Tag: Press Release

Bellator 85 Weigh-ins Scheduled For This Wednesday

Press Release – Newport Beach, California. (January 14, 2013) —The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMA will take place Wednesday at 5:00 P.M. PST inside Irvine’s Bren Center, located at 100 Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA 92697. Bellator MMA will take place at Irvine’s Bren Center on Thursday, January 17th with the first […]

Press Release – Newport Beach, California. (January 14, 2013) —The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMA will take place Wednesday at 5:00 P.M. PST inside Irvine’s Bren Center, located at 100 Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA 92697. Bellator MMA will take place at Irvine’s Bren Center on Thursday, January 17th with the first fight taking place at 5 p.m. PST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 7 p.m. PST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

All participants from Friday night’s event will be on hand, including Bellator Featherweight Champion Pat Curran, Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler, along with title challengers Patricio Pitbull and Rick Hawn.

The event will be emceed by Bellator cage announcer Michael C. Williams and Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith.

As always the weigh-in is open to both the public and media.

The full fight card is listed below:

MAIN CARD:
Bellator Featherweight Championship Fight: Pat Curran (17-4) vs. Patricio Pitbull (17-1)
Bellator Lightweight Championship Fight: Michael Chandler (10-0) vs. Rick Hawn (14-1)
Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal Fight: Mikhail Zayats (19-6) vs. Babalu Sobral (37-9)

PRELIMINARY CARD:
Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal Fight: Seth Petruzelli (14-6) vs. Jacob Noe (9-1)
Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal Fight: Emanuel Newton (18-7) vs. Atanas Djambazov (17-2)
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Hector Ramirez (9-4) vs. Jason Lambert (24-13)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Aaron Miller (12-8) vs. Joe Camacho (13-17)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Joe Williams (7-1) vs. Jamie Yager (6-3)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Savant Young (10-9) vs. Mike Guymon (14-5)
Catchweight Feature Fight(165 lbs.): Brian Warren(18-15) vs. J.J. Ambrose (17-4)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Mario Navarro(4-2) vs. Cleber Luciano(7-4)

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/Bellator

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, 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 Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of 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.

Bellator Announces Pairings For Season 8 Lightweight Tournament

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (January 11th, 2013) – The tournament field is set as Bellator MMA has announced today the final tournament pairings in the Season 8 Lightweight Bracket. Emanating from Michigan’s Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort on January 31, submission ace Ricardo Tirloni will battle the undefeated Will Brooks in the quarterfinals […]

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (January 11th, 2013) – The tournament field is set as Bellator MMA has announced today the final tournament pairings in the Season 8 Lightweight Bracket. Emanating from Michigan’s Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort on January 31, submission ace Ricardo Tirloni will battle the undefeated Will Brooks in the quarterfinals of the Bellator MMA Lightweight Tournament live on Spike.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at StarTickets.com, Bellator.com and The Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Box Office. Tickets are priced from $20-$65. The event will broadcast LIVE starting at 10 p.m. EST on Spike, as well as in Spanish language on mun2. The preliminary card will be streamed LIVE and FREE on Spike.com starting at 8 p.m. EST.

Brooks joins Bellator fresh of a brutal knockout of longtime MMA veteran Satoru Kitaoka, who holds notable victories over Carlos Condit, Paul Daley, and Takanori Gomi. Currently splitting time between his Chicago home and American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Brooks has been preparing for this opportunity his entire career, and is counting the days until January 31st.

“I’m just really excited about this opportunity, the whole idea of a tournament really gets me going, and I just love it, and it’s why I wanted to come to Bellator,” Brooks said. “This is what it’s all about, and I’m ready to go out and get it. Fighting on Spike is dream, this organization is on the rise, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. When I have millions of people watching, that’s when I step up my game, and it’s exactly what you will see on January 31st.”

For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Ricardo Tirloni, the chance to get back into another tournament is all the 29 year old could ask for after suffering a close split-decision loss at the hands of Dave Jansen. Training under the tutelage under Luta Livre black belt Marcelo Brigadeiro, Tirloni is primed for another long tournament run.

With Tirloni vs. Brooks set, the field is now complete as Lloyd Woodard will battle David Rickels, while Thiago Michel will take on Tiger Sarnavskiy, and Patricky Pitbull battles Guillaume DeLorenzi.

“With the latest additions of Will Brooks and Ricardo Tirloni, this Lightweight Tournament is just a stacked collection of true finishers, and I expect another huge night inside Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.”

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/Bellator

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, 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 Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of 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.

Welterweight Tournament Field Set For Bellator’s Season Eight

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (January 9, 2013) – Bellator’s Welterweight Tournament is now complete as the eight man field will battle for a $100,000 Bellator Tournament prize, as well as a guaranteed title shot for the Bellator Welterweight World Title. The Bellator Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinals will begin January 24th from Oklahoma’s WinStar World […]

Press Release – Newport Beach, CA. (January 9, 2013) – Bellator’s Welterweight Tournament is now complete as the eight man field will battle for a $100,000 Bellator Tournament prize, as well as a guaranteed title shot for the Bellator Welterweight World Title. The Bellator Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinals will begin January 24th from Oklahoma’s WinStar World Casino live on Spike TV and in Spanish language on mun2. The night will also feature the Bellator Welterweight World Title fight between reigning and undefeated Bellator World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren and French submission ace Karl “Psycho” Amoussou, as well as the debut of MMA superstar “King Mo” Lawal.

The event will broadcast LIVE starting at 10 p.m. EST on Spike. The preliminary card will be streamed LIVE and FREE on Spike.com starting at 8 p.m. EST. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by visiting the WinStar World Casino Box Office, with tickets starting at just $45 dollars.

Fan favorite and Bellator veteran Ben “Killa B” Saunders will return to the Bellator cage as he battles dynamic welterweight Koffi “The Lion King” Adzitso. Training under the tutelage of long time MMA veteran Jeremy Horn, Adzitso is eager to bring his finishing power to the Bellator cage. For Saunders, the always entertaining American Top Team product knows with the bright lights of Spike TV upon him, this is his time to shine.

“I’ve had my sights set on getting back into this tournament for a while,” Saunders said. “Everyone knows what type of energy I bring into every one of my fights, and to have the opportunity to do it on Spike is all I could ask for. I can’t wait to get started on January 24th.”

Former Bellator Tournament Finalist Brent Weedman is back and will look to make another long tournament run when he meets “The Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis in opening round action. With only five decision victories between the two long time veterans, neither fighter is expecting a 15 minute affair.

“Whenever I step into the cage, I’m looking for a finish, and nothing is going to change against Brent Weedman,” Zaromskis said.

RusFighters product Michail Tsarev will bring his impressive arsenal of submission skills to the Bellator cage when he battles top welterweight contender Douglas “The Phenom” Lima in front of a packed WinStar World Casino crowd. Having already navigated his way through a previous Bellator Welterweight Tournament, Lima is fully aware of what it takes to lock up his title shot, and has every intention of getting another shot at the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.

“I’ve been there once, and everything I do is the gym is to get back to that point,” Lima said. “This is what I train for every day, and my only goal to get that $100,000 check and a shot at the belt.”

The tournament rounds out with Bellator newcomer Jose “Zezao Trator” Gomes getting his first taste of The Toughest Tournament in Sports when he takes on the nearly undefeated Raul “Smash Mode” Amaya on January 24th.

“From top to bottom, our welterweight division has a collection of pure finishers that have put on some wildly entertaining fights,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “With a Welterweight World Title fight, the debut of King Mo and a stacked welterweight tournament, January 24th is going to be a huge night from WinStar World Casino.”

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/Bellator

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, 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 Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of 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.

“I Embrace The Role,” Jon Jones On Coaching – TUF Season 17 Press Release

Press Release – LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9, 2013) – Tuesdays just got TUF™. On January 22, some of the world’s most talented and determined mixed martial artists will face-off in the most grueling sports tournament on television. Watch as 28 mixed martial arts prospects battle for a coveted spot on the new season of The […]

Press Release – LOS ANGELES (Jan. 9, 2013) – Tuesdays just got TUF™. On January 22, some of the world’s most talented and determined mixed martial artists will face-off in the most grueling sports tournament on television. Watch as 28 mixed martial arts prospects battle for a coveted spot on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter®, which begins with a special two-hour premiere airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FX.

The Ultimate Fighter, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s long-running reality television series, will run for 13 weeks and will culminate in a three-hour finale, live from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Unlike previous seasons on FX, the one-hour broadcast will now be shown on Tuesday nights at its new regularly scheduled timeslot of 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The 14 successful combatants will be divided into two teams, which will be coached by two of the fiercest rivals in all of sport. UFC® light heavyweight champion and MMA superstar, Jon “Bones” Jones will captain one team, while the controversial and charismatic challenger Chael Sonnen will lead the second team into battle in this, the 17th installment of the series.

The coaches will then collide for the light heavyweight title on Saturday, April 27, at UFC 159: JONES vs. SONNEN at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Not surprisingly, both Jones and Sonnen will be bringing their trademark self-confidence into their stints as coaches this season on The Ultimate Fighter.

“I thought it would be a good way to share myself with the sport of MMA,” Jones said. “I embrace the role.”

Said Sonnen: “The hottest show on FX is being graced with the greatest talent God ever made: Chael P. Sonnen.”

The list of finalists in the middleweight (185 pounds) division was trimmed from more than 250 applicant athletes. The fighters – all seeking the opportunity of a lifetime and a six-figure contract from the Ultimate Fighting Championship – hail from the United States, Australia, England and Sweden.

“The quality of guys we have this season in unbelievable,” said UFC President Dana White. “From the fights to get into the house, to every single fight this season, I think the talent is some of the best I’ve ever seen on this show. We’re going to end up with some really good guys in the 185-pound division.”

“The production value has increased, the talent level is at an all-time high, and we have two of the most dynamic personalities in all of the UFC as our coaches,” said Chuck Saftler, EVP of FX Networks. “I’m extremely excited about this season of The Ultimate Fighter and truly believe this could be the show’s best season yet.”

On Jan. 22, the season will launch with 14 gripping elimination scraps. Those victorious in the opening round, or “Fight In”, become official cast members and earn their place in The Ultimate Fighter house in Las Vegas. The winners will be drafted into opposing teams of seven by Jones and Sonnen. Thereafter, cameras will document their activity before and after their training and fights during the season.

Each episode’s winners will advance in the single-elimination tournament until one is crowned The Ultimate Fighter.

The competitors are:
Dylan Andrews (16-4-1), 32, Gold Coast, AUS
Jake Heun (3-2), 25, Salt Lake City, Utah
Hito Andrews (9-2), 34, Sacramento, Calif.
Nicholas Hohring (3-0), 22, Valley Springs, Calif.
Luke Barnatt (5-0), 24, Cambridge, ENG
Mike Jaspar (6-0), 29, Camarillo, Calif.
Leo Bercier (7-2), 31, Great Falls, Montana
Bubba McDaniel (20-6), 29, Albuquerque, N.M.
Ryan Lee Q. Bigler (9-3), 28, Guam
Frasier Opie (10-5), 25, Milton Keynes, ENG
Kevin Casey (5-2), 31, Hawthorne, Calif.
Frederick Persons (3-0), 28, Stockton, Calif.
Adam Cella (4-0), 27, Fenton, Mo.
Jimmy Quinlan (3-0), 26, Metheun, Mass.
Zach Cummings (15-3), 28, Kansas City, Mo.
Scott Rosa (4-1), 27, Sparks, Nev.
Andy Enz (6-1), 21, Anchorage, Alaska
Josh Samman (9-2), 24, Tallahassee, Fla.
Nik Fehete (5-1), 32, Las Vegas, Nev.
Gilbert Smith (5-1), 30, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kelvin Gastelum (5-0), 20, Yuma, Ariz.
Eldon Sproat (3-1), 27, Molohai, Hawaii
Uriah Hall (7-2), 28, New York City, N.Y.
Tor Troeng (15-4-1), 29, Umea, SWE
Collin Hart (4-1-1), 23, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Eric Wahlin (5-1), 29, Taylorsville, Utah
Clint Hester (7-3), 24, Atlanta, Ga.
Timothy Williams (7-1), 26, Millville, N.J.

Many of today’s most recognizable names in the UFC have emerged from the TUF™ series, including, among many others, Forrest Griffin, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, and Michael Bisping.

Tune-in and watch who will become the next THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER on FX!

For more show information, bios, videos and photos, visit ultimatefighter.com and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter under our new name @TUFonFX or on Facebook.com/TUF.

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 and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 30 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.

FX
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series Sons of Anarchy and Justified; the miniseries American Horror Story: Asylum; the upcoming drama series The Americans; the acclaimed hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, BrandX with Russell Brand, and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell; and the upcoming comedy Legit. The network’s library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any ad-supported television network. FX’s other offerings include the acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with UFC and NCAA football.

Bellator Announces Open Workouts On Jan. 15th For Upcoming Spike Debut

Press Release – Newport Beach, California (January 8, 2013) — In anticipation of Bellator MMA’s highly anticipated Spike debut January 17th from Irvine’s Bren Center, Bellator MMA will be hosting a fighter open workout for media from 1 – 3 p.m. PST on Tuesday, January 15 from HB Ultimate Training Center. The workout will be […]

Press Release – Newport Beach, California (January 8, 2013) — In anticipation of Bellator MMA’s highly anticipated Spike debut January 17th from Irvine’s Bren Center, Bellator MMA will be hosting a fighter open workout for media from 1 – 3 p.m. PST on Tuesday, January 15 from HB Ultimate Training Center.

The workout will be attended by Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney as well as Bellator MMA fighters, including Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, his title challenger and former Judo Olympian Rick Hawn, Bellator Featherweight Champion Pat Curran, explosive Brazilian & Tournament Champion Patricio Pitbull, Light Heavyweight “Babalu” Sobral and Southern California’s own Mike “Joker” Guymon and Mario Navarro.

There will be a workout session followed by an interview/Q&A opportunity with each fighter. One-on-ones will be made available with each fighter and Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Fans are also welcomed to attend and take in the action.

The schedule will be:

Tuesday, January 15 – 1 – 3 p.m. PST

HB Ultimate Training Center

19240 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, California
714-593-9335

1 – 1:30 p.m. – Pat Curran/Mike Guymon
1:30 – 2 p.m. – Babalu Sobral/Rick Hawn
2 – 2:30 p.m. – Patricio Pitbull/Mario Navarro
2:30 – 3 p.m. – Michael Chandler

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/Bellator

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, 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 Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of 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.

Two Women’s Bouts To Air Live During XFC 23 Event Broadcast On AXStv This April

Press Release – Xtreme Fighting Championships has been at the forefront of WMMA since 2008, when it introduced their WMMA division with world class boxer, turned MMA fighter, Chevelle Hallback. Instant popularity of female fights in the XFC began to spread throughout the MMA industry, and the company known for finding the Next Generation of […]

XFC Logo

Press Release – Xtreme Fighting Championships has been at the forefront of WMMA since 2008, when it introduced their WMMA division with world class boxer, turned MMA fighter, Chevelle Hallback. Instant popularity of female fights in the XFC began to spread throughout the MMA industry, and the company known for finding the Next Generation of MMA Fighters followed up their promise of finding and building rising stars, by signing Marianna Kheyfets following their Open Fighter Tryout in 2010. Soon after, Kheyfets had her first fight live on national television to the HDNet viewers and thousands in attendance at the St. Pete Times Forum. Kheyfets went on to win 5 straight fights, quickly becoming a fan favorite and leaving HDNet viewers wanting more WMMA. Her success secured a spot not just for herself, but for other female fighters in the industry to have an opportunity to fight live on TV at future XFC events.

Blast ahead, three years later, where the XFC has now significantly increased the number of women on their roster, featuring three of the industry’s most solidified weight classes (Atomweight, Flyweight, & Strawweight). Now moving into 2013, the promotion has announced another significant increase, in their efforts to remain one of the leading supporters of Women in mixed martial arts. At XFC 23 in April, the XFC announced this morning that they are scheduling, 2 female bouts on the live side of the AXStv broadcast of XFC 23 in April. Something that no other promotion on national television is currently doing.

XFC President John Prisco has announced a tentative agreement between Stephanie Eggink versus newly signed Angela Magana on tap, not only as part of the announced female double header, but also in the co-main position at XFC 23. Additionally, Angelica Chavez of the Chavez Dojo in New Mexico will make her XFC debut on the same card, with her opponent expected to be named in coming weeks. Prior to the April event, XFC fans will also see women’s MMA action in February at XFC 22, where Amateur phenom champion (now Pro) Pearl Gonzalez makes her XFC and national television debut against Suzie Montero at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

XFC has already added Eggink, Magana, Gonzalez, and Chavez to the growing roster here in 2013, and the promotion is rumored to be adding several more fighters to each weight class, in preparation for title fights that could take place before the year’s end. To keep up with the XFC women’s divisions, bout announcements, and signings, visit www.OfficialXFC.com and follow the promotion daily on Facebook and Twitter ‘@OfficialXFC’.