RFA 18 GETS A NEW FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT

MANZANARES vs. PANTOJA   IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO   RFA 18 - MANZANARES vs. PANTOJA MAIN EVENT: MATT MANZANARES vs. ALEXANDRE PANTOJA FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CO-MAIN EVENT: ULYSSES GOMEZ vs. ABEL CULLUM BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH LIVE ON AXS TV Live at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico   Tickets On Sale through HOLDMYTICKET.com RFA HEADS TO ALBUQUERQUE, NM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, LIVE ON AXS TV   Tickets On Sale through HOLDMYTICKET.com  LAS VEGAS - Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be bringing an explosive new top-tier flyweight world title fight to New Mexico in September. RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja will feature a main event between two of the world's top flyweights as RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares defends his title for the first time against Brazilian dynamo Alexandre Pantoja. In the co-main event, popular UFC vet Ulysses Gomez returns to action against Abel Cullum, who is also an accomplished bantamweight looking to make a successful comeback. The event takes place Friday, September 12th at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. "I'm pleased to announce that the RFA will be bringing an exciting new flyweight title fight to New Mexico," stated Soares. "Once again, Matt Manzanares has shown his eagerness to compete against the best in the world. After Joby Sanchez got the call to the UFC, Manzanares will now defend his title against Brazilian champion and Nova União star Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of RFA 18."   Tickets for RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja are available for purchase NOW through HoldMyTicket.com.   Manzanares (8-2) has made name for himself in the RFA as one of the most exciting and fearless fighters in RFA history, who is always eager to test his skills against the best in the world. This will be the sixth fight in the RFA for the Wyoming native, who has accepted fights against the who's who of the flyweight division since joining the promotion in the summer of 2012. Manzanares' last three fights have come against Junior Maranhão, Zach Makovsky, and Steve Swanson, but in that time, he also had fights scheduled with Sergio Pettis, Leandro Higo, and Joby Sanchez that fell through due to injury, visa issues, and a UFC call-up respectively. After defeating Maranhão to win the RFA flyweight title in his hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming in April, Manzanares will now look to defend his title for the first time against one of the most dangerous flyweights in the sport. Manzanares will be defending his title 11 days after his 28th birthday and plans to celebrate in style.  Pantoja (14-2) will challenge Manzanares for his world title in his highly-anticipated American-soil MMA debut. The dynamic Shooto - Brazil champion will be riding the momentum of a 7-fight win streak that extends well over 4 years. During this impressive run, Pantoja has defeated fellow Brazilian prospects Bruno Azevedo and Lincoln De Sa. He submitted Azevedo via Rear Naked Choke and defeated De Sa twice. The jiu-jitsu brown belt also enjoys the benefit of fighting out of Nova União, which is one of the top MMA teams in the world. UFC champion Jose Aldo, former UFC champion Renan Barão, UFC star Jussier Formiga, RFA star Raoni Barcelos, Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas, and Bellator star Marlon Sandro are just a few of his teammates at Nova União. The 24-year-old Andre Pederneiras protégé will now make his own international debut as he faces the biggest test of his career. Pantoja faces Manzanares, a Junior Olympian boxer turned MMA champion, for the RFA flyweight title in the main event of RFA 18.  The co-main event of RFA 18 will see the return of the always popular Ulysses Gomez (9-4). The 31-year-old earned a name for himself on the competitive jiu-jitsu and submission grappling circuit over a decade ago after being introduced to the the "gentle art" by UFC vet, jiu-jitsu black belt, and "Peruvian Necktie" creator Tony De Souza. De Souza was Gomez's wrestling coach in high school. Gomez then became one of the founding members of the famed Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu academy in Las Vegas, Nevada before crossing over into MMA. In MMA, Gomez became one of the first American fighters to help promote the flyweight division before the UFC established the division in 2012. Gomez would eventually win titles in both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions before earning a two-fight stint with the UFC. In his final fight with the UFC, Gomez lost a close decision to local English fighter Phil Harris and does not plan on going to the score cards again as he prepares to travel his next to opponent's hometown at RFA 18. "Abel Cullum has a lot of fights and a good record, but he hasn't fought in 3 years. I'm not sure what he's been doing in that time, but fighters always train and I'm sure he's gotten better," stated Gomez. "I don't think he's better than me in any area and I plan on ending this fight early either standing or on the ground. I will not let this fight go to the hometown score cards like it did in my last fight. I know I have to finish him." Abel Cullum (18-6) returns to the sport of MMA after a 3-year hiatus from competition. In that time, Cullum served as an officer for the Tucumcari Police Department in his hometown of Tucumcari, New Mexico. Before that, Cullum and his trademark cowboy hat were a familiar sight on the bantamweight and flyweight MMA scene both nationally and internationally, where Cullum has competed against some of the world's best in the Japanese promotion DREAM, as well as KOTC and ShoXC. The 27-year-old recently decided to put his career in law enforcement on hold and moved to Albuquerque to prepare himself at Fit NHB and Chavez Dojo for a revamped run in the sport of MMA. "I'm excited to be fighting again. RFA has given me a great opportunity to make a comeback in my home state on national television," stated Cullum. "Ulysses Gomez is a really good jiu-jitsu guy that has fought in the UFC. This is a good comeback fight for me, because I think Ulysses and I are similar in the way that we can both roll with the punches and take the fight anywhere. I plan on controlling the tempo and getting my hand raised in front of a lot of great New Mexico fight fans." Also on the main card of RFA 18 will be an explosive welterweight contest pitting RFA fan favorite Chidi "Chidi Bang Bang" Njokuani (10-4) against submission specialist Steve Hanna (4-1). In lightweight action, decorated French fighter and Muay Thai standout Mehdi "The Sultan" Baghdad (9-3) faces Evan DeLong (13-7) who has won 6 of his last 7 fights. In the bantamweight division, local favorite and Bellator vet Adrian "Killa" Cruz (5-1-1) will square off with promising Power MMA product Joey "The Beast" Miolla (4-1).  The entire main card of RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja will be televised live on AXS TV starting at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday, September 12th. RFA 18 will be the promotion's first event in the state of New Mexico and the tenth state that the RFA has visited. More fights on the RFA 18 fight card will be announced soon. Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting. About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents up to 10 fights annually around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 40 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).   About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET. WATCH RFA MMA EXCLUSIVELY ON:                     Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.

RFA 18 GETS A NEW FLYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT  MANZANARES vs. PANTOJA   IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO   RFA 18 - MANZANARES vs. PANTOJA MAIN EVENT: MATT MANZANARES vs. ALEXANDRE PANTOJA FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE CO-MAIN EVENT: ULYSSES GOMEZ vs. ABEL CULLUM BANTAMWEIGHT SHOWDOWN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH LIVE ON AXS TV Live at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico   Tickets On Sale through HOLDMYTICKET.com RFA HEADS TO ALBUQUERQUE, NM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, LIVE ON AXS TV   Tickets On Sale through HOLDMYTICKET.com  LAS VEGAS - Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be bringing an explosive new top-tier flyweight world title fight to New Mexico in September. RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja will feature a main event between two of the world's top flyweights as RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares defends his title for the first time against Brazilian dynamo Alexandre Pantoja. In the co-main event, popular UFC vet Ulysses Gomez returns to action against Abel Cullum, who is also an accomplished bantamweight looking to make a successful comeback. The event takes place Friday, September 12th at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. "I'm pleased to announce that the RFA will be bringing an exciting new flyweight title fight to New Mexico," stated Soares. "Once again, Matt Manzanares has shown his eagerness to compete against the best in the world. After Joby Sanchez got the call to the UFC, Manzanares will now defend his title against Brazilian champion and Nova União star Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of RFA 18."   Tickets for RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja are available for purchase NOW through HoldMyTicket.com.   Manzanares (8-2) has made name for himself in the RFA as one of the most exciting and fearless fighters in RFA history, who is always eager to test his skills against the best in the world. This will be the sixth fight in the RFA for the Wyoming native, who has accepted fights against the who's who of the flyweight division since joining the promotion in the summer of 2012. Manzanares' last three fights have come against Junior Maranhão, Zach Makovsky, and Steve Swanson, but in that time, he also had fights scheduled with Sergio Pettis, Leandro Higo, and Joby Sanchez that fell through due to injury, visa issues, and a UFC call-up respectively. After defeating Maranhão to win the RFA flyweight title in his hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming in April, Manzanares will now look to defend his title for the first time against one of the most dangerous flyweights in the sport. Manzanares will be defending his title 11 days after his 28th birthday and plans to celebrate in style.  Pantoja (14-2) will challenge Manzanares for his world title in his highly-anticipated American-soil MMA debut. The dynamic Shooto - Brazil champion will be riding the momentum of a 7-fight win streak that extends well over 4 years. During this impressive run, Pantoja has defeated fellow Brazilian prospects Bruno Azevedo and Lincoln De Sa. He submitted Azevedo via Rear Naked Choke and defeated De Sa twice. The jiu-jitsu brown belt also enjoys the benefit of fighting out of Nova União, which is one of the top MMA teams in the world. UFC champion Jose Aldo, former UFC champion Renan Barão, UFC star Jussier Formiga, RFA star Raoni Barcelos, Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas, and Bellator star Marlon Sandro are just a few of his teammates at Nova União. The 24-year-old Andre Pederneiras protégé will now make his own international debut as he faces the biggest test of his career. Pantoja faces Manzanares, a Junior Olympian boxer turned MMA champion, for the RFA flyweight title in the main event of RFA 18.  The co-main event of RFA 18 will see the return of the always popular Ulysses Gomez (9-4). The 31-year-old earned a name for himself on the competitive jiu-jitsu and submission grappling circuit over a decade ago after being introduced to the the "gentle art" by UFC vet, jiu-jitsu black belt, and "Peruvian Necktie" creator Tony De Souza. De Souza was Gomez's wrestling coach in high school. Gomez then became one of the founding members of the famed Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu academy in Las Vegas, Nevada before crossing over into MMA. In MMA, Gomez became one of the first American fighters to help promote the flyweight division before the UFC established the division in 2012. Gomez would eventually win titles in both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions before earning a two-fight stint with the UFC. In his final fight with the UFC, Gomez lost a close decision to local English fighter Phil Harris and does not plan on going to the score cards again as he prepares to travel his next to opponent's hometown at RFA 18. "Abel Cullum has a lot of fights and a good record, but he hasn't fought in 3 years. I'm not sure what he's been doing in that time, but fighters always train and I'm sure he's gotten better," stated Gomez. "I don't think he's better than me in any area and I plan on ending this fight early either standing or on the ground. I will not let this fight go to the hometown score cards like it did in my last fight. I know I have to finish him." Abel Cullum (18-6) returns to the sport of MMA after a 3-year hiatus from competition. In that time, Cullum served as an officer for the Tucumcari Police Department in his hometown of Tucumcari, New Mexico. Before that, Cullum and his trademark cowboy hat were a familiar sight on the bantamweight and flyweight MMA scene both nationally and internationally, where Cullum has competed against some of the world's best in the Japanese promotion DREAM, as well as KOTC and ShoXC. The 27-year-old recently decided to put his career in law enforcement on hold and moved to Albuquerque to prepare himself at Fit NHB and Chavez Dojo for a revamped run in the sport of MMA. "I'm excited to be fighting again. RFA has given me a great opportunity to make a comeback in my home state on national television," stated Cullum. "Ulysses Gomez is a really good jiu-jitsu guy that has fought in the UFC. This is a good comeback fight for me, because I think Ulysses and I are similar in the way that we can both roll with the punches and take the fight anywhere. I plan on controlling the tempo and getting my hand raised in front of a lot of great New Mexico fight fans." Also on the main card of RFA 18 will be an explosive welterweight contest pitting RFA fan favorite Chidi "Chidi Bang Bang" Njokuani (10-4) against submission specialist Steve Hanna (4-1). In lightweight action, decorated French fighter and Muay Thai standout Mehdi "The Sultan" Baghdad (9-3) faces Evan DeLong (13-7) who has won 6 of his last 7 fights. In the bantamweight division, local favorite and Bellator vet Adrian "Killa" Cruz (5-1-1) will square off with promising Power MMA product Joey "The Beast" Miolla (4-1).  The entire main card of RFA 18 - Manzanares vs. Pantoja will be televised live on AXS TV starting at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday, September 12th. RFA 18 will be the promotion's first event in the state of New Mexico and the tenth state that the RFA has visited. More fights on the RFA 18 fight card will be announced soon. Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting. About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents up to 10 fights annually around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 40 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved). About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET. WATCH RFA MMA EXCLUSIVELY ON:                     Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Orthrus Promotions Presents ‘Triple A MMA V: Redemption at the Rock’ in Albuquerque, New Mexico March 29

Albuquerque, NM (February 14, 2014) – Fast-rising mixed martial arts promotion, Triple A MMA, makes its way back to New Mexico after their long-awaited and  very successful Texas debut.  Orthrus Promotions is proud to present ‘Triple A MMA V: Redemption at the Rock’ on Saturday March 29, 2014.  The event will take place at the Camel Rock Casino Event Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.TripleAMMA.com or by calling 505-508-0876.

According to C.O.O., J.R. Rodriguez, “Our Texas debut went extremely well. It was definitely a great way to kick off 2014! We are very excited to follow up our Texas debut with a premium MMA event in our home state of New Mexico. The card is stacked with elite talent and the Camel Rock Casino is a great venue. Fans are in for a treat! ” 

In the night's headlining contest, Pojoaque native Angelo “San I Warrior” Sanchez (11-5) meets Jackson-Winklejohn’s Gabriel “Moggly” Benitez (15-4). Sanchez, a one-time Bellator MMA veteran, looks to kick off 2014 with an impressive win over Benitez, who is arguably his toughest opponent to date.  Sanchez plans to make a statement by finishing Benitez early on, but it will not be an easy task. Benitez, a hard-hitting Tijuana native, currently has a 93% finishing rate and boasts fifteen professional victories.  

The co-main event featuring featherweight sluggers Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (4-1) and Derek Perez (4-2), promises to be just as exciting! This well-matched bout undoubtedly has fight of the night potential. Fans can expect an all out war when these explosive featherweight’s clash in the cage!

Quintana, who trains with Luttrell’s MMA camp in the Rio Rancho area, will be stepping into the cage for the first time in over a year. Quintana plans to shake off the cage rust with a win over Perez, a tough Los Lunas native. Perez, who owns and operates Perez Fighting System, will look to play spoiler and improve his record to (5 – 2).

Not only will the night's eleven bout-fight card showcase many of the Southwest’s top MMA contenders, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black-Belts Quinn Mulhern (Gracie Barra-NM) and Josh Lanier (Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu) will compete in New Mexico’s first ever No-Gi  Superfight, brought to you by Combat Sports Club. 

Mulhern, who recently announced his retirement from MMA/UFC action, looks to keep his competitive juices flowing by taking on fellow BJJ contender Josh Lanier in a winner take all, submission only bout.  Lanier, who also recently retired from MMA/Bellator action, will look to cement his grappling skills within the New Mexico Combat Sports community by defeating Jiu-Jitsu with the Gracie-Barra NM Professor. 

The night's eleven bout-fight card will be streamed live atwww.TripleAMMA.com. The complete fight card is listed below.

Main Card (All Pro Bouts)

Angelo “San I Warrior” Sanchez vs. Gabriel “Moggly” Benitez

Andres Quintana vs. Derek Perez

Quinn Mulhern vs. Josh Lanier (No-Gi Submission Only Superfight)

Natalie Roy vs. Nikki Lowe (Featured Female Bout)

Joel Whitney vs. Stephan Cervantes

Jerome Rivera vs. Levi Lucero

Undercard

Lindsay Jones vs. Michelle Williamson

Carlos Casados vs. Dennis Garcia

Max Spiller vs. Bruce Lee Romero

Johel Delone vs. Nate Armstrong

Javier Cepeda vs. Kip Lewis

*Card Subject to Change

’Triple A MMA V: Redemption at the Rock’ is Orthrus Promotions’ third combat sports event of 2014.  Additional event dates and locations will be announced soon!  *Tickets are $20 for GA, $30, $40 and $50. All seats are reserved and available to purchase now online,www.TripleAMMA.com, or by calling 505-508-0876. For more information on Triple A MMA, please visit www.tripleamma.com. Fans can also follow Triple A MMA on Twitter at @TripleA_MMA.

*Additional fees may apply.

About Triple A MMA

Triple A MMA is a professional Mixed Martial Arts company which strives to achieve the very best in combat sports value and opportunity. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Triple A MMA currently operates and hosts professional and amateur mixed martial arts events, both locally and in several States across the country. Triple A MMA differentiates itself from other MMA organizations by giving fighters the opportunity to take the next step into one of the largest MMA organizations in the world today. The Triple A MMA athletes forge their own path to the “big leagues” with our unique and one of a kind “Win To Get In” events. We give our athletes more than just another fight, we give them a fighting chance and opportunity in the growing competitive sport of Mixed Martial Arts!

About Orthrus Promotions

Orthrus Promotions is a professional entertainment company, bringing the very best in entertainment value.  Orthrus currently operates and hosts concerts in several states, but proudly calls New Mexico their home.  Originally a music entertainment company, Orthrus has now expanded into the fight scene, partnering with Bellator, to bring great MMA events to the people of New Mexico and other States throughout the U.S.

BELLATOR ANNOUNCES RAMPAGE VS. TITO PAY-PER-VIEW

Live Saturday, November 2^nd

Newport Beach, CA. (Wednesday, July 31st) – It was announced live inside the Bellator cage tonight that two of the biggest names in MMA  Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito “The People’s Champion” Ortiz will meet in a light heavyweight battle live on PPV Saturday, November 2^nd.  The announcement was made with both Rampage and Tito inside the Bellator cage to a nationally televised audience on Spike TV at Bellator 97 inside The Santa Ana Star Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Rampage vs. Tito” will be held at Southern California’s Long Beach Arena, with tickets on sale at 10 AM PST this Saturday, August 3^rd. Tickets can be purchased on Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com, as well as at the Long Beach Arena Box Office.

“To have two of the biggest names in MMA headline our first PPV is awesome,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “Rampage vs. Tito is a fight I’ve wanted to see for years and to have it as our Main Event on our first Pay-Per-View is a spectacular next step in Bellator’s evolution. They’re both re-energized, excited and ready for a war. This will be a great fight.”

“Honestly, I feel like I’ve been re-born.,” Jackson said. “My excitement, energy and aggression, it’s all back and bigger than ever. I feel like a kid again. The Rampage you’ll see Nov. 2^nd will be better than any Rampage you’ve ever seen.  Everybody knows Tito and I have a very long history. He’s a former teammate and friend, and it’s one of the reasons I stayed away from the UFC as long as I did.  But, I want to be very clear; any sort of friendship we once had doesn’t exist when that cage door shuts. I’ve got a ton to prove on November 2^nd, and unfortunately for Tito he’s the guy I have to make an example of. He’s in my house now and Saturday, November 2^nd on PPV, it’s going to be a horrible night for Tito Ortiz.”   

“I’m back,” Ortiz stated. “Over the last few years, my passion for MMA was completely killed, dealing with UFC politics and with Dana. I didn’t have that drive to compete, my heart wasn’t in it. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m free. Bjorn and Bellator put together an opportunity that made me part of the promotion, part of the family.  I feel like I can breathe again and my old friend is going to be on the receiving end of all that happiness turned into an old school Tito Ortiz ground and pound beating. I’ve fought and beaten the very best in MMA history and on Nov. 2^nd, Rampage will be the next huge win on my record. This is a new era for the People’s Champion.”

Jackson arrived in Bellator in June as a former Pride and UFC champion, having last fought on Spike TV in September 2007, in a fight vs. Dan Henderson that drew nearly 6 million viewers, making it one of the most watched fights in the sport’s history. In 2009, Jackson served as a coach on Spike’s “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,” the highest-rated season by far in franchise history, delivering over 3 million viewers per week. Rampage joins a Bellator Light Heavyweight division that features “King Mo”, Emanuel Newton, Vladimir Matyushenko, Attila Vegh and now, Tito Ortiz.

Ortiz joins Bellator as a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and throughout his career has been one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures during his sixteen year career, fighting the likes of Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans and Ken Shamrock. A true MMA icon, Ortiz will now start a new chapter of his career fighting under the Bellator banner beginning on November 2^nd.

More information regarding Bellator’s first PPV will be made available in the coming weeks. A press conference with Rampage and Ortiz will take place on Monday, August 5^th. Information regarding the press conference will be available shortly.

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

Prazak working with Rijker for Dec. 7 world title fight vs. Holm

FIRE AND ICE  Holly Holm vs. Diana Prazak IBA Light Welterweight Championship Route 66 Casino Hotel ● Albuquerque, NM ● Dec. 7, 2012

Diana Prazak trained by Lucia Rijker for Dec. 7   World title fight vs. 'Queen of Boxing' Holly Holm   At Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque (L-R) Lucia Rijker and Diana Prazak (photo by Marieke Niestadt) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (November 15, 2012) - WIBA super featherweight champion Diana Prazak (11-1, 7 KOs) is being trained by former great Lucia Rijker and neither are concerned about Prazak moving-up in weight to challenge 12-time, three division world champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs), headlining the Fresquez Productions-presented "Fire And Ice" show, in a 10-round main event for the International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) light welterweight titles at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. Prazak, a native of Australia, is now fighting out of Los Angeles. She recently replaced Myriam Lamare (20-3, 10 KOs) as Holm's new opponent on Dec. 7. In her last fight, Prazak defended her WIBA super featherweight title that she won in 2011 with a victory by unanimous decision over Fatuma Aarika (24-5-1). "I'm a determined fighter," said Prazak, who has relocated to Los Angeles. "I have fought at 130-135-pounds; however, I walk around at 145. I will feel much stronger at 140 because I don't have to starve myself. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to work with some great champions, not to mention the rounds I get in with my trainer, Lucia Rijker. If I can get punched by the most dangerous women in the world, I most definitely do not have any concerns about being hit by girls in other weight classes. I've been training with RijkerStriker for almost eight months and I've learned a lot being in America and about what it takes to be a pro fighter." The 31-year-old, newly married Holm (31-2-3, 9 KOs) has defeated the world's best boxers, from the 140 through 154-pound weight classes, including Lamare, Ann Sophie Mathis, Christy Martin, Mary Jo Sanders, Mia St. John, Jane Couch,Duda Yankovich and Chevelle Hallback (twice). "Holly is a great champion who always steps into the fight in top shape and with a great fight plan," a respectful Prazak commented. "She is fast on her feet and can run like crazy; this and the high altitude in New Mexico burn out a lot of her opponents. I'll be training in LA and New Mexico for this fight. After Holly came back from a brutal beating from Mathis, by fighting an intelligent and courageous fight, Holly has all my respect and she earned the right to be called, pound-for-pound, the best today. "I think it's great that she has such great hometown support. Three-thousand people (regularly attending her fights in Albuquerque) are great. My dream is for myself and for other women fighters to fight for crowds of 30,000. This is just the beginning. It is a great honor to fight a champion like Holly. I'm just looking forward to get the opportunity to fight the best fighters in the world. I have no doubt that we are going to put on a great show for all of the fans to see. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the victory, is my mantra." Supporting fights showcasing local boxers will feature light welterweight Matthew "Champ" Baca (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Derek Perez (pro debut) in a four-round bout, female light welterweight Victoria "La Reina de la Guerra" Cisneros (8-13-2, 3 KOs) vs.Kita Watkins (7-9, 1 KO) in a six-round match, bantamweight Raymond "Hollewood" Montez (5-2, 3 KOs) vs. Tony Valdez (6-6-3, 6 KOs) in a much-anticipated eight-round rematch, amateur standout Jason Sanchez makes his pro debut in a four-round fight vs. featherweight Gene Perez (1-0). For more information about "Fire And Ice" go on line towww.FresquezProductions.com or www.rt66casino.com.