ProElite MMA Returns Live On HDNet At Neal Blaisdell Center Honolulu, Hawaii -- January 21, 2012
Fight Card Headline features "Da Spyder vs. The PUNK" and ProElite Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi's
LOS ANGELES, Dec 09, 2011 -- ProElite (PK:PELE) makes its return to the MMA-centric islands of Hawaii, featuring a fight card loaded with world class talent on January 21, 2012 at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main event matches Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove against Ikuhisa “The PUNK” Minowa, and includes the semifinals of the ProElite Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Tickets for “ProElite: Da Spyder vs The PUNK” will be on sale soon to the general public at the Blaisdell Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations (800)745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and www.ProElite.com. The ProElite event, a wholly-owned property of Stratus Media Group (www.stratusmediagroup.com), will be televised live on HDNet at 10 P.M. EST
Hawaii native Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (13-9) returns to the ProElite cage to take on international fan favorite Ikuhisa “The PUNK” Minowa (51-32-8) of Nagoya, Japan. The 6-foot-6 Grove had an impressive showing on ProElite’s last card in Hawaii (August 27, 2011) where he choked out tough MMA veteran Joe “Diesel” Riggs with a guillotine choke at just :59 seconds of the first round.
With 35 of his 51 wins coming by way of submission, Japanese fight icon Minowa is one of the most well known and recognizable fighters on the international circuit today. He has competed in PrideFC and Dream, where he defeated three MMA giants including Bob Sapp (Achilles Lock), Hong Man Choi (Heel Hook), and Sokoudjou (TKO) to capture the Dream Super Hulk (Openweight) Grand Prix title. The January 21 fight will mark Minowa’s ProElite and North American debut.
The Honolulu Card also features the first semifinal match of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, and showcases the very tough Ryan Martinez (6-1) taking on headhunter Cody Griffin (5-2).
In his ProElite debut, Martinez handed 2009 NCAA Heavyweight wrestling champion Mark Ellis his first MMA defeat by unanimous decision in the first stage of the Grand Prix on November 5, 2011. Known for his go for broke fighting style, the 5-foot-11 Martinez hails from Greenley, Colorado where he trains out of Infinite MMA. Griffin, a true comeback kid, brings an explosive style to the match. Between the two fighters only 3 out of their 14 total fights have gone to decision.
The opposite bracket features the heavy hitting Jake “The Honey Bear” Heun (2-1) against the biggest physical competitor in the tournament at 6-foot-5, Richard “The Black Eagle” Odoms (6-0).
Heun looks to continue his rise to prominence after training with Chris “The Crippler” Leben during his time as a Linebacker at the University of Hawaii and is now refining his technique in Utah under the guidance of MMA pioneer Jeremy “Gumby” Horn. Heun has become a dangerous opponent for any fighter entering the cage with him.
Richard Odoms, an imposing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds, is truly a giant in the cage. The San Antonio, Texas police officer dominated his November 5 fight against Rod Housley and won a clear cut unanimous decision to advance into the Honolulu semifinals.
ABOUT PROELITE
Founded in 2006, Proelite has been a major global force in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). ProElite, based in Los Angeles, California, continues its legacy to hold key domestic and international live MMA events. The company owns U.K. based MMA brand Cage Rage and is a significant stakeholder in Spirit MC in South Korea. ProElite signed a broadcast deal with HD NET in October 2011 to broadcast fights live in the highest quality video for consumers and fans. ProElite also holds the distinction of having produced one of the two highest-rated televised broadcasts of a live major network MMA event.
www.proelite.com
ABOUT STRATUS
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, with offices in Los Angeles, California; New York City, NY; Geneva, Switzerland; and Perugia, Italy, Stratus Media Group, Inc. (SMDI) is an owner, operator, developer, producer, and marketer of live entertainment events. In addition, the company owns Stratus White, a new standard in personal lifestyle and card services for the global affluent. Available by invitation only, Stratus White is a discreet, elite member & partner community providing exclusive and unparalleled service and access across the luxury product & travel, social, sporting, cultural and philanthropic areas of life, including events and experiences.
www.stratusmediagroup.com
www.stratuswhite.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release relating to plans, strategies, projections of results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. Although the company's management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. The company has no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: ProElite