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K-1 Announces World GP '08 Format

In a press conference at the Fuji Television Bldg. in Tokyo's seaside district of Odaiba, K-1 organizing body FEG today unveiled the format and provisional schedule for the K-1 World Grand Prix '08.

The K-1 World GP is fightsport's most prestigious event, attracting the world's best fighters and televised in 135 countries. K-1's 16th season will feature major World GP Championship tournaments in four regions: Japan, Asia, the USA and Europe.

New MMA School Opening In Nashville, TN

Nashville’s newest MMA training center, Bad Wolf MMA, will be opening their new location at 707 D Rivergate Parkway in Goodletsville, Tennessee, across from the Rivergate Mall. The state-of-the-art facility has over 5,100 square feet of training area and will feature a Boxing Ring, Full Throwdown Cage, Muay Thai and Boxing bag stations, along with over 2,500 square feet of Zebra mats. In addition, we will have a Pro Shop that offers the latest gear, apparel and training equipment.

“Bang” Battles Daley On “Shamrock vs. Baroni” Card

Superpowers will go head to head when K-1 and UFC veteran and Strikeforce fan favorite, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, faces EliteXC’s British Cage Rage champion, Paul “Semtex” Daley, in a 170-pound limit matchup during “Shamrock vs. Baroni,” live on June 22, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The mega-MMA fight card, being co-produced by EliteXC and Strikeforce, will be headlined by the long-awaited showdown between former UFC middleweight king, Frank Shamrock, and UFC and Pride veteran, “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni, plus five other explosive bouts airing live on pay-per-view.

At stake during the fight between EliteXC’s Shamrock (strikeforceusa.net, frankshamrock.proelite.com) and Baroni (strikeforceusa.net, philbaroni.proelite.com) will be the vacant Strikeforce world middleweight (185-pound limit) championship.

Fight Network Gets Sirius

The Fight Network Inc., parent company to Fight Network Radio., has signed a deal with Hardcore Sports Radio to launch a daily news and talk show called FIGHT NETWORK RADIO available throughout North America on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 186. The live show will be hosted by The Fight Network’s own Mauro Ranallo and will cover the sports of boxing, pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. FIGHT NETWORK RADIO will also feature various co-hosts each week based on news or fight events that the fans and industry insiders are following.

“I am really pleased to announce this deal,” said Mike Garrow, President of The Fight Network. “We are always looking for strategic areas to expand our brand into and satellite radio is a great platform for us to reach out and connect with consumers in a unique and engaging way each and everyday,” he added.

Strikeforce Launches New-Look Website

World championship mixed martial arts federation, Strikeforce, has re-launched its website, www.strikeforceusa.net, with a bold, new look and a host of new features, including video streaming capability that will allow the organization to host fight footage online.

In addition to highlights from select fights, Strikeforce’s online home will soon feature video interviews with its athletes and other behind-the-scenes footage that will give visitors an in-depth look into the world of mixed martial arts. Up to date news coverage of Strikeforce events and fighters is provided as is an option to subscribe to Strikeforce’s free online newsletter.

Tommy Morrison Heads To The Cage

Tommy "The Duke" Morrison, one of the most intriguing boxers to even step into the squared circle, shocked the MMA world this week by announcing his intention to fight 340 lb. John Stover, an experienced cagefighter with 8 professional fights, on June 9, 2007 at the Cliff Castle Casino Arizona during the World Fighting Championship.

Morrison's bombshell announcement comes over a decade after his previous bombshell announcement that rocked the boxing world that he had tested positive for AIDS. Morrison, however, has been symptom free for 10 years now and claims that he was the victim of a false positive test result. He recently started boxing again and was cleared to return to the ring by the West Virginia Athletic Commission after passing a battery of medical tests in Arizona, the results of which were forwarded to West Virginia.

TKO Announces First Women's MMA Bout

TKO Major League MMA is delighted to announce its first ever female mixed martial arts (MMA) bout when SARAH KAUFMAN (4-0-0), fighting out of Victoria, B.C., squares off against VALERIE LETOURNEAU (1-0-0), fighting out of Montreal, QC. MMA has traditionally had a reputation of being a male-dominated, testosterone-driven sport. However, a growing number of women, like Montreal’s own Valerie Letourneau, will paint a different picture for you. “Fighting for TKO is like a dream come true for me! I have wanted to fight for this company for a very long time and I feel ready and very excited for June 1st!”

Letourneau started her training and competing in kick-boxing 9 years ago, at the age of only 15. After taking 4 years off to raise her new born daughter, Letourneau is back and seems hungrier than ever. She recently traveled to Brazil to train jiu-jitsu for a month with one of the most highly regarded grappling camps in the world, Gracie Barra. Currently, Letourneau is in Boston, Massachusetts along with TKO Superstar, Patrick Cote, to sharpen her striking skills with one of North America’s finest Thai-Boxing coaches, Kru Mark DellaGrotte.

Couture's Operation Offers Support To Returning American Troops

Memorial Day was first officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan. 139 years later, Randy “Captain America” Couture continues to remember those who have fought for our freedom with Operation Xtreme Sacrifice. In conjunction with UFC 71, The Extreme Couture Foundation will be raising money, awareness, and thanking those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on Sunday, May 27th from Couture’s training compound in Las Vegas. The launch party for Operation Xtreme Sacrifice will include a red carpet arrival for celebrities, UFC superstars, sponsors and several of our decorated veterans. There will be several ways to donate money for the troops and their families. Tax deductible donations will be collected thru ticket sales, a live auction featuring a hunting trip with Randy himself and even a text contribution program. This event takes no political stance and is simply a platform for letting the troops know how much we care.

Huntington Beach "Outlaw" Faces "Juggernaut" on Bodog Fight: Costa Rica Combat

Much like the Stan Lee comic book character from which he gets his nickname, Jake "The Juggernaut" Ellenberger is often unstoppable when in motion and seemingly invulnerable to all forms of physical damage.

The 21-year-old mixed martial arts athlete has 12 wins in his 14 pro bouts with nine of those wins by way of knockout, earning him praise from one of the best in the business.

"He's a young talented guy with a great work ethic," says trainer Matt Lindland. "That's a rare combination. He even helps out on my ranch in Oregon when he needs some extra cash. I actually named one of my goats after him - Little Jake!"

"I'm not sure if that's an honor or not," laughs the Nebraska native. "But I do know training with guys like Matt and Dan Henderson at Team Quest has really helped me to raise my game. Their commitment and dedication to the sport is second-to-none."

Ellenberger looks to emulate the success of his Team Quest mates when he takes on 33-year-old Huntington Beach native Zach Light (5-3) on an all new episode of the hit mixed martial arts series Bodog Fight: Costa Rica Combat this Tuesday, May 8th at 11 p.m. / 10 p.m. Central on ION Television.

"Two Worlds, One Cage:" Mercer vs. Kimbo

Former heavyweight boxing champion takes on reputed street brawler

The world heavyweight champion and “baddest man on the planet" has always been crowned in the squared ring dating back to the 1800s. That distinction has been blurred recently with the rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Truth be told, it all started with bare-knuckle fighting, two men meeting at a random location with money exchanged between supporters in a winner-take-all brawl. On June 23 Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. presents CFFC 5, the “Present World,” former world heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer, fighting the “Old World,” underground bare-knuckle legend Kimbo Slice, in the “New World” environment – The Cage, in an MMA bout at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, live on pay-per-view.

Tickets, priced at $50, $75, $100, $200, and $250, are on sale and available at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-736-1420, or online at ticketmaster.com.