo Media, a division of NBCUniversal.

Ryan Benoit Brands Opponent As Not Well-Rounded Ahead Of MFC 37 Bantamweight Match

Press Release – Ryan Benoit may be dubbed “Baby Face” because of his age and youthful looks but he fully grasps the meaning of an age-old adage. The sentiment “Jack of all trades … Master of nothing” goes a long way to describing Benoit’s feeling towards his upcoming opponent, Anthony Birchak, whom he’ll meet at […]

Press Release – Ryan Benoit may be dubbed “Baby Face” because of his age and youthful looks but he fully grasps the meaning of an age-old adage.

The sentiment “Jack of all trades … Master of nothing” goes a long way to describing Benoit’s feeling towards his upcoming opponent, Anthony Birchak, whom he’ll meet at MFC 37: True Grit in the Maximum Fighting Championship’s very first major bantamweight bout.

Benoit respects Birchak’s talents. He just doesn’t feel there’s much depth to any of his skills.

“He’s a respectable opponent, but I’ve watched him before and I don’t think he’s all that much,” said Benoit (Twitter: @babyfacebenoit).

“He’s fought some tough dudes but he’s never fought anybody like me.”

Well-rounded is something Benoit takes pride in, yet his philosophy goes beyond the standard level of acceptance for the term. The 23-year-old from Dallas, Texas, is a firm believer that there are, in fact, two distinct levels of being well-rounded.

Essentially, there’s well-rounded, and then there’s really well-rounded.

“I’m what I consider well-rounded. Birchak seems OK at everything but not especially good at anything,” declared Benoit.

“If you want to compete in a straight stand-up fight, I’ll do very well at that. I actually think his striking is his weakness so if he wants to test me on the feet I’m more than ready for that. I’ve wrestled at a high level and he’s not going to stop me with that. He can’t take me down.

“He’s going to see some things that he never expected. He might be well-rounded but not what I’d call well-rounded. He’s not well-rounded enough.”

Benoit (6-1) will square-off against Birchak (9-1) in the semi-main event of MFC 37 airing live on AXS TV Fights on Friday, May 10 from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The televised card launches at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).

After honing his well-rounded craft in Texas, Benoit is eager to make his first appearance in the Maximum Fighting Championship ring, and he’s squarely targeted getting past Birchak en route to becoming the MFC’s inaugural bantamweight champ.

“I’m super excited because I’ve wanted to be in the MFC for a long time. It’s a high-level promotion, definitely one of the top ones in the world,” said Benoit.

“This door is now open and it’s like a dream come true. I want to go through even bigger doors and I’m really viewing this opportunity as a chance to really expand myself and have more and more people know who I am.”

And while wrestling is certainly Benoit’s fallback area of expertise, he’s made it clear that fighting with a more electrifying approach is much more to his liking. Lay-and-pray is absolutely not in the game plan.

“I’ve developed a Chuck Liddell style,” he explained. “Definitely wrestling is my background and it’s my comfort zone, but I love to strike and I like to kick a lot. I think you’ll see I’m pretty explosive on my feet.”

Tickets for MFC 37: True Grit are on sale now and available via www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.