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“The Fight Expo” on tap March 21-22 in Del Mar

Dreams come true for 5 Make-A-Wish children


DEL MAR, California (February 25, 2009) -- A massive two-day Mixed Martial Arts and Extreme Sports extravaganza, “The Fight Expo,” is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the weekend of March 21-22, in Del Mar, California.

“The Fight Expo” is the first event of its kind, infusing MMA, Grappling, Pankration, and several Extreme Sports -- Motocross, Skateboarding, Harley Davidson Pulls and much more -- into one giant entertainment supershow. “The Fight Expo” has chosen The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego as its beneficiary with portions of proceeds from every ticket sold, charity auctions, and MMA seminars going to this worthwhile cause.
UFC announcer, Bruce Buffer, “The Voice of the Octagon,” has joined the team to create a very special event for five Make-A-Wish children suffering from life threatening illnesses, which will include the children being escorted around by American Gladiator and the World’s Most Famous Female Fighter, Gina Carano, as well as getting publicly introduced by Bruce Buffer as Honorary Fighters in the Cage. They will also have an opportunity to meet their favorite MMA Superstars from a group including Brandon Vera, Joe Stevenson, Jake Shields, Cung Le, TUF Season 8 finalist Vinny Magalhães, Eliot Marshall, the Tapout Crew (Punkass, Mask and Skrape), Dean Lister, and many more.
For Grappling and Pankration fans, “The Fight Expo” will host the 10th anniversary of Grapplers Quest Competition with 300 Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Divisions, plus two mega-Superfight Divisions to crown The World’s Best Submission Fighters, totaling $25,000 in prizes.

Bud Light presents the Pankration Team Battles on Saturday night (Mar. 21), pitting two military teams, 29 Palms vs. Camp Pendleton.

Greg Jackson, coach of UFC champions Georges St. Pierre and Rashad Evans, will be conducting the inaugural 100% Make-A-Wish Charity MMA Seminar on Sunday (Mar. 22) for MMA fighters and fans.

Other event highlights include G.I. Joe star and world famous model, Channing Tatum, and other stars from the upcoming Rogue Picture's film release, "Fighting," 100+ exhibits selling top MMA clothing, nutrition and health products; special area for women including the "Chic Boutique," which will have clothing, jewelry, massage therapists and an "elite" dating service; as well as the Grappling Hall of Fame award presentations by Grapplers Quest.

Proceeds from every ticket sale will benefit fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego.

For discount tickets and more information about “The Fight Expo,” go to http://www.TheFightExpo.com.

For more information on Grapplers Quest, go to: http://www.GrapplersQuest.com.
For Exhibit & Sponsorship opportunities, contact Ken Schmitz of SALESFISH, the marketing and sponsorship sales agency for “The Fight Expo” at kschmitz@salesfish.com.

$25,000 10th Anniversary Grapplers Quest Joins The Fight Expo, March 21-22 in Del Mar, CA

DEL MAR, Calif. (March 10, 2009) -- Recognizing the dedicated grappling fan base worldwide, “The Fight Expo,” the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA), grappling and extreme sports family-oriented supershow, announced today a landmark partnership with Grapplers Quest. Under the terms of the five-year deal, “The Fight Expo” will be the exclusive home of all Grapplers Quest Supershows, featuring $25,000 of more in prizes at each event starting with the first co-op event Saturday and Sunday, March 21t-22 in Del Mar, California.

On Saturday, March 21, starting at 2:00 PM, they will showcase a 16-Man No-Gi Superfight Absolute presented by Gameness, Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear, Bud Light and Grapplers Quest includes: Fabricio Werdum (UFC & Pride Veteran), Jeff Glover (21-Time Grapplers Quest Champion), Lucas Leite (BRASA, World Champion), Carlos "Sapao" Ban (Ralph Gracie), Vinicius “Pezao” Magalhães (TUF Season 8 Finalist), Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao), Bill "The Grill" Cooper (Paragon Jiu Jitsu), Roberto “Tussa” Comargo (Gracie Barra), Roberto "CYBORG" Abreu (Fight Sports), Leo Santos (Saulo Ribeiro JJ), Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra BH), Kevin Lutz (Marine Wrestling/NJMA), Cristiano ´Thite´ Lazzarini (Gracie Barra) and many more.

On Sunday, March 22, starting at 2:00 PM, The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Challenge presented by Gameness and Bud Light includes: Adriano Camolese (Godoi Jiu Jitsu Black Belt), Jeff "Pipelayer" Glover (Paragon Jiu Jitsu/Franjinha Black Belt), Nivaldo De Oliveira Lima (Leo Vieira/Check Mat), Bill "The Grill" Cooper (2005 Grapplers Quest All-Star Champion), Vinicius Magalhães (TUF Finalist), Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao, 3-Time World BJJ Champion), Carlos "Sapao" Ban (CBJJ Pan American & World Champion), Romulo Barral (Draculino/4-Time GQ Champ), Roberto "CYBORG" Abreu (2008 GQ Advanced Absolute Champion/Koral Team), Roberto “Tussa” Comargo (Gracie Barra Black Belt) , Lucas Leite (2007 GQ All-Star Pro Champion/Team KORAL), Asa Fuller

(Cleber Luciano Black Belt) and many more.

Under its founder and CEO, Brian Cimins, Grapplers Quest has become the leading grappling fight organization focused on delivering high-profile professional grappling superfight tournaments, the world’s largest amateur open events for all ages and skill levels; branded Grapplers Quest fight videos and DVDs, photos and products; a searchable database of over 32,000 qualified grappling academies; and news and forums. The partnership brings together Fight Expo’s all-encompassing MMA, Grappling and Extreme Sports Supershow with the leading ground fighting competition in Grapplers Quest.

“What Brian Cimins has built with Grapplers Quest over the past 10 years is remarkable and pioneering,” said Lori Andrews, Fight Expo producer. “This deal marks a significant milestone for Fight Expo as the Grapplers Quest brand is a necessary and natural fit for the rapid expansion of this supershow. Grapplers Quest is recognized the world over as the leader in the grappling world and we are proud to be associated with it. There is tremendous cross-over between submission grappling, MMA and of course other extreme sports like motocross, all of which is accessible and interactive at The Fight Expo. Grapplers Quest, together with The Fight Expo, can now show today’s MMA stars in their early grappling tournaments, as well as introduce fans to the stars of today and the future.”

Grapplers Quest, The World's Largest Ground Fighting Tournament celebrates its 10th Anniversary on March 21-22 at THE FIGHT EXPO, The World’s Largest MMA, Grappling and Extreme Sports Expo in Del Mar, California at The Del Mar Fairgrounds. Grapplers Quest will feature 300 No-Gi Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Divisions for Men, Women, Children, and Teens of All Ages and Skill Levels and amazingly $25,000 in Cash & Prize Packages.

Competitors can save up to $30 and get a Limited Edition Fighter T-Shirt when they pre-register online at: http://www.grapplers.com/store/midscreen.cfm

Spectators can save $25 on Weekend Passes, plus get to enjoy “The Fight Expo” at no additional cost, go to: http://www.grapplers.com/store/content. ... ype=ticket

Salesfish, the official sales and marketing, sponsorship agency of “The Fight Expo” will provide sponsorship of all Grapplers Quest event elements including competition medals, mats and banners; co-branding on Grapplers Quest product packaging; and redeveloping GrapplersQuest.com, including hosting of interactive forums connected with Grapplers Quest events and content. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities at “The Fight Expo” featuring Grapplers Quest, contact Ken Schmitz, Chief Marketing Officer of Salesfish at: kschmitz@salesfish.com

“In several short months, under Lori Andrews event leadership and the Salesfish brand marketing and sales agency, ‘The Fight Expo’ has become the leader in mixed martial arts, Grappling and Extreme Sports Supershows drawing MMA Superstars like Gina Carano, Diego Sanchez, Brandon Vera, Bruce Buffer, Joe Daddy Stevenson, and many more to support the first charity MMA event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego with $1 of every ticket sold, 80-percent of all charity auctions, and 100-percent of Greg Jackson’s MMA Seminar,” said Brian Cimins, founder and CEO of Grapplers Quest.

The first event of the 2009 FightExpo and Grapplers Quest season co-sponsored by Bud Light, Black Belt TV and Rogue Pictures is The 10th Anniversary Grapplers Quest Championships, Saturday, March 21 and 22 at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California featuring $25,000 in prizes, followed by The 15th Grapplers Quest Las Vegas Championships on Saturday, May 9th in Las Vegas, Nevada, then the Official 2009 U.S. National Grappling Championships, Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th in Morristown, New Jersey at the Mennen Arena, next the 2009 Southeast Grappling Championships, Saturday, August 8th in Coral Springs, Florida, followed by The 2009 Official North American Grappling Championships, Saturday, September 26th in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, next, The 2009 Official World Grappling Championships: USA vs. Japan, and finally closing out the 2009 season will be the 2nd installment of The Fight Expo and Grapplers Quest’s partnership on Saturday and Sunday, December 5th and 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information on all upcoming events, visit http://www.GrapplersQuest.com.

About The Grapplers Company, Inc. (http://www.GrapplersQuest.com)

The Grapplers Company, Inc. is a multi-faceted live event and video production company that serves the submission grappling and mixed martial arts fight community through its renowned Grapplers Quest® and SportFighting brand names. Under the leadership of its founder and CEO, Brian Cimins, Grapplers Quest events have officially become known as the largest submission grappling tournament in the world -- hosting 86 top tournaments for nearly 120,000 competitors, fans and coaches since 1999. Grapplers Quest live events are also distributed on DVD distributed worldwide through many retailers including Best Buy, Blockbuster Video, and Barnes and Noble. Fans and fighters can also visit http://www.GrapplersQuest.com to connect with fighter and tournament news, video, photos and interactive forums. The Grapplers Company, Inc. is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. Competitors can save up to $30 and get a Limited Edition Fighter T-Shirt when they pre-register online at: http://www.grapplers.com/store/midscreen.cfm - Spectators can save $25 on Weekend Passes, plus get to enjoy The Fight Expo at no additional cost, go to: http://www.grapplers.com/store/content. ... ype=ticket

About The Fight Expo (http://www.TheFightExpo.com)

The Fight Expo, Inc. is the first event of its kind, infusing MMA, Grappling, Pankration, and several Extreme Sports -- Motocross, Skateboarding, Harley Davidson Pulls and much more -- into one giant entertainment supershow. The Fight Expo has chosen The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego as its beneficiary with $1 of all ticket sales, 80-percent of charity auctions, and 100-percent of MMA seminars going to this worthwhile cause. UFC announcer, Bruce Buffer, “The Voice of the Octagon,” has joined the team to create a very special event for five Make-A-Wish children suffering from life threatening illnesses, which will include the children being escorted around by American Gladiator and the World’s Most Famous Female Fighter, Gina Carano, as well as getting publicly introduced by Bruce Buffer as Honorary Fighters in the Cage. They will also have an opportunity to meet their favorite MMA Superstars from a group including Brandon Vera, Joe Stevenson, Jake Shields, Cung Le, TUF Season 8 finalist Vinny Magalhães, Eliot Marshall, the Tapout Crew (Punkass, Mask and Skrape), Dean Lister, and many more. For Grappling and Pankration fans, “The Fight Expo” will host the 10th anniversary of Grapplers Quest Competition with 300 Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Divisions, plus two mega-Superfight Divisions to crown The World’s Best Submission Fighters, totaling $25,000 in prizes. Bud Light presents the Pankration Team Battles on Saturday night (Mar. 21), pitting two military teams, 29 Palms vs. Camp Pendleton. For discount tickets, visit: http://www.TheFightExpo.com

Fight Expo Draws MMA’s Biggest Superstars for Charity Event

DEL MAR, Calif. (March 16, 2009) – “The Fight Expo,” the World’s Largest MMA,
Extreme Sports and Grappling Supershow, is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday,
March 21 and 22 at The Del Mar Fairgrounds, located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.,
in Del Mar, California. Attendees should bring their cameras and autograph books
because “The Fight Expo” will be packed with many favorite Mixed Martial Arts
Superstars and Hollywood’s elite.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, MMA Superstars and movie stars supporting theMake-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, special invitees and “The Fight Expo’s” charity fundraising efforts include American Gladiator star Gina “Conviction” Carano, recognized as the No. 1ranked female MMA fighter in the world; Bob “The Beast” Sapp, Pride and K-1 MMA fighting veteran; The Ultimate Fighter, Season 1 Champion and top UFC lightweight contender, Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez; UFC veteran Brandon “The Truth” Vera; MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie; The Ultimate Fighter, Season 2 winner Joe “Daddy” Stevenson; UFC ring announcer and Make-A-Wish charity host, Bruce Buffer; UFC and EliteXC veteran David “Tank” Abbott; UFC and Pride veteran Renato “Babalu” Sobral; Greg Jackson (conducting a 100-percent Charity MMA Seminar on Sunday, Mar. 22 from 9-11 AM), Grapplers Quest and ADCC World champion, and world-famous coach of UFC champions Rashad Evans and Georges St. Pierre; The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 finalist Dean Lister; Vinicius “Pezao” Magalhaes (competing in Grapplers Quest Pro Divisions both days); UFC heavyweight contender and ADCC World Champion Fabricio Werdum (competing in Grapplers Quest No-Gi Pro on Saturday, Mar. 21); UFC and Pride veteran Kimo Leopoldo, and many more MMA superstars.


“The Fight Expo” sponsor, Rogue Pictures’ due to be released Fighting Movie, brings
international movie star and supermodel, Channing Tatum (star of “G.I. Joe”), as well as co-star and EliteXC middleweight champion, Cung Le, and E! Entertainment will be on hand to cover Channing’s experience at “The Fight Expo.”

SAVE $15 OFF TICKETS by going now to http://tinyurl.com/fightexpodiscount.


Grapplers Quest -- The World’s Largest Grappling Competition, featuring 300 amateur
Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu divisions and $25,000 in prizes sponsored by Bud Light, Black Belt TV and Silverstar expects more than 1,000 competitors over the weekend. Competitors can pre-register online and save up to $30 and get a free t-shirt at: http://www.grapplers.com/store/midscreen.cfm or at-the-door.

“The Fight Expo” 2009 Grappling and Jiu Jitsu Hall of Fame awards presentation is Saturday, Mar. 21 at 7:30 PM in the Wyland Building at The Del Mar Fairgrounds. Its inaugural Class of 2009 includes Brandon "The Truth" Vera, Greg Jackson, Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez, Joe "Daddy" Stevenson, Saulo Ribeiro, Rafael Lovato, Jr., and
Gazzy Parman. Come and celebrate with the grappling world’s elite.

On Saturday, Mar. 21, Grapplers Quest is hosting a 16-Man Submission Grappling
Tournament with $2,500 in cash prizes to determine The World’s Best Grappler including Fabricio Werdum, Romulo Barral, Vinicius Magalhaes, Bill Cooper, Bruno Bastos, Jeff Glover, Roberto “Cyborg” Abreau, Leo Santos, Lucas Leite and many more.


On Sunday, Mar. 22, also starting at 1:30 PM, Gameness presents the $2,500 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Challenge featuring World Champion Rafael Lovato, Jr., Roberto
“Tussa” Comargo, Bill “The Grill” Cooper, Carlos "Sapao" Ban, Rodrigo Cavaca, Jeff
"Pipelayer" Glover, Adriano Camolese, Nivaldo De Oliveira Lima and many more.

SAVE $15 OFF TICKETS by going now to http://tinyurl.com/fightexpodiscount.


Greg Jackson will be conducting a 100-percent Charity MMA Seminar on Sunday, Mar. 22
from 9-11 AM in the Wyland Building. Only 20 spots remain - register today at
http://www.grapplers.com/store/descript ... F150A769AC



For sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, please contact Ken Schmitz of Salesfish
at kschmitz@salesfish.com or call 800-507-5520. Space and booth space is extremely limited, so call as soon as possible to get the greatest exposure possible in the MMA and Extreme Sports target demographic.


For more general information about “The Fight Expo” and 10th Anniversary
Grapplers Quest Competition, go to: http://www.GrapplersQuest.com.