Former UFC World Heavyweight Champ, Ricco Rodriguez, To Fight In SLC, Utah

Courtesy of Ultimate Combat Experience:

Ricco Rodriguez is he former UFC World Heavyweight Champion. Having beaten the best of the best in the world like Randy Cotoure and Andre Arlovski, Rodriguez admittedly was sidelined by an addiction to drugs. Making his comeback after appearing on VH-1's Celebrity Rehab, he starts his trek back to the top at the E Center in West Valley City, Utah June 28, 2008.

West Valley City, Utah (June 17, 2008) -- One of the most prolific Mixed Martial Arts fighters ever to enter the cage will be performing in front of MMA fans at the E Center in West Valley, City, Utah Saturday June 28, 2008 in the Ultimate Combat Experience.

Ricco Rodriguez has beaten some of the best in the world. Randy Couture, Paul Bentuello, and Andre Arlovski (all in the top 10 of most world rankings) have all fallen at the hands of Rodriguez.

A personal bout with drug addiction found Rodriguez falling from the upper echelon of the UFC heavyweight division and onto reality television on VH-1's Celebrity Rehab.
Rodriguez appears back and more determined than ever to fight his way back to the top. "I learned a lot over the past several months," Says Rordriguez. "I found out a lot about who I am and what is important in life. Right now I won't settle for anything but the belt."

Rodriguez will begin his journey toward that belt and the glory of being the best in the world at the E Center vs rising star, Chris Guillen.

Guillen has thoughts of cracking into the top ten, himself. He sees this fight as an opportunity to get the attention of the powers that be at the UFC. "I've won four of my last five fights. I am fighting the best of the best in Ricco.

Beating him will definitely get me noticed," says the confident Guillen. He continues, "I've watched his last few fights, and I think I've got a serious shot at beating him."
Time will tell if Guillen has what it takes to unseat Rodriguez. Regardless of the outcome, fans in Salt Lake City will get their first taste of world-class mixed martial arts at the E Center on June 28th.

The Ultimate Combat Experience is a televised Mixed Martial Arts based TV program seen in most major US Markets on MAV TV, and on America One Networks.

Photos, B-Roll, and interviews available upon request.

Mike Stidham
(801) 755-7843
www.ultimatecombat.com