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Thank You, Axl Rotten (And R.I.P.)

Saturday, November 21, 2015

"Golden Boy" Ric Flair?

If you've ever wanted to save 74% on a (toy) WWE belt signed by Ric Flair, you've got your (limited) chance.

Insider Sports Deals has exactly one left.

I'll admit, I don't understand why anyone would want a Ric Flair autograph on a title he never held, but, that aside, this does seem like a pretty good deal. Oh, and despite their description, it does read, "Nature Boy," and not, "Golden Boy."

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Press Release: Everything You Didn't Know About New UFC Champ Holly Holm And Her Crushing Defeat Of Ronda Rousey On A Special Edition Of AXS TV'S 'INSIDE MMA' This Friday, Nov. 20 At 11:30pE/8:30pP

'INSIDE MMA' Reports from Holm's Hometown to Explore the New Champ's Rise to Fame, Showcases Exclusive Fight Footage and Welcomes Guests Who Know Her Best to Discuss Holm's Historic Upset of Ronda Rousey

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17, 2015 -- New UFC champion Holly Holm stunned the sports world Saturday night when she knocked out undefeated six-time defending bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in the second round at UFC 193. Holm's amazing performance has launched her to international stardom, and AXS TV—the network where Holm rose to prominence in the MMA world as Legacy Fighting Championship's first ever women's titlist—will dedicate this Friday's episode of INSIDE MMA to introducing the world to the newly crowned UFC champion through exclusive interviews with Holm and those who know her best, expert analysis of her fight plan, and devastating knockouts from Legacy that were remarkably similar to the result this past Saturday night.

"INSIDE MMA SPECIAL EDITION: HOLLY HOLM" airs live this Friday, Nov. 20 an hour early at 11:30pE/8:30pP, with series hosts Kenny Rice and UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten. The show will look back at some of Holm's greatest interviews from her numerous appearances on INSIDE MMA and expects to welcome Legacy President Mick Maynard, who had the vision to sign Holm in 2013, and more guests to be announced.

Rutten, a former UFC title holder himself, will provide expert analysis on how Holm pulled off one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history. Then, AXS TV FIGHTS commentators UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich and "The Voice" Michael Schiavello, will join the show to share their unique insight of the champion, after having called all of Holm's fights with Legacy, such as her thrilling head kick KO of Allana Jones at Legacy 21 and her dominant fifth round TKO victory over Juliana Werner to win her first MMA title at Legacy 30 in 2014.

INSIDE MMA correspondent Ron Kruck will report from Holm's home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to capture the city's response to the victory, including reactions from her teammates and training partners at Jackson-Wink MMA Academy.

INSIDE MMA will also talk to "Vegas" Dave Oancea on what prompted his $20,000 bet on Holm that was reportedly cashed for $240,000.

INSIDE MMA, the longest running and only independent MMA news show on television, first featured Holm on the series as she rose through Legacy Fighting Championship's ranks to win the promotion's inaugural women's bantamweight title before signing with the UFC and has closely followed her career ever since. Through numerous features and interviews, as well as her highlight-reel knockouts from AXS TV FIGHTS' coverage of her fights, Holm has been a long-time friend of INSIDE MMA, even exclusively sharing her first response after hearing the news she would fight Rousey. AXS TV is also planning a special edition of AXS TV FIGHTS replaying all of Holm's fights on the network that led to her meteoric rise.

INSIDE MMA kicks off live Friday night immediately following AXS TV FIGHTS: LION FIGHT 26 at 9pE/6pP, where champion Tetsuya Yamato defends his world title against British phenom Greg Wooton in the main event live from the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

ABOUT AXS TV FIGHTS

AXS TV Fights presents more LIVE mixed martial arts and kickboxing events than any other television network with 40+ LIVE world-class fight cards each year. "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich call all the action as champions, challengers, and top prospects take center stage every Friday night at 10pE/7pP. AXS TV Fights can be found online, on Facebook and on Twitter. AXS TV is widely distributed in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers. The network is also carried in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean

SOURCE: AXS TV

Monday, November 16, 2015

Press Release: JOSH KOSCHECK MAKES BELLATOR MMA DEBUT AGAINST MATT SECOR IN MAIN EVENT OF BELLATOR 148 ON JANUARY 29

PAUL DALEY LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS AGAINST ANDY UHRICH IN CO-HEADLINER

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 16, 2015) – The highly anticipated Bellator MMA debut of Josh Koscheck (17-10) will take place in his home town of Fresno, Calif. on January 29 at “Bellator 148: Koscheck vs. Secor.” The popular welterweight will look to make a splash of an entrance against a streaking Matt Secor (7-2).

Bellator officials also announced an additional welterweight attraction between British slugger Paul “Semtex” Daley (37-13-2) and Andy Uhrich (11-5) will serve as the co-main event.

The “Bellator 148: Koscheck vs. Secor” event takes place January 29 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. and airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets for the event start at only $25 and go on sale at the Save Mart Center Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com this Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT.

One of the most recognizable faces in all of mixed martial arts, “Kos” feels re-invigorated since signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion and has plans for an active 2016. With bouts against some of the most prominent names in the sport already on his resume, the 37-year-old hopes to be involved in big fights under the bright lights that only Bellator MMA and Spike can bring to the table.

Koscheck’s first test in his new promotion will come in the way of Secor, a competitor who has rallied off three-straight victories, most recently an impressive Achilles lock against Jeremie Holloway at “Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho” in October. Submissions are a specialty of the New York native, with six of seven wins coming by way of tapout.

Since returning to the Bellator MMA fray, Daley has been on an absolute tear, winning two fights in as many tries. Now, the prominent British fighter has his eyes set on a welterweight title run, and would definitely enjoy a future opportunity to avenge a controversial loss against a familiar foe in Koscheck.

Standing opposite of Daley will be Uhrich, a Strikeforce veteran who has seen mixed success under the Bellator MMA banner. Most recently, “Stunner” has put together three consecutive victories and returns to the California-based promotion with the hope of derailing Daley’s championship hopes.

About Bellator MMA:

Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Spike:

Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike's press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

SOURCE: BZA PR

Friday, November 13, 2015

Press Release: Ronda Rousey Featured On The Cover Of EA SPORTS UFC 2 Out Spring 2016

EA SPORTS Reveals Full Set of Innovative Features, All-New Game Modes, and Game-Changing Visuals So Fans Can Finish the Fight

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-- Nov 13, 2015 --Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) today announced EA SPORTS™ UFC® 2 will launch this Spring, featuring UFC® bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey as the game’s global lead cover athlete. Rousey, the undefeated UFC champion (12-0), is the most dominant and recognized fighter in the world. Hear what Rousey thinks about the cover and get a first look of the champ in the virtual Octagon® here.

“EA Sports is a cultural barometer to know what’s going on in sports at the moment,” said Rousey. “As a gamer myself, it’s pretty surreal to be on the cover of the game and to have a woman on the cover of a UFC game shows a lot of progress. I’m really happy to be involved with it.”

EA SPORTS UFC 2 takes the franchise’s stunning character likeness and animation to another level, adds an all-new Knockout Physics System and authentic gameplay features, and introduces the biggest ever roster of real-world fighters in a MMA game who will step back into the Octagon on Xbox One and PlayStation®4.

“Like any champion fighter going into their next fight, we listened to our corner – in our case, the fans – and took a detailed look at everything we can do to take the fight game to a whole new level,” said Creative Director Brian Hayes. “We’re doing that by introducing innovative gameplay features, delivering a game mode for every fighter regardless of their style of play, and adding helpful tools so fans can master MMA, all while producing the jaw-dropping visuals that fans expect.”

EA SPORTS UFC 2 is headlined by five brand new game modes including KO Mode and UFC Ultimate Team, a revamped Career Mode that lets fans create female fighters for the first time ever in a UFC game, and Grapple Assist, an integrated visual tool to help players learn and perfect takedowns, ground game transitions, and submissions. Full feature and mode details can be found at http://easports.com/ufc/features.

Rousey will defend her title tomorrow in the Octagon at UFC® 193: ROUSEY vs. HOLM at Etihad Stadium, to mark the first UFC event in Melbourne, Australia. This event will also make UFC history as the first time two women’s world title bouts will headline a PPV event.

For pre-order information, visit http://easports.com/UFC/buy

EA SPORTS UFC 2 is developed in Burnaby, British Columbia by EA Canada. More information is available on the EA SPORTS UFC website, and in-depth feature details will be announced in the months leading up to launch. Fans should keep an eye on the website, as well as the EA SPORTS UFC Facebook and Twitter pages to make sure they’re always up-to-date on the latest and greatest news.

EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through videogames, including Madden NFL football, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and EA SPORTS UFC®.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 300 million registered players around the world.

In fiscal year 2015, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Dragon Age™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, The Sims, Dragon Age, Plants vs. Zombies and Battlefield are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. and its subsidiaries. Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Octagon Girls®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa®,The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and affiliated entities in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners. Any use of the preceding copyrighted program, trademarks, trade dress, or other intellectual property owned by Zuffa, LLC is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Zuffa. All rights are hereby expressly reserved. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Xbox is a trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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 158 countries and territories to over 1 billion 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 that is available throughout the world 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.

SOURCE: EA Studios

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Cheap-Plug Alert! An Update On Daniel Puder

The following comes courtesy of My Life My Power Entertainment:

FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE, LIVE PRO WRESTLING EVENT

Professional Wrestlers Compete at Event to Fund Anti-Bullying Efforts

Miami, FL (November 4th, 2015) – On November 14th 2015 at 5:00 P.M., My Life My Power Entertainment is hosting a Live Pro Wrestling Event in Miami, Florida at Miami Jackson Senior High School! An exciting collaboration for the event involves the support from another non-profit, Step into my Sole, who will be donating over $200,000 worth of Saucony shoes in which every student and teacher who attends the event will receive a pair! Partners for the event include Ronin Pro Wrestling, United Teachers of Dade (UTD), The Florida Education Association (FEA), and PTA/PTSA with Miami-Dade County Council. The event will benefit Puder’s 501(c)3 non-profit organization, My Life My Power World, Inc., whose mission is to enhance the well being of at-risk youth by addressing the bullying crisis and providing mentorship-based programs to schools around the nation.

The event is family friendly and provides attendees with an up-close and personal experience with pro-wrestlers that will have you saying “WOW!” Fans attending the event are not only treated to high-flying maneuvers and body-slams from nationally known wrestling stars, but fans get to personally shake the hands with the wrestlers and get a photo and autograph at the pre-show and red-carpet! These world class athletes have competed in football stadiums and on pay-per-view but love the up close and personal atmosphere of what My Life My Power Entertainment’s events provide to the community! The highlight of the event will be a "Super 3 on 3 Match", in which UTD President, Fed Ingram, Undefeated Mixed Martial Arts Fighter and WWE’s Tough Enough Champion, Daniel Puder, and LtCol USMC, Major Mark will be taking on anyone who is up for the challenge!

“United Teachers of Dade is excited to be a partner of an event where entertainers and athletes can inspire the youth within our District! This event aligns with UTD’s mission to educate students, empower members, and unite families! I personally have seen the difference that Daniel Puder’s My Life My Power Program has in the lives of our youth with my own son as a testimony of its continuing success!” - Fed Ingram, UTD President

“PTA has worked closely with Daniel Puder and My Life My Power to create an event that can cater to our parents, teachers and students. Through this family friendly event, we look forward to helping raise funds so that we can bring Puder’s life changing My Life My Power Curriculum to the schools in South Florida.” - Joseph Gebara, PTA President

Tickets are available online at: www.MLMPENT.eventbee.com

Date: Saturday, November 14th, 2015

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Location: Miami Jackson Senior High School (Free Parking)

Address: 1751 NW 36th Street, Miami, Florida 33142

Recent news article about the upcoming event: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article41614245.html

About My Life My Power World, Inc. and Founder, Daniel Puder:

My Life My Power World, Inc. is a national anti-bullying and youth development non-profit organization that was founded in 2010 by undefeated Mixed Martial Arts fighter and WWE’s Tough Enough Champion, Daniel Puder. As a young adult, Puder struggled with being overweight and suffered from severe learning disabilities, which led to bullying by his peers throughout the majority of his schooling. After learning of kids who had committed suicide as a result of similar bullying, he felt a personal connection to the issue and created MLMP to encourage positive change in the mindset of today’s youth. For more information, please visit: www.MyLifeMyPower.org