Hamman-Suganuma Fight Tops Excellent EliteXC/ShoXC MMA Event

[NWOWolfpack]

Hamman-Suganuma Fight Tops Excellent EliteXC/ShoXC MMA Event This Saturday

ELITEXC’S THIRD CARD IN THREE WEEKS,
FIFTH IN 29 DAYS, THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 5,
AT TABLE MOUNTAIN CASINO IN FRIANT, CA.

LOS ANGELES (April 1, 2008) – In an excellent matchup of promising light heavyweights, undefeated Jared Hamman (9-0) of San Bernardino, Calif., faces once-beaten Poai Suganuma (8-1) of Hilo, Hawaii, in the main event on ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series this Saturday, April 5, live on SHOWTIME (11:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) at Table Mountain Casino at Friant, Calif.

ShoXC is patterned after the popular SHOWTIME boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation, which pits developing fighters in tough match ups. ShoXC, like ShoBox, is a springboard for the future stars and champions of EliteXC.

Tickets, priced at $50 (General Admission), $60 (Gold), $70 (Reserved) and $80 (VIP), are available at the Main Casino Cage at Table Mountain Casino online at http://www.tmcasino.com/tickets.html. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. First live fight is at 5:30 p.m. PT.

The mixed martial arts fight card is the third in three weeks for Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc.’s live fight division, Elite XC – all on SHOWTIME -- and fifth in 29 days.

EliteXC, led by Gary Shaw, was involved with cage events on March 8 (London, Cage Rage), March 15 (Honolulu, Icon Sport) and March 29 (San Jose, Calif., Strikeforce). It also is EliteXC’s second ShoXC fight card in three weeks. The other came on March 21 (Santa Ynez., Calif.).

If the run of MMA events isn’t enough, Shaw, who’s one of the world’s top boxing promoters, will also present an outstanding fistic doubleheader Saturday, April 12, on SHOWTIME.

“I’ve been racking up the frequent flyer miles, but it’s worth the effort,’’ Shaw said. “A lot of work goes into putting on quality, first class shows and the fight team at EliteXC deserves a ton of credit.

“There are a lot of willing fighters out there, but it takes excellent matchmaking to make the best fights happen, and we have an outstanding, hard-working fight team that continually puts together the kinds of fights that always offer a bit of everything to those in attendance and watching on SHOWTIME.

“Like I’ve said, this (ShoXC) is the best place for young fighters to establish themselves and make a name. I really believe that ShoXC continues to do for MMA what ShoBox has done for boxing. This is truly another great show, for sure, and it’s stacked with promising prospects.’’

Since its inception, EliteXC has consistently featured women's fights on SHOWTIME. On this show, crowd-pleasing, talented Shayna “The Queen Of Spades’’ Baszler of Sioux Falls, S.D., will face Japan’s Keiko Tamai (16-14) at 140 pounds. Another top match will feature comebacking Brazilian, Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (7-4), who will make his eagerly awaited EliteXC and ShoXC debut, against Joe Camacho (10-11-3) of Los Angeles in a 160-pound bout.

HAMMAN-SUGANUMA HEADLINE STELLAR SHOXC: ELITE CHALLENGER SERIES FIGHT CARD – APRIL 5

In other televised fights, Wilson Reis (3-0) of Philadelphia faces Doug Evans (5-2) of Anchorage, Alaska, at 140 pounds and Giva “The Arm Collector’’ Santana (10-0) of Irvine, Calif., meets Matt “Luke Duke’’ Lucas (9-0) of Arizona in a battle of unbeatens at 185 pounds.

Non-televised bouts include: Promising Melanie LaCroix (1-0) of Los Angeles, Calif., vs. KC Noland (1-2) of San Luis Obispo, Calif., at 140 pounds; Jaime Iracheta (debut) of Fresno, Calif., vs. Brent Cooper (1-0) of Irvine, Calif., at 185 pounds; Telly Sanders (debut) of Fresno vs. Roberto Vargas (1-0) of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., at 165 pounds; Yasser Pezzat (debut) of Fresno vs. Luke Riddering (debut) of San Luis Obispo at 265 pounds; Carl Saumantafa (2-0) of Fresno vs. Amadeo Viola (0-1) of Rancho Cucamonga at 265; and Japan’s Yoko Takahashi (13-9) vs. an opponent to be announced at 150 pounds.
The SHOWTIME fights are scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds with the exception of Baszler-Tamai, which is slated for three, 3-minute rounds. The non-televised fights are scheduled for three, 3-minute rounds.

Fans can watch pre- and post-fight interviews only at ProElite.com. Fighter pages are below.

Hamman and Baszler tallied impressive victories Oct. 26, 2007, at Santa Ynez, Calif., on ShoXC. On the same show, Santana scored a 2:46, first-round submission (armbar) over Jaime Fletcher in a non-televised bout. Fletcher won an upset three-round split decision over Aaron Rosa on the March 21 ShoXC.

Team Unbreakable’s Hamman submitted Tito Ortiz's training partner, the aforementioned, previously unbeaten Rosa (rear naked choke), in the second round. Baszler rocked and socked her way to an impressive 0:44, first-round submission (arm bar) over Jennifer Tate.

“Jared keeps stopping everyone and was awesome against Rosa. Shayna exemplified once again that women do have a place in MMA,’’ Shaw said. “I can’t wait to see them both in action again.’’

Hamman has won all of his MMA fights by stoppage, an overwhelming number of them by TKO or KO. Despite going down early, he dominated Rosa with a series of body slams and ground strikes to position himself for the rear naked choke that Rosa tapped out to at 1:46 of the second round.
“That was definitely the biggest and most important win of my career,” said Hamman, a college football coach and former football star at Atascadero High who’s yet to have a fight enter the third round.

“It was very exciting. Fighting on SHOWTIME really added more pressure. But what’s cool is that all my players (at the University of Redlands) were able to see me fight and win.’’

Suganuma majored in computer science in college. After moving to Japan in late 2004, where he worked as a singer, ukulele player and English teacher, Suganuma became interested in wrestling.
An avid weight-lifter, the six-foot-two 26-year-old won a grappling competition and, then, after a month of MMA training, made his debut. He won his first five before suffering his lone defeat to Kestutis Arbocius in the finals of a King of Pancrease fight stopped due to cuts in the third round Aug. 27, 2006.
Suganuma returned shortly thereafter to Hilo, his hometown, to train with BJ Penn. He has gone 3-0 since, including a 3:05, first-round submission victory (armbar) over Bernard Ackah on Oct. 28, 2007.

HAMMAN-SUGANUMA HEADLINE STELLAR SHOXC: ELITE CHALLENGER SERIES FIGHT CARD – APRIL 5

Camoes, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under world champion Saulo Ribiero, will make his EliteXC, ShoXC and United States debut. The last time he fought, he defeated three opponents in one night, capped by a first-round submission (armbar) over the more experienced Jean Silva in the finals of the Super Challenge in Brazil on Oct. 7, 2006.

“I struggled for years in Brazil,’’ said Camoes, who cites “personal problems’’ for the layoff. “But I believe both my team and I will improve in America and I am ready for new challenges. I am very well prepared and my training has been excellent. The conditions are excellent in the United States.

“I look forward to showing that my game has evolved and fighting for ProElite and EliteXC on SHOWTIME is very exciting. I am anxious to fight. This is like a new beginning for me.’’

Camacho is coming off a second-round knockout over Thomas “Wildman” Denny on Jan. 24, 2008. The triumph over Denny was Camacho’s second in a row and extended his unbeaten streak to six (5-0-1).
The talented Baszler’s triumph over Tate was her third consecutive first-round victory.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it to go that quickly,” said Baszler, whose eight victories have all come by submission. “I slipped a punch, the take down was there and I took it. I did what I trained to do.’’
Tate came out swinging wild and ate a right hand to the chin. Baszler swooped in and took the fight to the floor, where she ended it seconds later with a slick armbar.
“I love fighting on SHOWTIME,’’ said Baszler, who also boasts a 2006 victory over Julie Kedzie (who fought Gina Carano on EliteXC’s history-making fight card Feb. 10, 2007, on SHOWTIME).
“I know all of my family and friends were watching last time and will do so again. I didn’t get a lot of airtime, but I am very happy with this win. I’ve fought the best and I am ready to fight anybody.”
Tamai, who is known for her flamboyant ring attire and personality, will look to regain her winning ways against Baszler. Tamai, who has fought tough opposition, defeated Jan Finney via a second-round submission (armbar) on Feb. 16, 2007.
Reis, a Brazilian Top Team black belt, will make his initial appearance on ShoXC. In his last start and EliteXC debut, the fast-rising featherweight impressively submitted (choke) former Division 1 wrestler Zach Machovsky at 1:15 in the second-round in a non-televised bout Jan. 25, 2008, at Atlantic City.
An accomplished wrester who turned pro in July 2007, Reis trains out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United in Jenkintown, Penn., under Lloyd Irvin black belt Jared Weiner.
Evans, who helped put the Anchorage-based Alaska Fighting Championship on the MMA map, has competed at 135 pounds but is looking forward to fighting at 140.
“It’ll feel really good to get back to my more-natural weight class and start being one of the bigger guys in the division again,” said Evans, who began his career with five consecutive victories. “I’m excited to fight for EliteXC where I plan on making my new home.’’

HAMMAN-SUGANUMA HEADLINE STELLAR SHOXC: ELITE CHALLENGER SERIES FIGHT CARD – APRIL 5
Santana, a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and five-time world champion, has won nine of his 10 starts by first-round submission, all by armbar, thus the nickname the “Arm Collector.’’
“I train very hard and am ready to fight the best,’’ said Santana, who went the distance in his pro debut. “There are a lot of good fighters in my division. I want to be a world champion.
“I'm glad to have signed with EliteXC. This is the kind of opportunity I have been waiting for.’’
Lucas, who started training MMA eight years ago, scored a 55-second, first-round submission (choke) over Rich Beecroft on Feb. 1, 2008. Lucas was victorious in his EliteXC debut in his start before last, winning a hard-fought unanimous decision over Jon Kirk on Nov. 10, 2007, at Corpus Christi, Tex.
Takahashi, a former Smack Girl titlist, has won two of her last three.
Fighter pages for televised bouts: Hamman (http://jaredhamman.proelite.com), Suganuma (http:/poaisuganuma.proelite.com), Camoes (http:/fabriciocamoes.proelite.com), Camacho (http:/joecamacho.proelite.com), Baszler (http://shaynabaszler.proelite.com), Tamai (http://keikotamai.proelite.com), Reis (http://wilsonreis.proelite.com), Evans (http://dougevans.proelite.com), Santana (http://givasantana.proelite.com), Lucas (http://mattlucas.proelite.com).
Fighter pages for non-televised bouts: Saumantafa (http://carlsaumantafa.proelite.com), Viola (http://armadeoviola.proelite.com), Pezzat (http://yasserpezzat.proelite.com), Shilling (http://joeshilling.proelite.com), Iracheta (http://jaime Iracheta.proelite.com), LaCroix (http://melanielacroix.proelite.com), Noland (http://KCNoland.proelite.com), Cooper (http://brentcooper.proelite.com), Sanders (http://tellysanders.proelite.com), Vargas (http://robertovargas.proelite.com), Takahashi (http://yokotakahashi.proelite.com). .
About ProElite, Inc.
ProElite Inc. [PELE.PK] delivers the most exciting entertainment experience in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with live arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Networks and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet. ProElite embraces MMA with the highest levels of honor, integrity, discipline and self-esteem all the while remaining inclusive for fighters, fans and schools. ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC, delivers spectacular live MMA fight events that showcase the world’s top fighters [elitexc.com]. ProElite’s interactive business, ProElite.com, capitalizes on the growing popularity of the sport of mixed martial arts by building a community of MMA enthusiasts. In addition to streaming the most exciting live fights to the web, ProElite expands the fan base of the sport by providing a comprehensive set of online social networking tools for fans, fighters and organizations. ProElite.com – Empowering the Fight Community TM

About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.