LAS VEGAS (Feburary 26, 2012) - Hall of Fame Referee Richard Steele has hooked up with MMA amateur sensation Mihai Cotruta and will serve as his advisor as he launches his pro career. Cotruta is from Moldova, a state in Eastern Europe that sits between Romania and Ukraine and was once a part of the old communist Soviet Union. Cotruta has had an impressive track record to date with an 8-1 amateur record and a list of accomplishments that includes: 2011 Combat Sambo National Champion, 3rd place in the 2010 World Combat Sambo Championships and 2nd place in the National Wrestling Championships.
Steele knows great talent when he sees it and believes Cotruta has a bright future in MMA.
"I am very excited to work with Mihai to help launch his pro career and help guide him towards a world championship," stated Steele.
"I have been around all the greats in boxing and know what it takes to be successful in that arena and I have studied the fighters that are successful in MMA and I believe that Mihai has that same potential. His experience in Combat Sambo, a Russian martial art that has roots in Judo and Wrestling, is the perfect foundation for MMA. I will help him in boxing as a striker and then the skies the limit," added Steele.
Steele has also promoted professional MMA under the Steele Cage banner in Nevada and Texas since 2007 and has seen first hand the growth of the sport from the UFC in Las Vegas. Steele was also the recipient of a recent donation of equipment from the UFC to support his amateur MMA program that included appearances by UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell and heavyweight contender Roy Nelson.
"I have run an amateur boxing program for over 10 years in Las Vegas and have been involved with MMA for the last 5 years and have watched the explosion of the UFC. If I can help an individual in either sport improve their life and their families than that's what I want to do," said Steele.
At first glance, you may wonder how a young, new generation fighter from the post Soviet Union ends up in Las Vegas under the guidance of a former boxing referee, but to Steele it is not that surprising.
"I was fortunate to travel the world during one of boxing's greatest eras and work fights with some of the best fighters of all time such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Marvin Hagler and Mike Tyson. Most people recognize me around the world from those great fights and although some are too young to have seen them, they have heard stories from their father and grandfathers," stated Steele.
"It has certainly helped me stay connected to these young fighters and get their respect," Steele added.
Steele is currently seeking fights for Cotruta in Nevada, California, Arizona and Texas and hopes to get him the experience needed at the club level before he places a call to the UFC.
"UFC is at the top of the food chain and you better be ready if and when that opportunity comes. My goal is to prepare Mihai for that opportunity and we will take it from there," said Steele.
About Richard Steele
Richard Steele is one of the most respected and recognized individuals in the fight game and an established entity. He has been involved in boxing for over 40 years, first as a fighter and then arguably boxing's best and most famous referee. Elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000, Mr. Steele has refereed 172 championship fights, more than any other referee in history. He was also elected to the Masters Hall of Fame in 2007 for his leadership and devotion to the Martial Arts community.
Richard Steele also founded Richard Steele Promotions, Inc. where he promotes boxing and MMA under the Steele Cage banner. Richard Steele Promotions has promoted fights in Nevada, California, Arizona, Texas and Mexico.
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