History will be made as the first ever mixed martial arts event is set to take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday November 21, 2014
New York, NY (November 17, 2014) –Victory Combat Sports, New York’s premiere MMA promotion, was the first to host a legally sanctioned amateur MMA event in New York City earlier this year. The promotion is now set to host ‘Victory VII’, the first mixed martial arts event ever to be held at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden,. The Muay Thai and amateur Mixed Martial Arts event will take place on November 21, 2014.
Victory Combat Sports has joined forces with Take On Productions to produce this historic event, featuring the best in Muay Thai Kickboxing talent and New York’s premiere amateur MMA fighters. Take On Productions was responsible for Muay Thai at the Mecca I and II, marking the first kick boxing events at Madison Square Garden.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with Victory Combat Sports. We look forward to combining the level of production and Muay Thai fights that New York fans have come to expect from Take On, with the energy and excitement of Victory MMA to bring “Victory VII”. Having it be the first MMA event at the Garden just puts the icing on the cake!” stated Take On CEO Mike Gasparski.
Victory Combat Sports CEO, Kevin Lillis, has a restaurant and hospitality background and it comes across at Victory events. The organization has successfully put somewhat of a ‘New York spin’ on the MMA formula by hosting premier fight events in a high-class party atmosphere. Victory events attract a wide range of fight fans, from high level business executives and every day couples that just want to enjoy a night on the town, to celebrity chefs such as Laurent Gras and Paul Liebrandt.
Victory CEO Kevin Lillis stated, “When you look out into the crowd at a Victory event you see a sea of men in business suits and women in cocktail dresses mingling with every day fight fans. They are all there with the same objective, to enjoy a great night of entertainment, which just happens to include high-level fights sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association. It is a classy atmosphere, a true NY ‘show’ experience.”
Lillis went on to say, “We’re very excited for the opportunity to make history again by bringing the first ever MMA event to MSG. We’re always very excited to give the fans another great show in a fantastic venue”
According to media reviews following the promotions first event in Manhattan, Victory Combat Sports has raised the bar when it comes to hosting amateur MMA events in New York. The fact that they have been approved to host the first MMA event ever to be held at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden is further proof of that. Events like this could very well bring MMA in New York City closer to being sanctioned.
New York is currently the only place where MMA remains unsanctioned in all of North America, but Victory executives feel it is only a matter of time until it becomes legalized. They have already made some great strides in the NY amateur MMA scene and hope to be one of the first to host a pro MMA event in NY.
“Victory VII”, the biggest event ever sanctioned by the WKA in New York, will feature an explosive fight card including the best Muay Thai and MMA fighters alternating in the ring, with several titles on the line.
The stacked card will feature knockout artist Chris “The Polish Punisher” in a clash of styles with the rangy Spencer Grekowski in the Main Event. Take On Muay Thai champ Ariel Abreu in a MMA showdownagainst NYC’s Chike Obi and heavy-handed Pawel Zawistowski will take on Muay Thai standout Manny Casais in a 3 Round Victory Title fight. 2012 wrestling Olympian Ibrahim Farag, UFC Gym’s NJ Mac, undefeated Take On Muay Thai Champ Jason Van Oijen and many other top standouts are also slated to compete on the card.
The best local female fighters will also showcase their skills at “Victory VII”. 2013 Female Fighter of the Year Gianna Smith, Long Island’s own Jess Cavagnaro, and undefeated MMA star Katalina Morales will put it all on the line under the Victory banner. All of the top tri-state gyms will be represented by fighters in the biggest MMA event to come to New York. Major sponsors for ‘Victory VII’ include Sailor Jerry,Tullamore DEW and Hooters.
Tickets start at just $55 and are available at www.theateratmsg.com, all Ticketmaster locations, the Garden box office, and at Muay Thai and MMA gyms throughout NY, NJ, and PA. Victory VIP ticket packages are also available via www.VictoryCombatSports.
Victory Combat Sports has also partnered with United Fight Alliance (UFA) to air this highly anticipated fight card via tape delay to over 100 million North American homes. Air dates and times to be announced soon.
About Victory Combat Sports:
Victory includes partners with extensive experience in fight promotion, matchmaking, film production and directing, hospitality, branding and advertising, politics, photography, marketing, finance, and fine dining. Victory’s operations team has produced over 225 boxing, kickboxing and MMA events in six states (including Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington State), including events at Madison Square Garden Theater, Beacon Hall, and Bally’s Casino (Atlantic City). Layered into the group are hospitality executives that will focus on improving the guest experience with better food and beverage service, better music and lighting designs, and overall more “fan-friendly” events that make the events a lot more fun and showcase our sponsors better. Finally, the team includes an experienced production team that will provide high-quality video and audio production to allow our fans who are unable to attend the ability to remain on their couch and feel like they are sitting cage-side.
