Thunder Promotions Scores Hip Hop Legend Rapper Coolio For Exhibition Bout Hip Hop Rapper Coolio Steps In The Ring

Source - Thunder Promotions:

Los Angeles, CA (November 12, 2009) Thunder Promotions is proud to announce that they added hip hop great rapper and entertainer "Coolio" to its highly anticipated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, "Alabama Pride" Saturday, December 12th fight card featuring heavyweight contenders and UFC Veterans, Jeff 'Snowman' Monson (30-9) against Travis 'Ironman' Fulton (190-45) in a 3-5 minute round heavyweight fight at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC).

Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor and recently turned author of Cookin with Coolio, Artis Leon Ivey, aka Coolio will take on up and coming actor Eric Martinez in a scheduled three-two minute round kick boxing bout. Martinez based out or Albuquerque, NM is best known for his role in, "Love Lies Bleeding" starring Christian Slater.

"I'm not a good loser, so I don't plan on losing, it will be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to seeing my fans out in Birmingham. I'm scheduled to perform on Dec 11th the night of the weigh-in and I'll rock the mic the same night after I beat up Martinez." States Coolio. "I chose Coolio because he is a great entertainer and a tough guy. Not only is he going to fight, but he is going to perform live after the weigh-ins and after the fight. The Location of these performances will be announced. This event is going to be the most entertaining MMA event Birmingham has ever seen." States President Rod Riccardi.

A host of celebrities have been invited to attend "Alabama Pride." The commentators for this event will be 3-time boxing world champ, Bobby Czyz and UFC Hall of Famer, Dan "The Beast" Severn. This event will be broadcasted on The Fight Network and on line. "Alabama Pride" promises to be a star studded night to be remembered with special invited guest; Tracy Patterson, Ray Mercer, Virgil Hill, Renzo Gracie, Daniel Gracie, Gregor Gracie, and Deontay Wilder, and I am HipRock artist Ti'Jean, and Myspace Record Label rising hip hop icon Bossman. Tickets are on sale now at all ticket master locations or by calling 800-982-2787 or online at www.ticketmasters.com and with special hotel rates at the Sheraton Birmingham, rooms $99.00 a night. Additional information is available at www.thunderpromotions.com, www.iamhiprock.com

ABOUT: Thunder Promotions wants to excite the sport's mainstream and hardcore fans, while also attracting and developing a new fan base. Our mission is to provide a true mixed martial arts (MMA) experience at its best. To Increase Prospects and the Local Favorites up close in a safe atmosphere without the hassle of those long drives, airfares and at fair prices that give fans the most value for their money. Thunder Promotions team uses their past experience in the sport of MMA to deliver to the fans the most excellent match-ups, providing exhilarating fights that rival the major Promoters. Thunder Promotions plans to stage professional MMA fights in Mississippi, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and Tennessee as well as international venues. TP boasts a team of seasoned professionals including Felix Martinez V.P. of Operations, a former police office turned promoter who spearheaded the CFFC (Cage Fury Fighting Championship) and was awarded MMA promoter of the year by New Jersey Press. Daniel Gracie, Match Maker for TP, and a professional mixed martial artist who fought against some of Japan's top competitors, each time in an arena with well over 60,000 fans. Athletic Director and Surgeon Dr. David G. Lemak. Dr. Lemak is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who offers his extensive training, research, and experiences to the practice of orthopedic sports medicine. As a mentor he has trained residents and fellows on surgical techniques and led sports medicine fellows through complex orthopedic procedures. His knowledge is shared among the orthopedic community through numerous publications and professional lectures.

For all press inquiries please contact publicist Pam Pinnock at 678-920-2582 or email pampinnock@aol.com, Or for additional information about the box matching www.iamhiprock.com and www.ThunderPromotions.com