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SENSATIONAL CAGE FIGHT CARD

SATURDAY, NOV. 10 AT AMERICAN BANK CENTER ARENA
Live on SHOWTIME, 10 p.m. ET/PT

From Corpus Christi , Texas
Nick Diaz, KJ Noons Fight For EliteXC 160-pound World Title;
>From Street To Elite -- Legendary Internet Fighter Kimbo Slice Makes EliteXC Debut;
Jake Shields Faces Mike Pyle; The Doctor, Seth Kleinbeck Meets Kyle Noke,
“Big Foot’’ Silva Returns Versus Wiezorek In ‘Renegade’ On SHOWTIME
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 6, 2007) -- The America Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Tex., will rock like it never has before when Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, presents “EliteXC: Renegade’’ this Saturday, Nov. 10, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
“We’re all very excited about doing our first show in Corpus Christi ,’’ Shaw said. “I hope fans are ready for ‘Renegade’ because this is going to be a tremendous event.
“One great thing about EliteXC fights is that you just can’t point to one corner or the other beforehand and say, ‘this guy is going to win.’ My fighters know they all have to fight and they are all going to have to fight to win on Saturday.
“ Texas fans in attendance and those watching on SHOWTIME are in for a real exciting night of fights in the cage.’’
What will be an emotional, memorable, hotly contested main event will feature an EliteXC world title fight in a new weight class – 160 pounds -- between talented, crowd-pleasing Nick Diaz (15-6) of Stockton, Calif., and exciting, hard-hitting KJ Noons (4-1) of San Diego.
In an eagerly awaited match on the undercard, Kimbo Slice will make his EliteXC debut. A legendary underground bare-knuckle fighter, Kimbo became an overnight pop-culture sensation when his fighting videos were posted on various video sites throughout the Internet. His videos have been downloaded in excess of 10 million times – and counting -- on YouTube.
Kimbo (1-0), of Miami , Fla. , will be opposed by Bo “Redrum’’ Cantrell (10-10) of Citrus Heights , Calif. (10-10). Cantrell is a replacement for Mike Bourke, who broke his clavicle during training and withdrew. In March 2006, Cantrell scored a 1:05, first-round TKO over Bourke.
“What I really love about Kimbo is his work ethic and his attitude,’’ Shaw said. “He has the mentality of a real fighter. He doesn’t care who he fights. He doesn’t care about weight, height, if they’re southpaw or orthodox, he’s here to fight.
“I do believe Kimbo has the ability to be the heavyweight world champion in boxing, as I do believe he has the ability under (trainer) Bas (Rutten) to be the world champion in MMA in probably several weight classes.’’
A compelling co-feature Saturday will match a Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu against an Xtreme Couture fighter when streaking, world-ranked welterweight, Jake Shields (19-4-1), of San Francisco , faces the always-dangerous Mike “Quicksand” Pyle (14-4-1), of Dresden , Tenn.
Shields is trained by Gracie; Pyle is coached by Couture.
In other SHOWTIME-televised fights, Kyle “KO’’ Noke (13-3-1), the bodyguard of the late “Crocodile Hunter’’ Steve Irwin, will make his EliteXC debut in a 185-pound fight against “Doctor” Seth “Mass Destruction’’ Kleinbeck (8-3) of Ozark, Ark., and Brazil’s Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva (8-1) returns to the cage for the first time in nine months against Jonathan Wiezorek (11-1).
Saturday’s scheduled non-televised, undercard fights that will be available on ProElite.com the week of Nov. 12 include: Geoff Bumstead (2-1) of Corpus Christi vs. Robert Ruiz (1-0) of Corpus Christi, at 265 pounds; Yves Edwards (29-13-1) of Woodlands, Tex., vs. Nick Gonzalez (13-5) of Austin, Tex., at 160 pounds; Jon Kirk (10-1) of Houston vs. Matt Lucas (7-0) at 185 pounds; Ralph Kelly (6-1) of San Antonio vs. Brett Rogers (5-0) at 265 pounds; and Jae Sok Lim (7-2) vs. Lane Yarbrough (6-4) of Huntsville, Tex., at 170 pounds.
With the exception of Diaz-Noon, which is scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds, the fights are three, 5-minute rounds. The event will begin at 7 p.m. CT. Doors open at 6 o’clock.
Tickets in all price ranges, starting at $25, are available at the American Bank Center Box Office and all TicketMaster locations. They also may be obtained at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (361) 881-8499. Any ticket buyer may purchase a $50 VIP Package Upgrade, which includes VIP parking and post-fight party at the American Bank Center .
The talented, well-schooled Diaz (nickdiaz.proelite.com) has phenomenal Jiu-Jitsu and cardio. A major player in MMA and one of its most recognizable and popular figures, the wily Diaz, 24, always enters the ring in exceptional condition and makes for exciting scraps.
Diaz is making his second consecutive start on SHOWTIME and first since signing a long-term contract extension with EliteXC.
A Brazilian black belt and loyal student of Cesar Gracie, Diaz made his EliteXC debut on “Uprising” Sept. 15, 2007, in Hawaii . In an exhausting, bloody, give-and-take slugfest, he scored a thrilling, three-round split decision over hard-trying Mike Aina.
A fierce, confident competitor, the six-foot southpaw Diaz survived an early knockdown and a cut right eye to outpoint the local favorite by the scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29.
Shortly after his first start in six months, Diaz flew to Las Vegas to watch his brother, Nate, fight. Nick barely had made off the plane before he was taken to a hospital where he would spend a week for a severe staph infection that he contacted a few days before the bout with Aina.
“I felt pretty crappy in my match in Hawaii , but I figured I was suffering from jet lag or from something I had eaten the night before,’’ Diaz said. “When I left Hawaii , I was getting chills and had to be covered with several blankets on the plane. I kept having cold sweats.
“By the time I got to Vegas, the infection had ballooned up so I went to a hospital and was admitted right away. I started getting my strength back the last few days in the hospital.
“But I definitely won that fight with Aina and people that think otherwise; well, I do not know what they were watching. If we ever fight again, I will tap him out.’’
The outspoken, brutally honest Diaz recuperated quickly enough to compete in a triathlon for a second consecutive year. “I ended up taking second place,’’ he said. “I lost first by seven minutes due to a poor swim. I couldn’t get much swim practice because I was in the hospital.’’
Diaz has fought some of the sport's biggest names in an illustrious six-year career. In perhaps his most unforgettable performance, a battered, bruised and bloodied Diaz rallied from the brink of defeat to score an impressive, legendary gogoplata submission victory over then-consensus No. 1 lightweight contender, Takanori Gomi (takanorigomi.proelite.com), in a 2007 Fight of the Year candidate that wound up going into the books as a no contest.
“I am looking forward to getting back in the cage on Saturday,’’ Diaz said.
Noons (kjnoons.proelite.com), who is also a professional boxer, is coming off a smashing third-round knockout over Edson Berto on July 27, 2007, at Santa Ynez , Calif. Despite fracturing his left hand in the opening minutes, Noons would go on to mostly dominate the favored Berto.
In a scintillating finish to a thrilling encounter on ShoXC: The Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME, Noons wore down Berto, then dropped him with a devastating right knee to the face. Noons followed the knockdown with a right hand and right elbow to the face before the referee stepped in and halted the proceedings 45 seconds into the round.
The victory was monumental for Noons, who had been knocked out by “Krazy Horse’’ Charles Bennett in his outing before last (Feb. 10, 2007, the debut telecast of EliteXC on SHOWTIME).
“I had to prove I was better, which is why I put in so much time and sweat and blood preparing for Berto,” Noons said. “It wasn’t easy, but I made it look easy. It definitely helped me put the ‘Krazy Horse’ fight behind me. I got a lot off my shoulders with that fight.’’
The victory earned Noons a berth in the initial EliteXC lightweight championship fight. “The thing about EliteXC is I knew if I was winning, I would eventually get a title shot,” Noons said. “In EliteXC, the people who fight actually earn (the right).’’
A fighter who has never turned down a challenge, Noons is confident of an upset. “This is for a world title,’’ he said. “I’ll be ready. I wasn’t impressed with Nick’s last performance. This is a good match-up. He’s the No. 1 guy in the world; he beat Gomi. I’m just glad to have the opportunity to have a chance to be fighting someone of his caliber.
“I have nothing to lose, everything to gain. He’s great on the ground. I’m not, but I work hard at the ground game. I don’t plan on trying for a submission. I’ll just be trying to stop him.
“Nick is probably going to try and stand and then take it to the ground to finish it. I want to make it a fight. The way I fight, every fight is exciting and a war. I’m going in to win. I won’t be letting down. It’s going to be head-to-head. I think fighting at 160 is good for both of us.’’
Kimbo (kimboslice.proelite.com), aka Kevin Ferguson, is a big, scary-looking, intimidating heavyweight who developed an astonishing following on the Internet due to his famous “unsanctioned” backyard fights.
Lest you think he is not serious about MMA, however, forget it.
“I am totally committed,’’ Kimbo said. “I’m for real at this and not short term, but long term. I am not a novelty act. I mean business. I am coming to bring the noise. I work extremely hard. There are critics who don’t think I can do this, but I am going to prove them all wrong.”
Kimbo, who possesses pretty solid standup, defeated former world boxing heavyweight champion “Merciless’’ Ray Mercer via guillotine submission in his MMA debut June 23, 3007.
One individual who liked what he saw was Rutten, an MMA legend and one of the sport’s all-time great trainers.
“I was way more than impressed with his fight,’’ Rutten said. “He did his homework and worked the game plan to perfection. I write game plans. I told Kimbo, ‘these are the things you have to focus on. If you do, you’re not going to be in trouble, but you have to hit every point.’
“Normally, guys go for something then forget it. Kimbo took the game plan, kept it and kept working on the points. He’s a sponge and wants to learn. He comes in on time and doesn’t complain. He’ll do everything you say. Things you teach him today, he remembers tomorrow.’’
Kimbo, who weighed 239 ½ pounds, a weight much lower than he had anticipated, shot in early on Mercer. After a barrage of elbow, Muay Thai knees and combination punches, Kimbo was able to tap out Mercer at 1:10.
Fans and critics alike were impressed – and shocked -- by the brawler’s ability to pull off such a skillful submission technique
“I’ve worked really hard on my wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu.’’ Kimbo said. “It hasn’t been easy. I’ve never trained as hard. Training has never been as intense. I don't think any other trainers can match what Bas puts us through. But I couldn't ask for better guys to work with.
“They push me to the limit. When I feel like quitting, they literally beat me down and it's hard to get a person that's willing to beat me down. I have more respect for them than anything.
“I get frustrated, but it’s frustration that drives me. I'm determined. I will not be denied.’’
Since converting to the cage, Kimbo’s universe has been altered dramatically. “My life’s definitely changed, but it has all been for the better -- mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually,’’ he said. “I’m more patient and dedicated to things that are more important.’’
Regarding his premium television debut, Kimbo said, “With EliteXC on SHOWTIME, everyone's got a chance to watch. SHOWTIME is a household deal. Anybody who has a TV should have SHOWTIME. They're going to see what hard work, sacrifice and dedication will do for you.’’
On his incredible fan base, Kimbo said, “I love the fans. They respect me and I respect them. They show me love and I show love back. I know what they want and I'm going to give them what they want. They want to see me come in and bang and I'm coming in to bang.
“The fans know that anyone that comes my way, they better be prepared to bring it.’’
The six-foot-one-inch Cantrell is a former Marine and five-time Gladiator Challenge heavyweight titlist. The hard-hitting Cantrell is not accustomed to putting in a full night’s work. His last eight fights have ended in the first round, and 11 of his last 13 have ended inside two.
Cantrell will be making his second start on SHOWTIME. In his debut, he lost to Tim Persey on EliteXC’s “Destiny” on Feb. 10, 2007.
Like Kimbo, Cantrell is no stranger to underground fights. “I had my share of them in Oregon before getting a shot at the real shows,’’ Cantrell said.
Despite the short notice, Cantrell (bocantrell.proelite.com) is coming to win. “To beat Kimbo would give my career a gigantic boost,’’ he said.
Shields, 28, has won eight straight and nine of 10. Unbeaten since December 2004, he has defeated the likes of current UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami, former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne and current WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit.
Known for technical grappling and amazing cardio, the lifelong vegetarian captured the Shooto Championship in 2004 and won the Rumble on the Rock Grand Prix Tournament in ‘05.
In his last start, Shields (jakeshields.proelite.com) scored a surprisingly easy first-round knockout over BJ Penn’s Renato “Charuto’’ Verissimo on “Uprising.’’ The referee stopped the fight at 4:00 with Shields on top of Verissimo and landing a series of unanswered punches.
“That fight went pretty good,’’ the highly regarded Shields said. “I came in and threw a couple kicks, a couple punches and ended up getting in the clinch. He ended up tripping me and taking me down but I didn’t want to be on bottom so I bounced right back up
“From there we were in the clinch and I took him down, opened up his guard and passed, got mount, and started raining down punches on him.’’
A beast at welterweight, Shields has a lot of respect for Pyle.
“Mike is really good,’’ Shields said. “I’ve been watching his tapes and he is really well rounded. He has good standup, a good ground game and cardio, but I think I’m going to be too much for him. I think it will take a little longer to wear him down, but eventually I’ll break him.’’
Pyle, 21, who trains out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas , will be seeking his third consecutive victory. In his last outing, Pyle recorded an impressive, unanimous decision over Aaron Wetherspoon on the June 22 “Shamrock vs. Baroni” undercard at San Jose , Calif.
In his start before last, Pyle registered a 1:55, first-round submission (rear naked choke hold) over Ross Ebanez on the historic EliteXC “DESTINY’’ undercard on Feb. 10, 2007.
Pyle (mikepyle.proelite.com), who has experience in Tae Kwon Do, judo, karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has been in against tough, risky opposition and is back to fighting at 170 pounds (down from 185). The drop in weight has proven to be an excellent move.
“A fight with Shields has been talked about for months, and now that it is here, I am really looking forward to it,’’ Pyle said. “I think my striking is a bit sharper than his and I feel I’m a physically stronger athlete, but he might possibly have an edge on me with the wrestling.’’
A five-month layoff is not a concern. “My preparation has been excellent,” said Pyle, who’s defeated the likes of welterweight star Jon Fitch and Shonie Carter. “The inactivity didn’t bother me. It gave me some time off to work on my game. I don’t suffer from ring rust because I train with top athletes.
“Five months off is nothing for me. I always come back just as strong if not better. Beating Jake will be a good step for me. This is going to be a good show.’’
At first glance, Kleinbeck, of Stuttgart , Ark. , seems like an average, easy-going young man. He has been married 16 years, has two children and is a licensed physician who practices emergency and family medicine in his home state and has family offices in Ozark and Waldron.
Kleinbeck, 34, is anything but typical, however. The most well educated man in MMA, he is “Dr. Kleinbeck’’ to his patients but he’s “Mass Destruction” to MMA fans. No, Kleinbeck is not known for his bedside manner inside the cage, which may be a shock to his patients.
The exciting, aggressive-minded Kleinbeck possesses solid striking power, comes to win and produces excellent scraps. Along with carrying plenty of strength and a devastating punch, Kleinbeck boasts a sharp kick attack that sends many of his opponents limping to the mat.
All his victories have ended inside the distance. In his SHOWTIME debut, Kleinbeck (sethkleinbeck.proelite.com) knocked out Jaime Jara (16-6) in the second round with a picture-perfect left-right combination at 4:59 in Vicksburg , Miss. , on July 27, 2007.
“There was no doubt the fight was over,” said Kleinbeck after dealing Jara -- a champion at one time or another in four Gladiator Challenge weight classes -- his first loss in three years. “I caught him perfectly. This is probably my best win and I’m obviously happy.
“I was surprised he tried to box for as long as he did. I figured he would be trying to take me down. I kicked him so hard I think I might have broken my left foot.”
Kleinbeck graduated from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine with a MD in 2001. But don't let the higher education fool you. A fighter skilled in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling and wrestling, he is dedicated to becoming a MMA star.
The mauling medic has a 1,200 square foot gym by his house. “It's at the end of my driveway,’’ he said. “I’ve got weight and cardio equipment and a 15x20 matted grappling area.’’
Kleinbeck, who started his MMA training during his last year of medical school, has experience and a successful record but, aside from Jara, has faced mostly lesser competition.
A doctor knows his body though and Kleinbeck sees good days ahead. “If you’ve got a young body and you haven’t had a lot of injuries you could fight deep into your 30s,” he said. “I’d hate to get out of fighting without getting in the ring with somebody in the top 10.”
Kleinbeck, who has been known to assist commissions in administrating pre-fight physicals (he once gave a physical to his opponent), knows he cannot afford to overlook any foe.
“Every fight is important,’’ he said. “I want to step up to the next level, but I have to beat who they put in front of me first. Noke has fought a couple tough guys. He is a well-rounded fighter who does everything really good. There is no way I look past him or anybody.’’
Noke (kylenoke.proelite.com), of Queensland , Australia , by way of Sydney , trains at the Australian Zoo, which was started by Irvin. The Irwin family built an MMA cage for him so he could train while working at the Zoo as a security guard.
Considered by some to be one of the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in Australia , the well-conditioned, six-foot-two-inch 27-year-old has won titles in multiple weight classes since getting involved in MMA at the age of 22.
A well-rounded fighter who does not have any glaring weaknesses, Noke is 5-1-1 in his last seven starts. In his most recent outing and lone effort in 2007, he fought to a three-round draw with top Judoka and former PRIDE fighter Hector Lombard on July 28, 2007.
Noke, who may be most effective when he can counter, has fought the majority of his fights at 170 pounds. But his last three outings have been at 185.
Silva, who is six-feet-four and has weighed upwards of 300 pounds, is hard to miss. But do not blink once he enters the cage. All but one of his victories has come by knockout. None of his fights have gone one full round.
One of the most talked-about and feared up-and-comers in MMA, Silva’s freakish size is matched with brute strength and surprising speed, brutal ground and pound striking skills. Factor in that he also is surprisingly nimble-footed and effectively combines Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and you seemingly have all of the ingredients of a future superstar
Nicknamed “Bigfoot’’ for his huge, intimidating stature, Silva scored a 3:49, first-round TKO (strikes) over Wesley “Cabbage” Correira on Feb. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME.
The victory came in his first start since suffering his only pro loss on a controversial first-round TKO to Eric Pele on Dec. 12, 2006. “I don’t know what the referee was thinking when he stopped the fight,’’ Silva said. “I was doing fine, biding my time, waiting for the moment Pele would slow down because I knew he was getting tired. But the referee decided to call the fight.’’
Silva (antoniosilva.proelite.com), who is dropping down in weight, is looking to continue his rise, but he understands it won’t be easy. “Wiezorek is a good fighter who wants to take the fight to the mat because he’s good at submissions,’’ he said. “But I’m training very well and have a good strategy that will surprise him if he goes to take me down.
“Physically, I am great. I don’t have to worry about him. He has to worry about me. It has been eight months since I last fought. I am very hungry for a victory.’’
A winner of five straight, Wiezorek will be fighting for the first time since registering a second-round TKO (strikes) over Tim Persey on June 2, 2007, at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
“That was a great experience for me,” Wiezorek (jonathanwiezorek.proelite.com) said.
The six-foot-three-inch Wiezorek came out working Persey with punches and knees, trying to force him down. A grappler, Wiezorek’s strength lies on the mat, where he tries to get all his opponents. “If I could get a guy to the ground, I have a great chance to win the fight.”
Wiezorek put down Persey for good early in the second, got his back and threw punches until the ref stepped in. It was his eighth submission victory. Also a master of avoiding damage, Wiezorek’s victories have mostly come in the first round by various chokes.
Mauro Ranallo will call the cageside action with former wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg and Stephen Quadros, The Fight Professor, serving as color analysts. The executive producer of the telecast is David Dinkins, Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
About ProElite, 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 [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 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.

UFC 80: Rapid Fire in Newcastle on January 19th

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTS UFC 80: RAPID FIRE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008LIVE FROM METRO ARENA, NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND

UFC WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT INTERIM TITLE “THE PRODIGY” BJ PENN vs. JOE “DADDY” STEVENSON  ALSO: HEAVYWEIGHT FEATURE GABRIEL “NAPAO” GONZAGA vs. FABRICIO WERDUM

Tickets Go on Sale Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 10am GMT

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Hawaiian superstar BJ Penn has waited six years for another shot at the lightweight title that eluded him in 2002. On January 19, 2008, at the Metro Arena in Newcastle, England, “The Prodigy” finally gets his chance for redemption when he challenges Joe “Daddy” Stevenson for the Interim World Lightweight Championship at UFC 80: RAPID FIRE. Also featured on this star-studded card, which was made official today by the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) organization, is a heavyweight showdown between top contenders Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga and Fabricio Werdum.

“BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson are two of the top lightweights in the world,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Penn is the former world welterweight champion and Stevenson is unbeaten in the UFC as a lightweight. Both of these guys are known for their ground games and their will to win, so not only will it be a great fight, but the winner will become the interim world lightweight champion.”

Tickets for UFC 80: RAPID FIRE will go on public sale Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10am GMT and will be priced at £35, £50, £100, £150 and £200. Tickets will be available through ticketmaster.co.uk and www.metroradioarena.co.uk.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 10am GMT via the website www.ufc.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday, Nov. 9 starting at 10am GMT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com.

One of the most gifted fighters to ever grace the UFC Octagon™, hence his nickname, “The Prodigy”, BJ Penn (12-4-1) has amazed fight fans throughout his career with a blend of stellar ground work, knockout power, and a warrior’s heart. In 2002, he challenged for the lightweight title against Jens Pulver but fell short in a five round war. Two years later though, he shocked the world when he won the welterweight title by submitting Matt Hughes at UFC 46. In 2007 though, Penn returned to the division where he first made his mark and he began on his road to the 155-pound title by avenging his first defeat with a submission win over Pulver at The Ultimate Fighter® season five finale on June 23rd. He will come full circle on January 19 if he can defeat Stevenson for the interim lightweight title.

“I’m very excited to be fighting for the UFC lightweight interim title and to be matched up against Stevenson,” said Penn. “Our styles are very similar, and we both want the interim title, so I think it will be a good fight and an excellent fight for the fans.”

A pro fighter since the age of 16, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson (33-7) has more experience than most fighters twice his age, and his time in the trenches of the fight game has prepared him for his first world title shot. First arriving on the UFC scene as a welterweight with a win on season two of The Ultimate Fighter, Stevenson soon determined that his true fortunes lay in the lightweight division, and since moving to 155 pounds, he has been unstoppable, stopping Yves Edwards, submitting Dokonjonosuke Mishima and Melvin Guillard, and decisioning Kurt Pellegrino en route to his meeting with Penn in Newcastle.

“I’m really excited to fight BJ, and I’m happy to have the chance to fight for the interim title,” said Stevenson. “I think BJ is an awesome fighter. He has a dangerous ground game, but I don’t think it will be too big of a factor. And he’s not going to knock me out, so I’m confident that it will be my hand that’s raised at the end of the night.”

Also featured on the UFC 80 card is the heavyweight feature Gonzaga vs.Werdum.

One of the most dangerous heavyweights on the planet, with the ability to end a fight via submission or with a devastating knockout, Rio De Janeiro native Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga (8-2) captured the imagination of UFC fans in April when he knocked out the feared striker Mirko Cro Cop with a single head kick at UFC 70. And though Gonzaga fell short in his subsequent shot at Randy Couture’s heavyweight crown in August, the 28-year old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt is eager to get back in line for a title shot, something that will be made easier with a win over the only other man to beat him, Fabricio Werdum.

A highly-regarded veteran who made his name in the PRIDE® organization, Porto Alegre, Brazil’s Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1) lost a hard-fought decision to former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in his UFC debut in April, but he plans on evening his record on January 19 by repeating his 2003 TKO win over Gabriel Gonzaga. To do that, the highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will have to use the tools that led him to PRIDE wins over Alistair Overeem and Aleksander Emelianenko and which have led many to dub him the best kept secret in the heavyweight division

Also confirmed for UFC 80 is a welterweight battle of the adoptive Brits as Irish-American Marcus Davis clashes with Anglo-Frenchman Jess Liaudin.

Former pro boxer Davis is on an incredible 10 fight winning streak and is coming off two hugely impressive wins in Belfast and London. Likewise, the London-based Liaudin, a 19 fight MMA veteran, is in the form of his life and has won both his previous UFC fights in the very first round.

The remaining bouts for UFC 80: RAPID FIRE will be announced in the near future. All bouts live and subject to change. For further information on the UFC visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or www.ufcespanol.com.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the UFC® organization produces approximately twelve to fourteen live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributed throughout the world including broadcast on MAIN EVENT in Australia, Globosat in Brazil and Bravo and Setanta Sports in the United Kingdom. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or www.ufcespanol.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

SHO SPORTS PRESENTS TO AIR NIGHTLY ON SHOWTIME 2

SHOWTIME To Offer Fight Fans Daily Dose

Of World Class Boxing And Mixed Martial Arts Action

NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2007) – SHO Sports Presents, a nightly series featuring the best of SHOWTIME boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) programming, will premiere tonight, Thursday, Nov. 1, and air every weeknight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME® 2, it was announced today by Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming for Showtime Networks. 

SHOWTIME® 2, the network’s primary multiplex channel, is available in 95 percent of all SHOWTIME homes.

SHO Sports Presents will air replays of live SHOWTIME Sports series including the flagship SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING franchise and the newest sports television phenomenon EliteXC mixed martial arts. In addition, classic telecasts from the acclaimed series ShoBox: The New Generation, and the new MMA platform ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series will air regularly on SHO Sports Presents.

“Thrilling boxing events and explosive mixed martial arts telecasts from SHOWTIME Sports have been a consistent ratings generator for the network,” said Hershman. “We have been dedicated to televising the hardest hitting and most compelling match ups in both boxing and MMA on a regular basis.  SHO Sports Presents is further proof of our commitment to deliver a steady diet of great programming to fight fans.”

In addition to opening the doors of the vast boxing library that dates back to the premiere of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING in 1986, SHO Sports Presents will keep the loyal fan base up to date with promotions, documentaries and updates on upcoming live events.

“Our subscribers have demonstrated a demand for our sports franchises and this daily platform is an ideal way to keep them in tune with our greatest hits of yesterday and with upcoming live events,” Hershman added.

The first installment of SHO Sports Presents will be a replay of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: Rocky Juarez vs. Jason Pires from Feb. 1, 2003.  (Juarez is set to face one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters in Juan Manuel Marquez, live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.)

About SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

In March 1986, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was born when “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler defeated John “The Beast” Mugabi in a spectacular and unforgettable 11^th-round knockout in Las Vegas.  Since that time, the network has aired some of the most historic and significant events in the sport including both Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson bouts.

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talented fighters matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise crowd-pleasing and competitive fights while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title.  The growing list of fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes Leonard Dorin, Scott Harrison, Juan Diaz, Jeff Lacy, Ricky Hatton, Joan Guzman, Juan Urango, David Diaz and Robert Guerrero.  Kelly Pavlik became the 22^nd fighter who has fought on ShoBox to win a world title with his victory over Jermain Taylor on Sept. 29, 2007. 

About EliteXC

ProElite, Inc., the parent company of EliteXC, 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 Inc. 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.

For the complete November schedule of SHO Sports Presents, see below. 

CONTACTS:

Chris DeBlasio                                                Ivy Moon

Director, Sports Communications                  Manager, Sports Communications

Showtime Networks Inc.                                 Showtime Networks Inc.

(212) 708-1633                                               (212) 708-7319

Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net                      Ivy.Moon@Showtime.net

SHO Sports Presents November 2007

DATE                         EVENT                                                          CHANNEL          TIME

Thurs., Nov. 1             SCB: Juarez vs. Pires                                  SHO2                   10 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 2                 SCB: J.M. Marquez vs. Jandaeng              SHO2                   10 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 3               SCB: Live Juan Manuel Marquez

                                              Vs. Rocky Juarez                             SHO                     10 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 5               EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Baroni                     SHO2                   10 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 6              SCB: J.M. Marquez vs. Juarez                    SHO2                   10 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 7              EliteXC: Rua vs. Lawler                               SHO2                   10 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 8             EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Baroni                     SHO2                   10 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 9                 EliteXC: Rua vs. Lawler                               SHO2                   10 p.m.

Sat. Nov. 10              EliteXC: Live Diaz Vs. Noons                 SHO                     10 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 12            Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 13           EliteXC: Diaz vs. Noons                               SHO2                   10 p.m.

Wed., Nov., 14           Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 15          ShoBox: Arreola vs. Tann                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 16               Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Mon., Nov. 19            Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 20           Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 21            Vargas-Mayorga:

Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 22          ShoBox: Arreola vs. Oruh                            

Fri., Nov. 23               Vargas-Mayorga:

                                    Countdown To The Brawl                            SHO2                   10 p.m.                

Fri., Nov. 23              Vargas vs. Mayorga: The Brawl             SHOPPV             10 pm ET/7 pm PT

    Live on SHO PPV

Mon., Nov. 26            SCB: N. Donaire vs Darchinyan                  SHO2                   10 p.m.

Tues., Nov. 27           SCB: Tarver vs. Muriqi                                 SHO2                   10 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 28            EliteXC: Shamrock vs. Baroni                     SHO2                   10 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 29          SCB: Dawson vs. Adamek                          SHO2                   10 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 30               SCB: Tarver vs. Muriqi /                               SHO2                   10 p.m.

                                              Dawson vs. Ruiz

For complete listings on all SHOWTIME® programming, please visit www.SHO.com/schedule.

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCES CHUCK LIDDELL vs. WANDERLEI SILVA

UFC 79: NEMESIS

SATURDAY, DEC. 29 LIVE FROM MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER

Tickets on Sale Now

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – For years, UFC® fight fans have speculated about the outcome of a historic dream matchup between two legendary figures in the sport of mixed martial arts, Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. Tonight, on Spike TV’s 2007 Scream Awards, UFC President Dana White announced that this dream will finally become a reality when UFC and PRIDE former champions Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva face each other at UFC 79: NEMESIS live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, December 29, 2007.

“Chuck and Wanderlei – two legends in the sport – will face off in the most important match of their careers at UFC 79,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Chuck and Wanderlei have both wanted this fight for as long as they can remember, and this is definitely the fight that fans have waited for years to see. Finally, PRIDE’s most dangerous striker will face the UFC’s most dangerous striker, and the world will know after years of speculation who will win and who will lose this fight.”
 
Tickets for UFC 79: NEMESIS are on sale now and are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100. Tickets are available through any Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com, www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

A special Internet ticket pre-sale is available now to UFC newsletter subscribers. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com.

There also will be a special auction for Octagon-side floor seats available only through www.ticketmaster.com starting Wednesday, October 24 and ending Monday, November 5.

UFC 79: NEMESIS is available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD) and $49.95 for HD where available.

Liddell (20-5), considered by many to be the greatest light heavyweight fighter of all time, reigned as the 205-pound UFC champion for over three years. He knocked out seven opponents in seven consecutive fights, including Randy Couture (twice), Vernon White, Jeremy Horn, Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Tito Ortiz (twice), before he was defeated by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 71 in May. Chuck now returns to the Octagon to face the fighter he has wanted to fight for years – Wanderlei Silva.

“I’m excited this fight with Wanderlei is finally happening,” said Liddell. “I’ve been saying for a long time that, given the chance, I would knock Wanderlei Silva out. I think this will be a great fight for the fans, and one that lives up to their expectations, because I’m going to hit him until he falls down and stays down.”

The 31-year old Silva (31-7-1), known by fight fans as “The Axe Murderer” for his ultra-aggressive style and finishing ability, began his career almost 11 years ago in his native Brazil, fighting in Vale Tudo bouts that pushed him to the limit as he honed the skills that would soon make him one of the most feared fighters on the planet. He met great success by winning the PRIDE organization’s middleweight championship and defeating the likes of current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson (twice), Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba (three times), Ricardo Arona, Hidehiko Yoshida, and Kazuyuki Fujita, while engaging in some of the most memorable fights in MMA history. Well-rested after his February PRIDE fight against Dan Henderson, Silva is ready to take on Liddell and secure the most important victory of his mixed martial arts career.

“I’ve wanted to fight Chuck for a long time,” said Silva. “I think about this fight a lot, our styles are very similar – we are both great strikers. I’m training very hard, because I want to give my next victory to my fans. After I beat Chuck, then I want to fight the champion.”

In addition to Liddell vs. Silva, UFC 79 features the main event welterweight championship matchup between UFC champion Matt Serra (16-4) and former UFC champion Matt Hughes (43-5).

Current UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, fresh off his knockout victory over Georges St-Pierre in April, looks to defend his title for the first time against the legendary Hughes and secure his own legacy in the UFC 170-pound division. Hughes, a two-time UFC champion with seven combined title defenses to his name, has a deadly ground game that has earned him wins over St-Pierre, BJ Penn, Chris Lytle, Royce Gracie, and Frank Trigg (twice).

For more information about UFC 78, The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale, UFC 79 or any upcoming UFC event, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the UFC® organization produces approximately twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributed throughout the world including broadcast on MAIN EVENT in Australia, Globosat in Brazil and Bravo and Setanta PPV in the United Kingdom. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or www.ufcespanol.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

Athletes Come From Far and Wide for IFL Draft 2008 in New York

MAMARONECK, N.Y., October 20, 2007 -- Nearly 150 mixed martial athletes residing in 20 U.S. states – hailing from at least 10 other countries – came to the L.A. Boxing gym in Mamaroneck, N.Y. today, looking for spots on International Fight League teams at the IFL 2008 Draft. 

It’s likely that none of those had a more rewarding trip to the New York suburb than Levon Maynard, a civilian Air Force computer technician who drove all night from Norfolk, Va., sleeping in his car before standing out among the more than 30 welterweights with an impressive showing in all phases that earned him a spot among the pool of 18 athletes selected by the coaches.

“I would have done anything for this opportunity,” said Maynard, who was joined by his girlfriend on the eight-hour one-way excursion.  “Getting to see where my skills are against a lot of other guys in my weight class with my own level of skill and experience was the best part.”

Under the watchful eye of IFL Commissioner Kurt Otto, “IFL Battleground” host Bas Rutten and Toronto Dragons coach Carlos Newton, each athlete participated in a preliminary session which included takedowns, jiu-jitsu and sparring/kick boxing, contested on mats. 

About 50 moved on to the final round of MMA sparring in the ring. Current IFL athletes Deividas Taurosevicius of the Pitbulls and Shane Ott of the Scorpions served as referees.

The 18 athletes selected join a pool of potential IFL competitors.  They may serve as full team members, alternates, training partners, or potential replacement or Superfight performers as well.

While a quick look at the parking lot outside L.A. Boxing revealed license plates from states as far away as Ohio, Maryland and even Indiana, the crowd of supporters inside the facility was decidedly in the corner of several local athletes, notably Dennis Racanello, 35, of Larchmont, N.Y., and Dyrell Walker, 26, of New Rochelle, N.Y.  Racanello, a faculty member at nearby Iona College, trains at the Mamaroneck L.A. Boxing gym, and his early success in drills and jiu-jitsu produced the loudest cheers.  Walker, a Western Connecticut State University grad who was born in Jamaica but grew up in New Rochelle, went one step further, showing quick moves in the drills and strong sparring skills to impress the coaches.

“There was a great energy in the building today,” said Otto.  “There were some very spirited sparring sessions and I think guys really fed off the energy.”

Another pairing of note was the light heavyweight finals matchup between Armin Mrkanovic, a native of Bosnia who made the Chicago Red Bears roster at the beginning of 2007 but was injured before he could compete for Coach Igor Zinoviev’s squad, and Constantinos Phillipou, another area product who brought an extended contingent of training partners and friends to support him.  Mrkanovic and Phillipou battled it out in an entertaining sparring session which ultimately resulted in both athletes being selected for the pool.

Heavyweights Lenard Terrence of Akwesasne, N.Y. and A.J. Xhudo of Yonkers, N.Y. gave their all in their matchup as well, earning loud applause and spots in the both the qualifier pool and the hearts of the coaches.

“The light heavies and heavies really showed us something today,” said Newton.  “I look for heart. I want to see how they react when they’re hit. These guys were ready to go to battle to win us over, and they did.”

The last of three IFL 2008 Draft sessions is set for next Saturday, October 27, in Schaumburg, Illinois.  Last week, more than 250 athletes competed at the session in Costa Mesa, Calif., at which 27 were selected for the athlete pool.

Here are the qualifiers as selected by the coaches in Mamaroneck:

Lightweights:
James "Binky" Jones
Matt Lee
Torrance Taylor
Mike Willus
James Bova
Al Iaquinta
Anthony Leate

Welterweights:
Tom Gallicchio
Dyrell Walker
Matthew Brown
Tiawan Howard
Levon Maynard

Middleweights:
Danilo Villefort
Armin Mrkanovic

Light heavyweights:
Constantinos Phillipou
Reginald Higgins

Heavyweights:
Lenard Terrence
A.J. Xhudo

UFC 79: Nemesis features Serra vs Hughes on December 29th

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® PRESENTS UFC 79: NEMESIS  SATURDAY, DEC. 29 LIVE FROM MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER

UFC® WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATT “THE TERROR” SERRA vs. MATT HUGHES

Tickets Go on Sale Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 10am PT

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – For a sixth straight season, millions of UFC® fans around the world watched competitors on The Ultimate Fighter® do battle in an attempt to become one of the newest stars in the UFC organization. But fans are also watching another battle rage, this one between the two coaches, UFC welterweight champion Matt “The Terror” Serra and former UFC champion Matt Hughes. Now, the coaches will have their chance to face off inside the Octagon™, with the world welterweight title at stake. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® presents UFC 79: NEMESIS live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, December 29, 2007.

“Matt Hughes and Matt Serra did an awesome job as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and now they are set to fight for Serra’s UFC Welterweight World Championship,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Serra wants to hold on to his title and Hughes wants it back. The show left little doubt about the dislike these two have for each other, and I think this is going to be an explosive fight.”

Tickets for UFC 79: NEMESIS go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 10am PST and are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100. Tickets will be sold at any Mandalay Bay box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the Mandalay Bay box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com, www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Sunday, Oct. 21 at 10am PT via the website www.ufc.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Tuesday, Oct. 23 starting at 10am PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com.

There also will be a special auction for Octagon-side floor seats available only through www.ticketmaster.com starting Wednesday, October 24 and ending Monday, November 5.

UFC 79: NEMESIS is available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m.

PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD) and $49.95 for HD where available.

Current UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra (16-4) is proof that The Ultimate Fighter not only produces top contenders in the UFC, it produces champions. The winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, Serra plowed his way through the reality show to win a “comeback” shot for the 170-pound title against then champion Georges St-Pierre. In what turned out to be an upset win of epic proportions for Serra, the Long Island native overwhelmed “Rush” with a barrage of strikes and stopped him cold at 3:25 of the first round. Now Serra looks to defend his title against the legendary Hughes and secure his own legacy in the UFC 170-pound division.

“I think this is going to be a tough fight. As a person, I can’t stand Matt Hughes, I don’t like him at all, but I respect him as a fighter,” said Serra. “You can’t deny what he has accomplished as a fighter, but he basically thinks my last fight was a fluke, like I don’t belong in there with him. I believe there’s one way Matt Hughes can beat me, but I can beat him several different ways, and I plan on beating him on all fronts.”
Hughes (43-5), a two-time UFC champion with seven combined title defenses to his name, has a deadly ground game that has earned him wins over St-Pierre, BJ Penn, Chris Lytle, Royce Gracie, and Frank Trigg (twice). After giving up his title to St-Pierre at UFC 65, Hughes returned to the Octagon at UFC 68 in March to take on The Ultimate Fighter Season 4 finalist Chris Lytle. He won via unanimous decision, and ever since then, he has waited for the opportunity to fight for the title and he wants to prove that he is not only the best 170-pounder in the division today, but that he is the greatest 170-pound fighter ever to fight in the UFC.

“To me, Serra is just another opponent,” said Hughes. “He’s just another guy that likes to run his mouth. I think nine out of 10 times he loses to GSP, so Serra did get lucky once, maybe. I think I have a lot more ways to win this fight than he does – I just need to watch out for those looping punches.”

For more information about UFC 77, UFC 78, The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale, UFC 79 or any upcoming UFC event, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

WCL Kicks Off the 2007 Season in Denver

24 Fights 4 Teams 1 Night

October 19, 2007

Denver Coliseum, Denver, CO
The highly anticipated 2007 kicks off at the Denver Coliseum in Denver, CO on October 19th.
The league's newest team the Denver Fury will be taking on the Texas Dragons.
The Los Angeles Stars will be battling the Oklahoma Destroyers as well.

Denver vs. Texas is the kind of “you pick’em” match up that could be easily argued either way. They both have similar fighting styles and are very tough in several positions. This one might be decided by coaching strategy; knowing which athletes to start and which to hold in reserve for the second half. Or it could be decided by which team best adapts to the WCL’s pace, in this the first event of the season. Even if you’ve fought in WCL before it is very difficult to be prepared for the toughest three minutes in sports. One thing is for sure, the action and drama that this match-up will create makes our fans the ultimate winners.
Angel Valerio	vs.	Sherif Ghaly
Colby Snyder	vs.	Charles Wilson
Ronnie Copeland	vs.	Lawson Baker
Katie Meehan	vs.	Marily Martin
Matt Callahan	vs.	Damion Caldwell
Jack Johnson	vs.	Nick Gonzalez
HALF TIME
Angel Valerio Scott Clark	vs.	Sherif Ghaly Chico Mendez
Colby Snyder Jesse Miles	vs.	Charles Wilson Matt Foshee
Ronnie Copeland Damond Clark	vs.	Lawson Baker Galen Flemons
Katie Meehan Kornelija Numic	vs.	Marily Martin Gia Wilson
Matt Callahan London Pray	vs.	Damion Caldwell Antoine Mcrae
Jack Johnson Tom Johnson	vs.	Nick Gonzalez Shannon Hudson