Las Vegas – UFC® and the Fremont Street Experience today announced that multi-platinum recording artists
Dropkick Murphys will headline the Fremont Street Experience concert on Friday, July 10, as part of the 4th Annual UFC International Fight Week™. The concert, which is free to the public, will be located at 425 Fremont Street on the 3rd Street Stage. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

No strangers to UFC, its fighters and fans, Dropkick Murphys will kick off its 19-city international tour here in Las Vegas during UFC International Fight Week, which takes place from Tuesday, July 7, through Sunday, July 12.

An American-Celtic punk rock band from Quincy, Massachusetts, Dropkick Murphys have released eight albums and sold more than four million records during its 19-year career. With multiple chart-topping singles that have served as backdrops for Academy Award-winning films, World Series Champions and UFC Hall of Fame fighters, the group has developed a longstanding relationship as UFC fan favorites.

With signature songs such as “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” “Tessie,” “Going Out in Style” and “The State of Massachusetts,” the Dropkick’s universal style is befitting of UFC International Fight Week, the largest global celebration of combat sports in the world.

UFC International Fight Week features a UFC Fan Expo®, the 2015 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a UFC Reebok experience, the Ulti-man 5k, UFC Gym® Fitness Challenge and various martial arts tournaments, as well as fan events at Fremont Street Experience. UFC International Fight Week will be capped off with two highly anticipated events in UFC® 189: ALDO vs. MCGREGOR on Saturday, July 11 and The Ultimate Fighter® Finale on Sunday, July 12.

Fans can now pre-register and join the UFC fan community at www.ufcregister.com to make the most of their UFC International Fight Week experience. They can earn UFC Rewards points and automatically upload UFC activation images and video to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

UFCFightWeek.com is the official destination for the most current list of scheduled events, with an official UFC International Fight Week App launching late-June in the Apple and Google Play stores.

The following events are currently scheduled for UFC International Fight Week:

Wednesday, July 8
· IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships at The Flamingo (beginning Monday, July 6)
· Official UFC 189 Open Workouts
· UFC Community Day

Thursday, July 9
· IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships at The Flamingo
· USJJO Ju-Jitsu National Championships at Harrah’s Las Vegas
· Liquid pool party at Aria hosted by UFC stars
· Official UFC 189 press conference at MGM Grand
· Charity bowling at Brooklyn Bowl with UFC fighters

Friday, July 10
· UFC Fan Expo® (Day I)
o USBJJF American Jiu Jitsu Championships (Gi and No Gi)
o WAKO North American Amateur Kickboxing Championship
o ISKA Vegas Open
o The Ultimate Wrestling Championships
· UFC Gym® Fitness Challenge ($35,000 Prize Money)
· Official UFC 189 Weigh-In at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· Official UFC 189 UFC Kit Unveil at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· Meet UFC stars as they takeover downtown Las Vegas
· UFC presents free concert at Fremont Street Experience
· USJJO Ju-Jitsu US International Open at Harrah’s Las Vegas

Saturday, July 11
· UFC Fan Expo® (Day II)
o IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships Finals
o USBJJF American Kids Jiu Jitsu Championships
o WAKO North American Amateur Kickboxing Championship
o ISKA Vegas Open
o The Ultimate Wrestling Championships
· Ulti-man 5k with UFC President Dana White in support of Three Square Food Bank
· UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Fan Expo
· UFC 189: ALDO vs. MCGREGOR at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· UFC 189 viewing parties at MGM, Ri Ra, Double Barrel and more
· Official UFC® 189 After Party at MGM Grand Garden Arena

Sunday, July 12
· Bud Light Pool Party at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
· The Ultimate Fighter Finale

Tickets for UFC Fan Expo® are currently on sale at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite. *Events are subject to change.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC Fight Week on Twitter @UFCFightWeek.

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

About Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience, a five-block entertainment district located in historic downtown Las Vegas features Viva Vision, the world¹s largest video screen – 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and suspended 90 feet above the urban pedestrian mall. Viva Vision features nightly spectacular light and sounds shows with 12.5 million LED lights and a 550,000-watt sound system. Fremont Street Experience is a one-of-a-kind venue that includes free nightly concerts and entertainment on three stages. SlotZilla, the world¹s most unique zipline attraction, features the 850-foot Zipline and the 1,750-foot Zoomline as people launch from a 12-story slot-machine themed takeoff platform to fly under the Viva Vision canopy. With direct pedestrian access to 8 casinos, more than 60 restaurants and specialty retail kiosks, Fremont Street Experience attracts more than 17 million annual visitors. Fremont Street Experience can be found online at www.vegasexperience.com.

Las Vegas – The final 2015 inductee for the reinvigorated UFC® Hall of Fame will be legendary two-time, two-division UFC world champion BJ Penn. Known as “The Prodigy” throughout his amazing 13-year, 16-10-2 professional mixed martial arts career, Penn takes his place in the Modern Era category of the UFC Hall of Fame.

The Modern Era category recognizes great fighters who turned professional on or after November 17, 2000, when the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) were created and widely adopted. Penn turned professional on May 4, 2001, at UFC 31.

The announcement was made moments ago on the UFC 187 Prelims broadcast on FOX Sports 1. Penn’s formal induction will take place at a gala event on Saturday, July 11, at the UFC Fan Expo®, during the UFC’s annual International Fight Week™ in Las Vegas.

UFC President Dana White said: “It is our honor to induct BJ Penn into the UFC Hall of Fame. He was one of those stars who helped build the UFC. When we bought this company, we were told no-one cared about lightweights. BJ Penn not only made people care, he was one of the biggest draws in UFC history. And what he accomplished inside the Octagon speaks for itself – he is one of only two people to win two UFC titles in two different divisions and he beat a who’s who of his era. He is a legend and a no-brainer for the UFC Hall of Fame.”

Born Jay Dee Penn on December 13, 1978, “Baby Jay” is believed to have earned a legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt faster than any practitioner of the martial art. He was awarded the honor by André Pederneiras in 2000, aged 20, less than three years after taking his first lesson. Penn validated his black belt status just weeks later, when he became the first American to ever win the black belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

Because of the speed of Penn’s achievements in BJJ, he was dubbed “The Prodigy” – a moniker which he carried into his MMA – and UFC – debut vs Joey Gilbert at UFC 31 on May 4, 2001.

“Nothing personal, I just want the belt,” Penn said after scoring a first round knockout.

The first UFC championship came at welterweight, when he choked out the previously unstoppable Matt Hughes in the opening round of their UFC 46, January 2004, clash. However, Penn never defended the title, spending the next two years competing outside of the UFC organization.
A truly fearless competitor who’s self-belief knew few boarders, Penn defeated both Renzo Gracie and Rodrigo Gracie in middleweight bouts outside of the UFC; he even took a 225lbs Lyoto Machida the distance in a heavyweight fight.

Whether inside or outside the Octagon®, Penn fought the best of the best and his scalp list includes luminaries like Caol Uno, Matt Serra and Takanori Gomi.

But it was his achievements in the UFC lightweight classes that Penn cemented his legacy as one of the very best of all time.

Upon returning to the division in 2007, Penn embarked on a three year reign of terror. He swiftly avenged his first career loss to Jens Pulver before winning the vacant 155lbs title with a one-sided beatdown of Joe Stevenson at UFC 80. In winning the title, Penn became only the second man to hold two UFC titles in two weight divisions. He then defended the belt against former champion Sean Sherk, and surging contenders Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez in impressive fashion before finally losing the title to Frankie Edgar in 2010.

Along the way Penn also attempted to win back the UFC welterweight title, in a rematch of a very close and controversial fight vs Georges St-Pierre. The UFC 94, January 2009, main event was a rare UFC champion vs UFC champion superfight and one of the biggest fights of the decade.

Penn’s final win came in November 2010, at UFC 123, when he knocked out his great rival turned friend Matt Hughes in 21-seconds, winning their trilogy 2-1. Penn last competed one year ago, losing a somber fight against nemesis Frankie Edgar at International Fight Week 2014.

Now, 12 months later, Penn will be given the send-off his legendary career deserves.

What made Penn a perpetual pound-for-pounder was his unique combination of high-level BJJ, takedown defense, remarkable balance plus his supreme boxing skills. Even the most experience fight commentators marveled at the Hawaiian’s skill set; UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan once opinioned that Penn had more flexibility and dexterity in his legs than most good fighters had in their arms and, in 2008, famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach said Penn was the best boxer in MMA “by far.”

According to FightMetric, the official statistics provider to the UFC, Penn spent a total of 5-hours, 18-minues and 7-seconds in the UFC Octagon, the second most of any UFC fighter. He landed 1,736 strikes in the UFC, the fourth most in organization history, with 1215 of them setting a lightweight division record. He landed with over half of his power shots and his takedown completion rate of 66.7% remains the most accurate in the UFC lightweight division.

Penn joins Pioneer Era inductee Bas Rutten, Fight inductee Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II and Contributor Jeff Blatnick to complete to 2015 UFC Hall of Fame class.

The UFC Hall of Fame 2015 induction ceremony will take place on July 11 as part of the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. Fans with tickets to the UFC Fan Expo will be able to attend the UFC Hall of Fame 2015 event for no additional cost. Tickets to the UFC Fan Expo are available at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two-day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite.

To visit the UFC Hall of Fame fight library – which includes the induction speeches for the first 12 UFC Hall of Famers – go to www.ufc.tv/category/ufc-hall-of-fame-library.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC on Twitter @ufc.

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS® a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas – Former UFC® heavyweight champion Bas Rutten will take his rightful place alongside other legendary innovators of the sport in the UFC Hall of Fame. Rutten, who also dominated the Japanese Pancrase organization’s championship landscape during his 33 fight career, will join icons including Royce Gracie, Dan Severn and Chuck Liddell in the Pioneer Era wing of the new-look UFC Hall of Fame.

The Pioneer Era category recognizes great fighters who turned professional before November 17, 2000, when the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were created and widely adopted. All but one of Rutten’s 33 professional MMA bout were fought in the 1990s, with many of his greatest accomplishments taking place in Pancrase, which used hybrid rules, single-round fights and open-handed striking.

After dominating the competition in Japan, Rutten finally entered the UFC Octagon at UFC 18, on January 8, 1999. Hyped as the greatest MMA fighter in the world, he defeated Tsuyoshi Kohsaka by knockout and returned at UFC 20 four months later to defeat Kevin Randleman to win the vacant UFC heavyweight world title. Rutten was the fourth man to hold the UFC heavyweight championship and third former holder of that belt to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

UFC President Dana White surprised Rutten with the news during an interview on the Inside MMA Show, which Rutten co-hosts. Rutten was concluding an interview previewing tonight’s UFC 187 Pay-Per-View event when White informed the Dutchman that he would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 11.

“We have International Fight Week in Las Vegas in July,” White began. “And on July 11, at the UFC Fan Expo, you will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.”

The footage of the exchange can be view here: https://youtu.be/JiIgQe9y-vQ

“I never expected to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame,” Rutten said afterwards. “I won the UFC heavyweight title, but injuries cut my UFC run short. Most of my big wins were in Japan. I saw the new UFC Hall of Fame format and I thought maybe I could get in eventually as a Contributor because of my years of commentating. But I’m so honored that the UFC recognized what I did as a fighter.”

Asked about the biggest wins of his career, Rutten said: “My pro debut against Ryushi Yanagisawa, he outweighed me by 45lbs but I knocked him out. Then the two wins over Frank Shamrock, winning the Pancrase title from Minoru Suzuki, my two wins in the UFC, of course, meant a lot to me and beating Masakatsu Funaki in the rematch. He was the first person to beat me, he talked a lot of crap, and in the rematch for the title I slaughtered him.”

All those fights available now on UFCFIGHTPASS.com here: http://www.ufc.tv/category/ufc-hall-of-fame-bas-rutten

Born in Tilburg, Netherlands Rutten is the first European to join the UFC Hall of Fame. Now aged 50 and living in Los Angles, California, Rutten originally took up the martial arts as a child to fend off school bullies, who perhaps saw an easy victim in the asthmatic Rutten. Discovering a natural talent for striking, Rutten quickly moved on from school bully-level competition and, by age 20, was an established international kickboxer.
In September1993, he accepted an invitation to compete at the inaugural Pancrase event in Urayasu, Japan. The event – which took place two months before UFC 1 – featured submission wrestling mixed with striking, although no close fist strikes were permitted to the head.

Rutten’s first Pancrase opponent, Japanese kickboxer Ryushi Yanagisawa, spent two days in the hospital after the Dutchman dispatched him with palm-strikes and knees. On that night, the Dutchman’s career-long reputation as a terrifying striker was forged.

He defeated early MMA icons like Vernon White, Guy Mezger and future UFC champions Maurice Smith and Frank Shamrock twice each during this period. In 1995, Rutten won the King of Pancrase title from legend Minoru Suzuki. His finest hour in Japan came at the Pancrase 1996 Anniversary Show where the Dutchman avenged his first pro defeat, knocked out Masakatsu Funaki to win a classic encounter.

In 1999, Rutten signed with the UFC and immediate set his sights on the UFC heavyweight title, eventually beating Randleman on points. His plan was to immediately drop down to light heavyweight and become the first ever two-division UFC champion; however a series of injuries cut short his career.

He returned for a farewell fight – vs unheralded Ruben Villareal – seven years later in a WFA event in July, 2006.

UFCFIGHTPASS.com subscribers can watch Rutten’s greatest fight – including five newly-uploaded Pancrase battles – here: LINKLINKLINKLINKLINK. In time, Rutten’s entire career, from pro debut to retirement match, will be available on FIGHT PASS.

FightMetric, the official statistics provider for the UFC, ran the numbers on Rutten’s career. They back up the Dutchman’s inclusion into the UFC Hall of Fame and then some. In the 4-hours, 27-minutes and 8-seconds he spent as a pro fighter, Rutten scored 13 knockdowns without getting dropped himself, his significant strike accuracy was 70.6% – the highest FightMetric has ever recorded, attempted a record 53 submissions and successfully swept his opponents a record 46 times.

And, incredibly for a fighter who had 15 wins via submission, Rutten never attempted a single takedown in his entire career. Clearly, “El Guapo” had a unique and extremely effective style.

He finished his career on a 22-fight unbeaten streak. Rutten’s overall MMA record stands at 28 wins, 4 losses, and one draw.

Rutten joins Contributor Jeff Blatnick and Fight Hughes vs Trigg II in the UFC Hall of Fame’s class of 2015. The final inductee – the Modern Era representative – will be announced tonight during the UFC 187 Prelims on FOX Sports 1.

Las Vegas ? UFC® is pleased to announce the renewal of a multi-year partnership with DISH Network L.L.C. to continue providing all of the biggest and most anticipated UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) events of the year to DISH’s approximately 14 million customers. The agreement will provide UFC fans the opportunity to tune in, this Saturday, May 23 for an epic night of fights, featuring two championship bouts on UFC® 187: JOHNSON vs. CORMIER at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Terms of the deal were not made public.

The new agreement was announced by Marshall Zelaznik, UFC Chief Content Officer: “We are thrilled that DISH will continue to carry UFC PPV events and featured content. Together with DISH we will continue to deliver all of our premium content for years to come.”

For the upcoming schedule, go to: http://www.mydish.com/pay-per-view/sports-and-events/mma

Tickets for UFC® 187: JOHNSON vs. CORMIER are on sale online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at MGM Resorts International box office. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

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About UFC

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

About DISH

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.978 million pay-TV subscribers, as of Dec. 31, 2014, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

Las Vegas – One of the most intense rivalries in the history of The Ultimate Fighter® will be settled once and for all as powerhouse gyms American Top Team (ATT) and the Blackzilians battle it out for South Florida bragging rights. The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians finale will take place Sunday, July 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to close out the 2015 International Fight Week activities.

The main event will feature two of the welterweight division’s top strikers as ninth-ranked Jake Ellenberger (30-9, fighting out of Lake Forest, Calif.) clashes with standup sensation Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (10-1, fighting out of Simpsonville, S.C.). Ellenberger has 20 knockouts including 13 first-round finishes on his resume, in addition to a stellar wrestling pedigree to help in countering Thompson’s 52-0 professional kickboxing record.

Additionally, hard-hitting No. 15 lightweight contender Jorge Masvidal (28-9, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) will move up to welterweight and welcome The Ultimate Fighter Brazil season 1 winner, Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira (9-4, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Brazil) to the 170-pound division.

Also, former Invicta FC atomweight champion Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson (12-4, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) will make her promotional debut against The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned competitor Angela Magana (11-7, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand).

Also scheduled for the card:
· Looking to make it five consecutive wins, Caio Magalhaes (9-1, fighting out of Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil) takes on Josh Samman (11-3, fighting out of Tallahassee, Fla.), a winner of back-to-back second-round knockout victories.

· Plus, submission specialist Trevor “Hot Sauce” Smith (12-6, fighting out of Tukwila, Wash.) meets Dan Miller (14-7, 1NC, fighting out of Whippany, N.J.) as he makes a return to the Octagon for the first time since 2013.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Tickets for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER® FINALE: AMERICAN TOP TEAM vs. BLACKZILIANS go on sale Friday, May 29 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $178, $128, $93, and $78. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call (888) 929-7849. Tickets also are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, May 27 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 28 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER® FINALE: AMERICAN TOP TEAM vs. BLACKZILIANS will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Sunday, July 12, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX Sports 1 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

About UFC®

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

About MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is “The Entertainment Authority,” creating the ultimate Las Vegas experience. The hotel features the astonishing KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club; master illusionist David Copperfield and world-class entertainment at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. MGM Grand offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Michael Mina’s PUB 1842, Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five-Star restaurant, Joël Robuchon. The resort recently remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and launched the industry’s first-ever STAY WELL Collection. MGM Grand is home to many of today’s hottest DJs including Tiësto, Calvin Harris and Steve Aoki who share residencies between Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub and WET REPUBLIC, The Strip’s hottest day life destination. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking Five Green Key conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon and an inviting six-acre pool complex. Upscale accommodations include SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand, an exclusive boutique luxury hotel within the hotel and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort. MGM Grand is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mgmgrand.com, call toll free at (877) 880-0880 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Las Vegas – The first inductees for the new look UFC Hall of Fame have been announced. Jeff Blatnick – a key personality during the UFC’s formative years – and the April 2005 rematch between Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg will be inducted as in this year’s Contributor and Fight categories, respectively.

The announcements were made moments ago on UFC Tonight, the UFC’s official magazine show on FOX Sports 1. The formal induction will take place at a gala event on Saturday, July 11 at the UFC Fan Expo, during the UFC’s annual International Fight Week.

Jeff Blatnick will be posthumously inducted as a UFC Hall of Fame Contributor, in recognition for his historically significant services to the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts.

UFC President Dana White said: “Jeff Blatnick is a name that newer fans may not be familiar with, but this guy was a huge part on the UFC’s development in the 1990s. He pushed for greater regulation, unified rules and – because he was an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling – he had credibility with everyone in the sport. It is our honor to recognize his huge contributions to the UFC by inducting him into the UFC Hall of Fame.”

Blatnick’s story is an incredible one. In 1982 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a form of cancer – and had to undergo life-saving surgery and chemotherapy. Astonishingly, he won the super-heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in Los Angeles less than two years later. He became a national hero and inspiration for cancer patients worldwide.

A decade later, Blatnick caught an early UFC event. He immediately recognized the sport behind the spectacle and joined the organization as lead color commentator from UFC 4 (December 1994) through to UFC 34 (November 2001). In those seven years at Octagonside, Blatnick educated a generation of fight fans on the finer points of grappling and sportsmanship. But, perhaps more importantly, as the Commissioner of the UFC (1998 to 2001) Blatnick is widely credited with coining the term “mixed martial arts” and championing its use to describe the emerging sport.

As Commissioner, Blatnick served as a key member of the group who drew up what would become the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts – the framework for all regulated MMA around the world to this day. In his later years, the New York born Blatnick served as an MMA judge for many different state commissions; in fact Blatnick’s final contribution to the UFC came as a ringside judge at the UFC 152 event, just weeks before he passed away in October 2012.

Lori Blatnick, Jeff’s widow, will accept her late husband’s UFC Hall of Fame induction on his behalf.

She said: “Jeff would have been so honored to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. It’s awesome, and it is right that he is recognized. He worked so hard to improve the sport and keep it alive in the 1990s. People in the industry, or have been around the UFC for years, they know what Jeff did behind the scenes but the viewers who watch the fights today probably haven’t heard of him. That’s probably because of Jeff’s character, he was very humble and didn’t like to talk about himself. But it is great he will now be recognized in such a huge way.”

Joining Blatnick in the class of 2015 will be Matt Hughes and Frank Trigg, who will be inducted together for their April 2005 rematch in the newly-minted Fight wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

Hughes vs Trigg II took place on April 16, 2005, at UFC 52 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was a rematch from 2003, where UFC welterweight champion Hughes defeated reigning WFA champion Trigg inside four minutes.

Trigg won two bouts to earn a chance to avenge his loss to Hughes, and the build-up to the rematch saw Trigg goad the champion with a relentless campaign of insults.

UFC President Dana White said: “I’ve said it a million times over the last 10 years, Hughes vs Trigg II is one of my favorite fights ever. In four minutes five seconds, it showed everything that is great about the UFC.”

The full fight can be watched on UFC FIGHT PASS here: http://www.ufc.tv/video/matt-hughes-vs-frank-trigg-ufc-52

Hughes now becomes a two-time UFC Hall of Famer, having already been recognized by the Hall in 2010 for a legendary career which included two reigns as UFC welterweight champion.

Hughes said: “When I got my hand raised, I thought I’d just come through a tough fight. It was only afterwards, when my team were congratulating me on this great win, that I started to realize this wasn’t just another fight. Then Dana called me a few days later telling me it was the best fight he’d ever seen and, in the years since, I get asked about that one rematch with Trigg about as much as I do any big fight I’ve ever been in.”

Hughes added: “I occasionally get invited to speak to servicemen, and I try and speak to them about never giving up when they are in bad situations. The fight I use as an example is the second Trigg fight; I was in a very bad situation, I’d been hit low, I was hurt, rocked, Trigg had my back and he had me in a choke. But I didn’t panic and as long as you don’t panic, you don’t quit on yourself and you have a little time, you can get out of even the worst of situations.”

Trigg said: “This is a great honor. Every great fight has a winner and a loser, but I am very proud that, 10 years on, people still ask me about this fight. I may not have won the UFC title that night, but this goes some way to make up for that.”

The inductees in the Modern Era and Pioneer Era categories will be announced this weekend as part of scheduled UFC 187 programming.

The UFC Hall of Fame 2015 induction ceremony will take place on July 11 as part of the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. Fans with tickets to the UFC Fan Expo will be able to attend the UFC Hall of Fame 2015 event for no additional cost. Tickets to the UFC Fan Expo are available at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two-day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite.

To visit the UFC Hall of Fame fight library – which includes the induction speeches for the first 12 UFC Hall of Famers – go to www.ufc.tv/category/ufc-hall-of-fame-library.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC on Twitter @ufc.

Las Vegas – UFC® announced today that The Ultimate Fighter® Finale, originally scheduled for South Florida, will now cap off the 4th annual UFC International Fight Week™ (IFW) in Las Vegas, with the event taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, July 12, the night after the double title fight mega-card UFC 189: ALDO vs. MCGREGOR, in the same venue. From July 8 through July 12, the UFC will host over a dozen events with more opportunities than ever to meet UFC stars with the newly expanded UFC Fan Expo®. Attracting fans from around the world, UFC International Fight Week has truly become a global celebration of combat sports.

This year, the UFC Fan Expo is taken to a new level as it takes over the Sands Expo at Venetian/Palazzo, where it will have the largest footprint of any previous Expo ever held in Las Vegas. Delivering over 555,000 square feet of a fully interactive and immersive UFC fan experience, the UFC Fan Expo will also boast one of the largest lineups of combat sports tournaments held under one roof with 4,000 athletes from over 30 countries competing in eight different sports.

Fans attending UFC Fan Expo will have access to the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, UFC Reebok experience, and truly immerse themselves in the fighter’s life – from having their hands wrapped, to measuring their hand speed and strength against the pros, as well as stepping into the sacred Octagon®.

Beginning May 18, fans can pre-register and join the UFC fan community at www.ufcregister.com to make the most of their UFC International Fight Week experience. They can earn UFC Rewards points and automatically upload UFC activation images and video to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

UFCFightWeek.com is the official destination for the most current list of scheduled events, with an official UFC International Fight Week App launching late-June in the Apple and Google Play stores.

The following events are currently scheduled for UFC International Fight Week:

Wednesday, July 8
· IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships at The Flamingo (beginning Monday, July 6)
· Official UFC 189 Open Workouts
· UFC Community Day

Thursday, July 9
· IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships at The Flamingo
· USJJO Ju-Jitsu National Championships at Harrah’s Las Vegas
· Liquid pool party at Aria hosted by UFC stars
· Official UFC 189 press conference at MGM Grand
· Charity bowling at Brooklyn Bowl with UFC fighters

Friday, July 10
· UFC Fan Expo (Day I)
o USBJJF American Jiu Jitsu Championships (Gi and No Gi)
o WAKO North American Amateur Kickboxing Championship
o ISKA Vegas Open
o The Ultimate Wrestling Championships
· UFC Gym® Fitness Challenge ($35,000 Prize Money)
· Official UFC 189 Weigh-In at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· Official UFC 189 UFC Kit Unveil at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· Meet UFC stars as they takeover downtown Las Vegas
· UFC presents free concert at Fremont Street Experience
· USJJO Ju-Jitsu US International Open at Harrah’s Las Vegas

Saturday, July 11
· UFC Fan Expo (Day II)
o IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships Finals
o USBJJF American Kids Jiu Jitsu Championships
o WAKO North American Amateur Kickboxing Championship
o ISKA Vegas Open
o The Ultimate Wrestling Championships
· Ulti-man 5k with UFC President Dana White in support of Three Square
· UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at UFC Fan Expo
· UFC 189: ALDO vs. MCGREGOR at MGM Grand Garden Arena
· UFC 189 viewing parties at MGM, Ri Ra Irish Pub, Double Barrel and more
· Official UFC 189 After Party

Sunday, July 12
· Bud Light Pool Party at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
· The Ultimate Fighter Finale at MGM Grand Garden Arena

Tickets for UFC Fan Expo are currently on sale at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite. *Events are subject to change.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC Fight Week on Twitter @UFCFightWeek.

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Singapore – UFC® today announced that it will bring its first ever live event to Seoul, South Korea, on November 28, 2015 at the city’s Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena. This marks the third UFC event in Asia in 2015 and continues to reaffirm the Asian market as a region with explosive growth potential.

With a number of successful fighters in the UFC, South Korea has drawn upon its martial arts legacy to nurture and develop some of the top stars in the sport. Athletes such as Dong Hyun Kim, Chan Sung Jung & Hyun Gyu Lim have proven the quality of mixed martial arts (MMA) in South Korea. Additionally, UFC fighter and celebrity Choo Sung-hoon, also known as Yoshihiro Akiyama, has a huge following in the region and has been a great global ambassador of Korean MMA for over a decade.

Executive Vice President and General Manager, UFC Asia, Kenneth Berger said: “The UFC in Asia is growing at an impressive pace and this event in Seoul will mark our second new market this year. South Korea has some of Asia’s best MMA athletes and this event is fully expected to illustrate just how powerful and technical these fighters have become. As usual we will bring a truly international fight card to the region, giving our loyal fans and those new to the sport a thrilling night to remember.”

The UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in the world and is viewed as the pinnacle of MMA by both athletes and fans. With close to 40 Asian fighters signed, the UFC in Asia is growing at an exponential rate. Previous events in the region have taken place in Macao, Manila, Singapore and Tokyo, attracting tens of thousands of fans and millions of TV viewers.

The UFC Fight Night Seoul event will be broadcast all over the world giving the UFC’s international fans a taste of the immense passion and support South Korean fans have for MMA.

Details of how to register and purchase tickets will be released soon.

For the latest UFC information, visit www.ufc.com.

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About the UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas – Former UFC® light heavyweight champion and current fifth-ranked middleweight contender Lyoto Machida makes a quick return to the Octagon® to meet No. 6 Yoel Romero in the main event of UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MACHIDA vs. ROMERO on Saturday, June 27 at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Machida (22-6, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif. by way of Belem, Brazil), a black belt in both karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has nine knockouts and two submission victories to his credit, and has defeated former champions Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Shogun Rua and Rashad Evans. One of the most unorthodox and dangerous strikers the sport has ever seen, “The Dragon” will be a step up in competition for Olympic silver medalist Romero (9-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Pinar del Rio, Cuba). Coming off a third-round knockout victory over Tim Kennedy at UFC 178, Romero welcomes the former champ to his current hometown of Coconut Creek, with hopes that an impressive win will get him one step closer to a shot at the middleweight world title.

Also, in the co-main event, 11th-ranked welterweight Rick Story (18-8, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) will meet one of the division’s brightest prospects in Erick Silva (18-5, 1 NC, fighting out of Vila Velha, Espirito Santo, Brazil). The 30-year-old “Horror” Story looks to make it three consecutive wins as he continues to climb the 170-pound ladder. Silva, who has 11 first-round finishes to his name, also hopes to string together a three-fight win streak for the first time in his UFC career.

In addition, the finals of The Ultimate Fighter® Brazil will highlight the main card with new talent in both the bantamweight and lightweight divisions. The fourth installment of the Brazilian version of the show was coached by UFC legends Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MACHIDA vs. ROMERO on sale Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. ET and are priced at $229, $179, $129, $99 and $79. Tickets are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Sunday, May 17 starting at 9 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MACHIDA vs. ROMERO will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 27, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX Sports 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to over 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Singapore – UFC® announced today that it will be returning to the Saitama Super Arena on the 27th September 2015 with UFC Fight Night Japan. This will be the fourth UFC event in Japan and the second event in Asia this year. In addition to bringing fans a live event, UFC have also confirmed that they are producing a brand new reality TV show, ROAD TO UFC: JAPAN, which will follow eight Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) hopefuls who will be competing against each other for the opportunity to win a UFC contract.

Executive Vice President and General Manager, UFC Asia, Ken Berger said: “We are very happy to be bringing our live event to the Saitama Super Arena once again this year. There is a rich and diverse MMA talent in Japan and we’re positive that through ROAD TO UFC: JAPAN, we will uncover more UFC prospects. We have recently witnessed the fast power of Kyoji Horiguchi in the Octagon® against flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and it really is only a matter of time before we see a champion emerge from Japan.”

ROAD TO UFC: JAPAN will see eight MMA athletes train both in their hometowns and in Las Vegas at the TUF Gym under the supervision of coaches and UFC stars, Roy Nelson “Big Country” (21-11-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev., USA) and Josh Barnett “The Warmaster” (33-7-0 fighting out of Seattle, Wash., USA). Throughout the course of the series, match ups will be selected and fights will be scheduled to whittle the contestants down to two finalists, who will then participate in the live event at the Saitama Super Arena. Coaches Nelson and Barnett will also step into the Octagon® in a 5 round main event on September 27. The TV show will be broadcast in Japan beginning in July, airing weekly until September, and culminating at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: JAPAN.

UFC is the fastest growing sports organization in the world and is viewed as the pinnacle of MMA by both athletes and fans. With close to 40 Asian fighters signed to its roster, UFC in Asia is growing at an exponential rate. Previous events in the region have taken place in Macao, Manila, Singapore and Tokyo, attracting tens of thousands of fans and millions of TV viewers.

This coming week, UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will visit no.7 Kyoji Horiguchi’s training gym in Japan. Johnson was enticed to visit Japan and learn more about the culture and tradition of martial arts following the two athletes’ championship clash a few weeks back. In addition to helping him grow as an athlete, the tour will also see Johnson and Horiguchi host an MMA training session for children at Krazy Bee gym.

The largest MMA fight library just got even bigger – with the addition today of the International Vale Tudo league.

The IVC was a Vale Tudo promotion which ran 13 events from 1997 to 1999 in Brazil. While MMA in North America at the time was running towards ever greater regulation, the IVC reveled in its renegade reputation, pitting bare-knuckle fighters against each other in single round, 30minute no-holds barred brawls inside a boxing ring. Nevertheless, MMA luminaries like Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva and Dan Severn competed in IVC. Now, almost two decades on, UFC FIGHT PASS gives subscribers the chance to witness 1990s Brazilian Vale Tudo fighting for themselves.

All 13 of the classic IVC shows from Brazil are now live on UFC FIGHT PASS here:
http://www.ufc.tv/category/international-vale-tudo-event-replays

IVC is the latest fight library to be added to the massive FIGHT PASS archive, joining the full libraries of UFC, WEC, PRIDE FC, Strikeforce, WFA, Affliction, EliteXC and IMMAF.

The rights to the libraries of Cage Rage, Pancrase, King of the Cage, Extreme Challenge, Hook N Shoot, UCMMA, XFO and TKO have already been acquired by UFC FIGHT PASS and will appear on the digital streaming service in the coming weeks and months.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced extensive live programming for UFC Fight Night™: Miocic vs. Hunt this Saturday, May 9 from Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, Australia.

Fight Network will televise the live main card exclusively in Canada from 11 p.m. ET to 1 a.m. ET.

In the main event, top five heavyweights will collide when the No. 4-ranked Stipe Miocic (12-2) battles No. 5-ranked Mark Hunt (10-9-1). Rounding out the main card, highly touted Hawaiian middleweight Brad Tavares (13-4) takes on red-hot Australian Robert Whittaker (14-4), gritty Australian veteran Anthony Perosh (15-8) looks to make it two in a row opposite heavy-handed American light heavyweight Sean O’Connell (16-6) and The Ultimate Fighter Nations cast member Jake Matthews (9-0) throws down with The Ultimate Fighter Live standout James Vick (7-0) in a clash of undefeated lightweights.

Live pre-fight coverage will lead into the prelims on Saturday night with Fight Network’s UFC Pre-Show Live at 10 p.m. ET, featuring previews, predictions and analysis.

In addition to all the live pre and post-fight coverage, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now and UFC Ultimate Insider. All airings are listed at tv.fightnetwork.com.

Post-fight coverage airs on Monday’s edition of 5 Rounds on Fight Network, which debuts at 7 p.m. ET and features a comprehensive breakdown of Saturday’s event.

The full card for UFC Fight Night™: Miocic vs. Hunt includes:

Main Card (Live on Fight Network, 11 p.m. ET):
-Stipe Miocic (12-2) vs. Mark Hunt (10-9-1)
-Brad Tavares (13-4) vs. Robert Whittaker (14-4)
-Anthony Perosh (15-8) vs. Sean O’Connell (16-6)
-Jake Matthews (9-0) vs. James Vick (7-0)

Preliminary Card (Live on UFC Fight Pass, 7:45 p.m. ET):
-Hatsu Hioki (27-8-2) vs. Daniel Hooker (12-5)
-Kyle Noke (20-7-1) vs. Jonavin Webb (8-0)
-Daniel Kelly (9-0) vs. Sam Alvey (25-6, 1NC)
-Bec Rawlings (5-4) vs. Lisa Ellis (15-9)
-Dylan Andrews (18-7, 1NC) vs. Brad Scott (10-3)
-Alex Chambers (4-2) vs. Kailin Curran (3-1)
-Vik Grujic (7-5) vs. Brendan O’Reilly (5-1, 1NC)
-Alptekin Ozkilic (9-3) vs. Ben Nguyen (13-5)

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Las Vegas – For the first time in the 12-year history of the UFC® Hall of Fame, an entire class of legendary fighters and contributors will be inducted into distinct Hall of Fame categories at a special induction event, scheduled for July 11 at UFC Fan Expo 2015.

UFC® today announced that after 12 years and with 12 inductees already enshrined, the UFC Hall of Fame is evolving into a unique four-category system, enabling UFC, media and fans to celebrate and commemorate the greatest achievements in the organization’s history in a well-defined historical context.

The four new UFC Hall of Fame categories are:

Modern era wing: commemorating fighters who made their pro MMA debut in the modern era
Pioneers era wing: commemorating fighters who made their pro MMA debut in the pioneers era
Contributors wing: commemorating significant contributions outside of active competition
Fight wing: commemorating the greatest and most important bouts in the sport’s history

The UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will feature a new member in each of these new categories. The Class of 2015 will be announced in the coming weeks. The existing Hall of Famers – already inducted over the last 12 years – will be retrospectively inaugurated into the most fitting of these four categories.

For further details on the new UFC Hall of Fame format visit: http://www.ufc.com/news/UFC-HALL-OF-FAME-2015-MEDIA-FAQs

UFC President Dana White said: “The UFC Hall of Fame has an important job – it not only celebrates greatness but it helps pass stories of the greatest athletes and fights in UFC history on to the next generation of fight fans. We’re looking forward to announcing the class of 2015 and what is going to be a great induction event on July 11.”

The UFC Hall of Fame 2015 induction ceremony will take place on July 11 as part of the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. Fans with tickets to the UFC Fan Expo will be able to attend the UFC Hall of Fame 2015 event for no additional cost. Tickets to the UFC Fan Expo are available at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two-day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite.

There are also preliminary plans for a physical UFC Hall of Fame to be constructed in the UFC’s home city of Las Vegas.

To visit the UFC Hall of Fame fight library – which includes the induction speeches for the first 12 UFC Hall of Famers – go to www.ufc.tv/category/ufc-hall-of-fame-library.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC on Twitter @ufc.

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 134 countries and territories to nearly 700 million TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS® a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas, Nevada – The Ultimate Fighter® Latin America is officially back and has been filming its new series in Las Vegas, since March 17th. After reaching an average of 7 million viewers per episode in Mexico and millions more viewers around Latin America during season one, The Ultimate Fighter® Latin America is set to premiere starting the week of August 26th on UFCFIGHTPASS.com, PM Channel 5 in Mexico, UFC® Network and free-to-air networks in Latin America. For 2015, UFC® has recruited talent from all over the region and divided them into two teams: Team Gastelum and Team Escudero. Both teams will represent a combination of Latin American countries including: Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Spain.

Kelvin Gastelum (The Ultimate Fighter® winner of season 17) and Efrain Escudero (winner of season Eight of the reality series and first Mexican to win a contract with the UFC), will be official coaches of the second Spanish speaking series of the reality show. In this ninth international edition of the most challenging sports tournament on television, Gastelum will lead a team of four lightweight (155lbs) and four welterweight (170lbs) fighters against Escudero’s squad of eight similarly divided fighters from Latin American countries.

The list of competitors includes fighters hailing from Argentina, Chile, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay and Spain. The competitors are listed in alphabetical order (Name, Professional MMA record, Age, Hometown):

LIGHTWEIGHT

WELTERWEIGHT

César Arzamendia (6-1), 23, Alto Parana, Paraguay
Enrique Barzola (10-2), 25, Lima, Peru

Horacio Gutiérrez (3-1), 24, Guadalajara, Mexico
Oliver Meza (3-0), 28, Panama City, Panama
Jonathan Ortega (7-2-1), 31, Temuco, Chile
Marco Polo Reyes (19-7), 30, Mexicali, Mexico
Daniel Salas (15-5), DF, Mexico
Christihian Soto (5-4), 31, Managua, Nicaragua

Héctor Aldana (5-0), 26, San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico
Wilmer Fernández (7-1), 33, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Alvaro Herrera (8-3), 29, Guadalajara, Mexico
Enrique Marín (8-2), 28, Sevilla, Spain
Kevin Medinilla (5-0), 23, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Erick Montaño (9-5), 29, DF, Mexico
Marco Olano (6-1), 21, Lima, Peru
Vernon Ramos (3-0), 22, La Fontana, Panama

Fans from the following countries will be able to catch the season on their respective free-to-air networks: Bolivia: Red Uno, Mexico: Channel 5, Nicaragua: Viva Nicaragua, Honduras: Teleprogreso, Panama: NexTV, Paraguay: Telefuturo, Chile: Via X, Peru: America TV and Venezuela: Meridiano TV. The season will premiere on these networks the week of August 26, though dates and weekly episodes will vary per country. Viewers should check their local listings for further information.

More networks will be confirmed prior to the series premiere and subscribers to the UFC Network in Latin America will also get the chance to catch replays and watch exclusive content.

The season finale will be featured during Mexico’s second live event later this year. The card will host the final lightweight and welterweight bouts of the series, crowning the winners of The Ultimate Fighter® Latin America season 2. Further event and ticket details will be released later this summer ahead of the scheduled on-sale at the end of August.

In addition to Kelvin Gastelum and Efrain Escudero, The Ultimate Fighter® has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters and produced champions such as Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra and current bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw as well as season winners including Michael Bisping, Ryan Bader and Nate Diaz. Mexican American Tony Ferguson captured the season 13 lightweight title, while Diego Sanchez, also of Mexican descent, was the first-ever winner of the franchise. Sanchez defeated Kenny Florian, a fighter of Peruvian descent, at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale in 2005. In 2014, Mexican featherweight fighter, Yair Rodriguez, and bantamweight competitor, Alejando Perez, were crowned season winners of the first Spanish speaking series of The Ultimate Fighter® Latin America.

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

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About UFC®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas ? UFC® has retained Paul Clement, former United States Solicitor General, to spearhead the organization’s appeals process after Judge Kimba Wood of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of New York’s ban on professional mixed martial arts (MMA) matches and exhibitions.

The judge’s dismissal of the UFC’s case against the State of New York in March was based on a technicality, and the decision confirms the state is misapplying the law. UFC was advised by the judge to “consider filing new vagueness claims.” Wood also stated the New York Attorney General’s “recent statements that the Ban prohibits sanctioned MMA” were made “despite [the law’s] plain language to the contrary.” UFC also believes that Judge Wood erred in failing to recognize the serious First Amendment problems with the New York law.

“We retained Paul Clement, one of the nation’s most highly respected appellate lawyers, to aggressively appeal the lower court’s technical dismissal of this matter,” UFC Chief Legal Officer Kirk Hendrick said. “Clement shares our view that New York’s law is unconstitutional and dangerous, and we will get the decision overturned.”

The State of New York passed legislation in 1997 banning professional MMA events, citing concerns for the lack of safety regulations. Since that time, the UFC has been on the forefront of athlete safety and implemented some of the most effective and strictest safety regulations in sports, resulting in 49 states and numerous countries legalizing MMA. Because New York’s law is vague, misapplied, and both overbroad and underinclusive, unsanctioned amateur MMA events—wholly unregulated and lacking necessary safety standards—have been allowed to take place.

“I am delighted to be representing the UFC in this important challenge to New York’s outdated and unconstitutional law,” Clement stated. “Even New York officials are confused about the scope of this hopelessly unclear law, and by targeting professional MMA matches and exhibitions, the law raises First Amendment problems of the first order,” he added.

Clement is a partner at Bancroft PLLC and represents a diverse range of clients in both federal and state appellate courts. He represented the National Basketball Association during labor negotiations in 2011 and the National Football League during a potential lockout season. Throughout his legal career, Clement has argued more than 75 cases in front of the United States Supreme Court and is regularly regarded as one of the most influential lawyers in the country. Confirmed by the United States Senate, Clement served as Solicitor General from June 2005 to Jun 2008. He also serves as a Distinguished Lecturer in Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and a Senior Fellow of the Law Center’s Supreme Court Institute.

The plaintiffs are also being represented in this action by Barry Friedman, the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Professor of Law at New York University School of Law, and Jamie A. Levitt of Morrison & Foerster LLP in New York.

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About UFC®

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced extensive live programming for UFC Fight Night™: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 this Saturday, April 11 from Krakow Arena in Krakow, Poland.

Fight Network will televise the live main card exclusively in Canada from 3 to 5 p.m. ET.

In the main event, Brazilian behemoth Gabriel Gonzaga (16-9) battles returning Croatian legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (30-11-2) in a highly anticipated heavyweight rematch of their initial meeting in April 2007, which Gonzaga won via stunning head kick knockout.

In other featured main card bouts, Polish light heavyweight sensation Jan Blachowicz (18-3) faces his toughest career test opposite British knockout artist Jimi Manuwa (14-1), Polish welterweight hopeful Pawel Pawlak (10-1) battles Canadian “TUF: Nations” finalist Sheldon Westcott (8-2-1) and Scottish women’s strawweight standout Joanne Calderwood (9-0) puts her perfect pro record on the line against undefeated debuting Ukrainian Maryna Moroz (5-0).

Live pre-fight coverage will lead into the prelims on Saturday afternoon with Fight Network’s UFC Pre-Show Live at 2 p.m. ET, featuring previews, predictions and analysis.

In addition to all the live pre and post-fight coverage, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now and UFC Ultimate Insider. All airings are listed at tv.fightnetwork.com.

Post-fight coverage airs on Monday’s edition of 5 Rounds on Fight Network, which debuts at 7 p.m. ET and features a comprehensive breakdown of Saturday’s event.

The four-bout main card will re-air on Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET and Sunday night at Midnight ET.

The full card for UFC Fight Night™: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 includes:

Main Card (Live on Fight Network, 3 p.m. ET):
-Gabriel Gonzaga (16-9) vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (30-11-2)
-Jan Blachowicz (18-3) vs. Jimi Manuwa (14-1)
-Pawel Pawlak (10-1) vs. Sheldon Westcott (8-2-1)
-Joanne Calderwood (9-0) vs. Maryna Moroz (5-0)

Preliminary Card (Live on UFC Fight Pass, 11:45 a.m. ET):
-Seth Baczynski (19-12) vs. Leon Edwards (8-2)
-Garreth McLellan (12-2) vs. Bartosz Fabinski (11-2)
-Sergio Moraes (8-2) vs. Mickael Lebout (13-3-2)
-Daniel Omielanczuk (16-4-1) vs. Anthony Hamilton (13-4)
-Izabela Badurek (5-2) vs. Aleksandra Albu (1-0)
-Marcin Bandel (13-3) vs. Stevie Ray (16-5)
-Taylor Lapilus (8-1) vs. Rocky Lee (3-0)
-Damian Stasiak (8-2) vs. Yaotzin Meza (20-9)

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to the Bayou State with a light heavyweight showdown between Lafayette’s Daniel Cormier and fifth-ranked Ryan Bader on Saturday, June 6 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. This marks the first UFC event in New Orleans since 2011.

Born and raised in the heart of Cajun Country, third-ranked UFC light heavyweight Cormier (15-1, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.), comes home to face rising contender Bader in hopes of getting another shot at the 205-pound world title. The former two-time U.S. Olympian makes his return to the Octagon® after challenging UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 182 in January. Fueled by another chance at the world title, “DC” looks to put on an impressive performance against Bader to cement his place at the top of the division’s contenders.

Since winning The Ultimate Fighter® Season eight, Bader (20-4, fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.) has made a steady climb through the 205-pound rankings by besting top-ranked opponents Phil Davis, Ovince Saint Preux, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. After rattling off four consecutive wins, the former two-time Division I All-American wrestler at Arizona State University has earned a shot against one of the UFC’s elite in Cormier. With a win over DC, a title shot for Bader will undoubtedly soon follow.

In addition to Cormier’s homecoming, UFC FIGHT NIGHT® showcases Louisiana’s best as former LSU fullback and member of the 2007 NCAA Division I National Football Championship team Shawn Jordan (17-6, fighting out of Baton Rouge, La.) meets New Orleans-born Derrick Lewis (12-3, 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas), whose resume includes 11 knockout victories. Plus, after making an impressive UFC lightweight debut against Diego Ferreira at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: MENDES vs. LAMAS, surging lightweight contender Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier (17-4, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) makes a quick return to the Octagon to fight in his home state of Louisiana.

Additional bouts include:

· Knockout artist and No. 9 heavyweight Ben Rothwell (34-9, fighting out of Kenosha, Wis.) will meet (No. 13) Matt Mitrione (9-3, fighting out of Indianapolis, Ind.), the owner of three consecutive first-round knockout wins.

· 13th-ranked middleweight Tim Boetsch (18-8, fighting out of Sunbury, PA by way of Lincolnville, Maine) goes head-to-head with former STRIKEFORCE and PRIDE champion Dan Henderson (30-13, fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) in a 185-pound showdown.

· MMA veteran Brian Ebersole (51-16-1, 1NC, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand) takes on heavy-hitting Omari Akhmedov (14-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia), an owner of 10 first-round finishes.

· The Ultimate Fighter®: Brazil contestant Daniel Sarafian (10-5, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) meets Ricardo Abreu (5-1, fighting out of Las Vegas) at 185 pounds.

· The Ultimate Fighter Season 15 standout Joe Proctor (10-3, fighting out of Bridgewater, Mass.) meets TUF® Season 13 cast member Justin Edwards (9-4, fighting out of Bellefontaine, Ohio) in a lightweight bout.

· Former bantamweight title challenger Joe Soto (15-3, fighting out of Porterville, Calif.) makes his second UFC appearance against Anthony Birchak (11-2, fighting out of Tucson, Ariz.).

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Previous UFC events held in the state of Louisiana: UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: SHIELDS vs. ELLENBERGER (9/17/2011, New Orleans), UFC 37: High Impact (05/10/2002, Bossier City), UFC 27: Ultimate Bad Boyz (09/22/2000, New Orleans), UFC 24: First Defense (03/10/2000, Lake Charles), UFC 22: Only One Can Be Champion (09/24/1999, Lake Charles), UFC 18: The Road to the Heavyweight Title (01/8/1999, New Orleans), and UFC 16: Battle in the Bayou (3/13/1998, New Orleans).

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: CORMIER vs. BADER go on sale Friday, April at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $175, $125, $90, $75 and $50 (plus applicable service charges). Tickets are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster outlets including the Smoothie King Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: CORMIER vs. BADER will air live on FOX Sports 1 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 6, with the prelims kicking off on FOX Sports 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

About UFC®

UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Las Vegas – UFC® today announced a partnership with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in a move to champion the growth of safe, clean mixed martial arts (MMA) at the amateur level. UFC® will work closely with the IMMAF and provide vital financial and administrative backing, while also leveraging the vast global platform the UFC has built for communication and education initiatives.

Formed in 2012, the IMMAF has undertaken a number of important initiatives including athlete safety, regulatory work and grass roots development of the sport as well as being the global governing body of amateur MMA with 40 national federation members.

Lou Lauria, UFC Vice President for Federation Relationships and Corporate Social Responsibility said: “UFC® believes in the ability of amateur sport to affect positive change in society and is committed to contributing to those efforts globally. If you are an amateur MMA athlete, you should become engaged with the IMMAF on the national and community level and contribute to the positive developments being made in the sport.”

IMMAF Chief Executive Officer Densign White also believes the partnership will help elevate amateur MMA at all levels of the sport, saying: “IMMAF’s renewed and strengthened partnership with UFC is game-changing for MMA as a whole. Not only do we have the continued support of a key originator of contemporary mixed martial arts, but also of the world’s biggest player in the sport; based on its confidence that IMMAF can and is making a difference.

“IMMAF’s main work is to develop safety standards for all participants, particularly at recreational and amateur levels. The forward thinking approach of UFC in supporting IMMAF, which evolved from the MMA community for the MMA community, will surely help the sport to develop. Longer term it will enable the sport to prosper and grow to a point where its participants can enjoy the same levels of protection, education, respect and benefits as those practicing other sports. UFC partnership will help IMMAF substantially on many levels, from commercial to technical to media, and in turn this will benefit amateur MMA’s practitioners globally.”

Additionally, UFC® will again play host to the IMMAF World Championships as part of International Fight Week, which in 2014 saw 110 male and female athletes represent 22 countries in over 100 fights. The tournament, which runs from July 6 through 11, will culminate at the UFC Fan Expo at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, July 10-11, 2015 in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on UFC FIGHT PASS. The IMMAF World Championships of MMA is the first international competition for amateur MMA to be organized by a non-profit, democratic governing body in accordance with Olympic values.

Tickets to the UFC Fan Expo are available at www.ufcfanexpo.com with two-day passes beginning at $60 online and $65 onsite. One-day passes begin at $35 online and $45 onsite.

For additional information please visit UFC.com, and follow UFC on Twitter @ufc.

For more information regarding the IMMAF, please visit www.immaf.org and follow on Twitter @IMMAFed

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

About the IMMAF
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation is the international democratic body for the sport of amateur MMA, representing MMA worldwide and working with all stakeholders – athletes, coaches, referees, governments, athletic commissions, sports confederations, international organizations, professional promoters and more. Founded from within the amateur MMA community for the amateur MMA community, the purpose of the IMMAF is to protect and further the development and recognition of the sport of MMA on all amateur levels, enabling international competition through the organization of non-profit, democratic national federations. www.immaf.org

Las Vegas – In a further commitment to the health and safety of its athletes, UFC® announced today the hiring of Jeff Novitzky as Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance. Novitzky will spearhead the development of the organization’s clean initiative education program designed to ensure that every athlete competes with natural ability on an even playing field.

A federal agent for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2008, Novitzky led investigations into companies suspected of illegal distribution of dietary supplements and designer steroids. Prior to joining the USFDA, Novitzky was a special agent for the Internal Revenue Service in their Criminal Investigation Department, where he oversaw and investigated some of the highest-profile performance enhancing drug (PED) cases in professional sports. A former collegiate athlete who played basketball for San Jose State University from 1989-91, Novitzky graduated with a degree in accounting.

UFC is committed year-round to the health, safety, and education of its athletes. Led by Novitzky, UFC will continue to invest in state of the art sports science studies, further develop its out-of-competition PED testing policy and enrich its education and prevention programs.

“There is no bigger advocate of clean professional sports than Jeff Novitzky,” UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein said. “When we announced our commitment for an enhanced drug testing program in February, we wanted to ensure that the best people would be helping move this program forward and Jeff will lead the UFC in developing the most comprehensive anti-doping policy in professional sports.”

Novitzky added: “I am thrilled to be joining a world-class organization like UFC, that is committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure all of its athletes are competing in a clean sport. I am confident that UFC will be able to create a new gold standard testing program and implement it so a sustainable and level playing field is provided for all athletes.”

As part of its broader athlete health program, which includes the Athlete Accident Insurance Plan implemented in 2011, UFC announced in February the development of an expanded drug-testing program that will increase out-of-competition testing and pledged significant financial commitments for targeted testing protocols. Novitzky will play a leading role in the creation and implementation of the program, scheduled to be unveiled in July 2015.

Novitzky, who will join the UFC later this month in the organization’s Las Vegas headquarters, will be made available to the media in the coming weeks.

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About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced extensive live programming for UFC Fight Night™: Mendes vs. Lamas this Saturday, April 4 from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

Fight Network will televise the live prelims exclusively in Canada from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. The main card is scheduled to air live on TSN2 at 1 p.m. ET.

The prelims include a women’s bantamweight showdown between former title challenger Liz Carmouche (9-5) and dangerous Alaskan Lauren Murphy (8-1), perennial lightweight contender Gray Maynard (11-4-1, 1NC) battles Russian sambo specialist Alexander Yakovlev (21-6-1), Russian heavyweight Shamil Abdurakhimov (15-2) clashes with once-beaten North Dakota native Timothy Johnson (8-1), plus Maryland native Ron Stallings (12-7, 1NC) meets Californian Justin Jones (3-1) in middleweight action.

Live pre-fight coverage will lead into the prelims on Saturday morning with Fight Network’s UFC Pre-Show Live at 10 a.m. ET, featuring previews, predictions and analysis.

In addition to all the live pre and post-fight coverage, Fight Network is the destination for UFC library content, specials and series, including UFC Unleashed, UFC Now and UFC Ultimate Insider. All airings are listed at tv.fightnetwork.com.

Post-fight coverage airs on Monday’s edition of 5 Rounds on Fight Network, which debuts at 7 p.m. ET and features a comprehensive breakdown of Saturday’s event.

The four-bout preliminary card will re-air on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET leading into a live broadcast of Big Knockout Boxing from Las Vegas, featuring Gabriel Rosado against Curtis Stevens.

The full card for UFC Fight Night™: Mendes vs. Lamas includes:

Main Card (Live on TSN2, 1 p.m. ET):

-Chad Mendes (16-2) vs. Ricardo Lamas (15-3)
-Al Iaquinta (11-3-1) vs. Jorge Masvidal (28-8)
-Michael Chiesa (11-2) vs. Mitch Clarke (11-2)
-Julianna Pena (5-2) vs. Milana Dudieva (11-3)
-Clay Guida (31-15) vs. Robbie Peralta (18-5)
-Dustin Poirier (16-4) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (11-1)

Preliminary Card (Live on Fight Network, 11 a.m. ET):

-Liz Carmouche (9-5) vs. Lauren Murphy (8-1)
-Gray Maynard (11-4-1) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (21-6-1)
-Shamil Abdurakhimov (15-2) vs. Timothy Johnson (8-1)
-Ron Stallings (12-7) vs. Justin Jones (3-1)

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com and follow on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.

Las Vegas – Undisputed UFC® featherweight champion Jose Aldo and challenger Conor McGregor are embarking on a world press tour spanning 10 cities in five countries over the course of 12 days to promote their upcoming world title bout at UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR on Saturday, July 11 at MGM Grand Garden Arena to highlight International Fight Week. The event also features Robbie Lawler defending his UFC welterweight championship for the first time against No. 2 Rory MacDonald.

JOSE ALDO:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour Press Conference – London – March 30

“The attention is on me. I am the champion. The attention is all on me; not the challenger.”

“He wouldn’t last long in the favela; there is a lot of struggle. There, if you talk too much, you won’t last long.”

“It is a moment of happiness defending my title. Every time I walk to the cage I feel happiness. It’s my job.”

“I loved that I had the opportunity to watch the Brazilian national soccer team while I was in London.”

“I know that this is just media, just promotion for the fight. For me, what really matters is what happens inside the cage. That is all that matters.”

“To me, it doesn’t matter what he (McGregor) does or what he brings, it will not be enough. What matters is what I am doing and how I am training. I am the champion.”

“People watching this fight can expect a very dynamic fight. They can expect one of the greatest fights in the history of MMA.”

UFC 189 World Championship Tour Fan Event – Dublin – March 31

“I came here. I’m the king of Dublin. When I got here it was raining, but I brought the sun with me.”

“It’s cool to see you all happy (Irish fans), but when I win the fight you will all bow down to me.”

“When I beat him, you’re the one who will be crying.”

“I’ve never had any fear in my whole career. This is normal to me.”

“That spit bucket you are talking about is what he will use to clean my belt when I win.”

“He talks about money. He’s going to bring me money after this fight. He’s just another fight for me.”

CONOR McGREGOR:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour Press Conference – London – March 30

“He (Aldo) always wants separation from me when we’re together on this tour. But come July 11th in Vegas there is no separation.”

“I feel the range will play a factor. His best option is to get close to me and then he will be in my pocket, but then if I touch him he is finished. Every day, I just get better. Every fight I get better and better. My evolution is undeniable. If you look at his fights (Aldo’s), he stays the same.”

“Thiago Silva (Brazilian soccer player) hasn’t said anything to my face. I would like to see him come and tell me. I will whoop the whole Brazilian team.”

“It’s going to be fun and passionate in Dublin. They will come out in force; I am looking forward to it. I’m happy (the tour) is finishing in Dublin. It gives me great energy to wrap it up at home.”

When asked if UFC will hold an event at Croke Park stadium in Dublin: “We are making millions. We will build a roof in Dublin. I can make it happen.”

“Now there is a path for young people to take in MMA. It is a beautiful thing to see. There is no limit with the next generation of Irish talent and how good they can be.”

“We are two fighters in our prime; this is as real as it gets. We fight with everything we have and then we (the Irish) are going to take the sport over.”

UFC 189 World Championship Tour Fan Event – Dublin – March 31

“I think we have never been on this stage before. We’ve only been here for two years. We already own it. Now we are here. Now he sees what the Irish crowd is like. I take this energy into training camp.”

“Welcome to the Irish age.”

“It’s been a long road. The game can be tough. The MMA community was so small but we stuck with it. We are known for our fighting capabilities. It’s only right that we come and take over the premier fighting organization, the UFC.”

“There’s only one reason that belt is on that side of the table and it’s because he hasn’t faced me yet.”

“Rematches happen a lot, but the manner that I beat him there will be no need for a rematch.”

“I came in (to the UFC) as a two-weight champion. After I get that 145-pound belt I have my eyes on that 155-pound belt.”

“It is absolutely madness. Every city has blown us away. Then we come here, 67,000 people tried to come for this (press conference). We need to start building proper mega-stadiums. I am blown away.”

“Right now I’m focused on this fight, but after this there is another Brazilian with a belt whose a** I’d like to whoop.”

EMBEDDED:

Rio de Janeiro:

Episode 1

Las Vegas:

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Los Angeles:

Episode 5

Boston:

Episode 6

New York:

Episode 7

Toronto:

Episode 8

London:

Episode 9

Dublin:

Episode 10

Tickets for UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR , presented by Bud Light, go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $350, $225 and $125 (prices do not include applicable service charges). Tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com and mgmgrand.com and UFCFightWeek.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR, presented by Bud Light, will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $49.99 US/CAN for Standard Definition and $59.99 US/CAN for High -Definition.

About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

NOW LIVE ON UFC FIGHT PASS… the new episode of the acclaimed retrospective series Fightography featuring UFC Hall of Famer Dan “The Beast” Severn.

In an exclusive interview, the man who won the UFC 5 tournament, two UFC Superfight titles and the Ultimate Ultimate ‘95 tournament gives his perspective on his legendary match with Royce Gracie at UFC 4.

Despite entering the December 1994 tournament on five days’ notice as a replacement, Severn stormed all the way to the final and was the first man to seriously challenge three time UFC champion Gracie.

Severn has spent the last 21-years maintaining he could have won the fight, if he had only stuck Gracie rather than attempt to submit the BJJ master. In Fightography, Severn maintains he couldn’t bring himself to use bare fists on an exhausted Gracie and that he’s “had to live with that” decision ever since.

Also in the interview, Severn details a crazy indecent where, as a teenager, he travelled to the Soviet Block for what was supposed to be an under 18s wrestling meet. Instead, he found himself faced with a grizzled veteran in a virtual no-holds-barred brawl with a croocked referee.

TEASER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIVoFAeL3gs&feature=youtu.be

FULL INTERVIEW: http://www.ufc.tv/category/fightography-dan-severn

FULL COLLECTION OF SEVERN FIGHTS: http://www.ufc.tv/video/fightography-dan-severn

NOTE: UFC FIGHT PASS is now available on XBOX ONE.

Las Vegas – Undisputed UFC® featherweight champion Jose Aldo and challenger Conor McGregor are embarking on a world press tour spanning 10 cities in five countries over the course of 12 days to promote their upcoming world title bout at UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR on Saturday, July 11 at MGM Grand Garden Arena to highlight International Fight Week. The event also features Robbie Lawler defending his UFC welterweight championship for the first time against No. 2 Rory MacDonald.

JOSE ALDO:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour – North American Wrap-Up – March 26 & 27

“Everything he (Conor) says is pretty strange to me. I’m ready for anything; I know what he’s going to do so I really don’t mind. I’m ready for anything he says or anything he does.”

“I’ve been the champion for a long time. They’re all going to talk, but I’m going to (continue) my reign and they will all fall.”

“I don’t take it the unprofessional way, I’m pretty professional. I just let him (Conor) do what he does, but when the fight comes I’m going to win. That’s what I do; I’ve been a champion all of my life. I’m going to go in there and win and keep the belt.”

“Everything is talked about (regarding moving up to lightweight). I already talked to Dana, so after this fight we’ll figure out what is going to happen.”

“I don’t really care how the fight goes, I’m going to win. My whole career, that’s how it goes, I go in there and win the fight. I don’t (predict) anything.”

“After this fight, I’m going to win, I’m going to go home, he’s going to go home crying and my pockets are going to be full of money.”

CONOR McGREGOR:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour – North American Wrap-Up – March 26 & 27

“They are not lines or nothing. I’m not trying to say anything as a line. I’m just saying what I am going to do to him. I’ll say it to him now and I’ll show him later.”

“Before I came along, he (Jose) was co-main event to the bantamweights. Now, we’re on private jets going all over North America, all over the world. Even top-15 featherweights are headlining cards now. It’s the McGregor division, make no mistake about it. If I leave, and go to the lightweight division, the featherweights go back to the prelims, it’s that simple.”

“It’s like in the jungle, one king gets old, he starts getting sloppy, he starts stagnating then a young gorilla comes up and kills him and takes everything he owns. That’s what is happening here.”

“It’s (media) part of the business, it’s something you must fall in love with. I honestly see it as a separate discipline. There’s boxing, there’s wrestling, there’s jiu jitsu, but there’s also media obligations – that is a separate discipline. Fighters can be broke under that spotlight, it can drain them and they lose the fight before it even begins, so it is something that I have learned to fall in love with. Not any particular part of it, just in general I have learned to accept it and become comfortable with it; that is what I am about; I become comfortable in the uncomfortable.”

“F— show business. This is the fight business.”

“Any man that makes the walk through the gate and steps in at any level, I don’t care if it’s in a small hall or it is amateur, if you step in you have my respect.”

“It’s good to come here (NYC), I find it fascinating how Ireland – we’re a nation of about 4.5 million – yet, we spread all over the world. When I come here I see Ireland everywhere. We literally built this city, so it’s good to be back.”

ROBBIE LAWLER:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour – North American Wrap-Up – March 26 & 27

“It was awesome to be in New York with these fans. They are amazing and really energetic to the point where they are still hanging around after the press conference. Their energy is excellent and helps in pumping up the fight.”

“I can’t wait to get back on the grind for this upcoming fight. This is what I love to do. I fight because it’s how I live. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and the competition is what I love. I love the sport.”

“It’s going to be an awesome fight (between Jose and Conor). Look what these guys brought to the table; look at these fans out here going crazy, this is awesome.”

“It’s nice to be a part of this. I’m a laid back guy so it’s nice for Conor and Jose to put on a show here. Come July 11th, I’ll be the one putting on a show.”

“I don’t really pay much attention to anyone else. I concentrate on myself; it makes life easier and let everyone else decide those things (matchups). I worry about myself and what I can control which is working hard and staying humble.”

“I don’t really care where I fight on the card. I’ll fight first, I’ll fight in the back, I’ll fight in the alley I don’t care. I’m not here to be the main event or this or that. I’m here to put on a show and beat people up and that’s what I concentrate on. I don’t really worry about where I’m at on the card.”

RORY MacDONALD:

UFC 189 World Championship Tour – North American Wrap-Up – March 26 & 27

“It’s an honor to be in this International Fight Week card, but this is not what drives me. I have never been so focused. I will show my best on July 11th. Lawler is internationally respected. A very good fighter, I feel people from Toronto will respect him a lot.”

“I can’t pinpoint anything. Both my losses were huge for my growing. Identifying weaknesses, not only technically but mentally has been a big part of it. I’m thankful for all the experiences I’ve had in MMA – the ups and the downs, all of it is a blessing and I’m happy to be here.”

“I’ll fight anybody, he’d (Conor) have a tough fight with me I think.”

“I feel very confident with my skillset in every martial art discipline. Wherever the fight goes I feel confident. I take a very similar approach to Robbie, I worry about myself and not my opponents and I prepare myself for war.”

“Every experience I gain confidence, more and more confidence, with my growth in this sport. Not only the evolution of my techniques in the gym but also my victories in the cage.”

“I have fire in my veins. It’s something I was born with and I live with.”

Regarding bringing the welterweight title back to Tristar where Georges St. Pierre held the belt for six years: “Everyone wants the title back in the gym and I’m going to go get it.”

EMBEDDED:

Rio de Janeiro:

Episode 1

Las Vegas:

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Los Angeles:

Episode 5

Boston:

Episode 6

Tickets for UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR , presented by Bud Light, go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $350, $225 and $125 (prices do not include applicable service charges). Tickets are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com and mgmgrand.com and UFCFightWeek.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets will also be available in person at any MGM Resorts International box office. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

UFC® 189: ALDO vs. McGREGOR, presented by Bud Light, will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $49.99 US/CAN for Standard Definition and $59.99 US/CAN for High -Definition.

About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.

Rio de Janeiro – The UFC® today announced the appointment of Giovani Luis Decker as its Senior Vice President and General Manager of Brazil, effective early April 2015.

An executive with 23 years of experience, Decker has honed his skills and established himself as a leader throughout his tenure in the footwear and sporting goods industry. He has a proven track record of successfully growing businesses, increasing revenues and driving brand awareness within start-up and rapid-change environments.

Decker most recently served as ASICS Brazil’s first-ever Brazilian President. Prior to this appointment in 2012, he served as the brand’s General Manager and Vice President, resulting in the Brazilian subsidiary becoming third most successful global footwear brand in the market. Early in his career, he held Commercial Manager roles with Brazilian footwear and sporting goods company CALÇADOS AZALÉIA.

On the appointment, UFC Chief Global Brand Officer Garry Cook said: “Brazil represents the UFC’s largest market outside of the USA and we are pleased to have Giovani take the helm and continue to grow and guide this thriving business. With the upcoming launch of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, newly crowned lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, long-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo facing the fiercest challenge of his career and global star Ronda Rousey headlining this summer’s blockbuster event in Rio, there will be no shortage of excitement and opportunity for Giovani and the UFC Brazil team.”

Decker added: “I am honored to be joining the UFC. Mixed martial arts has long captivated the Brazilian sport fan and held an important place in the Brazilian sporting landscape and I am excited at the opportunity of joining the world’s leading MMA organization. I have spent my career leading brands to new heights and will bring the same intensity and experience to the UFC.”

Decker will be based in the UFC’s Brazilian headquarters in Sao Paulo, overseeing the organizations Brazilian events, continuing to develop local athletes and furthering the growth of the brand and the business.

*Photo courtesy: Tarcisio Generoso.

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About the UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS™, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.