Lashley-Sapp headlines “Ultimate Chaos”
MMA PPV June 27in Biloxi, MS
BILOXI, Miss. (May 4, 2009) – The cage may have to be reinforced for the “Ultimate Chaos” headliner as former WWE star Bobby Lashley and mixed-martial-arts legend Bob “The Beast” Sapp battle June 27 on a special pay-per-view event live from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The chiseled 6-3, 265-pound Lashley (2-0), 3-time NCAA champion (1996-98) and 4-time All-America wrestler at Missouri Valley College, takes on the 6-4, 350-pound Sapp (10-3-1), who played in the NFL for four years before becoming an iconic combat fighter in Japan.
“Ultimate Chaos,” presented by Prize Fight Promotions and Fight Force International, in association with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum, Treasure Bay Casino and Budweiser, is being produced and distributed by Gotham MMA and Integrated Sports at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in the United States on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN and DirecTV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
“There is a huge MMA fan base down here on the coast and this card speaks for itself,” co-promoter Ricky Derouen (Chairman of the Board, Fight Force International) said. “I’m very proud to have this event in my hometown. That really means a lot to me. Just to give an idea of the hype surrounding this event, the tickets go on sale May 8th. We have 1,300 floor seats available and 1,100 of those are already gone. The tickets aren’t even for sale, yet, so that’s a good thing.”
After graduating from Missouri Valley College, Lashley joined the U.S. Army and was a 2-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Military Games Championship silver medalist. Two years ago, Lashley became a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar, joining Donald Trump at Wrestlemania 23 in a bet against WWE president
Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave McMahon’s head in the ring. Bobby made his MMA debut last December 13, stopping Joshua Franklin only 0.41 into the opening round, and March 21 he won a 3-round decision versus 37-fight veteran Jason Guida in Pensacola (FL).
Sapp starred as an offensive lineman on the University of Washington’s football team, winning the prestigious Morris Award, and he was selected in the third round of the NFL
draft in 1997 by the Chicago Bears. Bob turned to pro wrestling after football and was later recruited by Pride in Japan, where his incredible size, strength and bull-rush style made him an instant fan favorite. He went on to star in K-1 as well as become an actor, playing roles in movies like The Longest Yard and Elektra.
In the co-feature, controversial Dutch heavyweight Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel faces Brazilian striker, Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-8-0), former UFC heavyweight title challenger.
Lightweight Din “Dinyero” Thomas (24-8-0), star of The Ultimate Fighter 4, meets former KOTC and Gladiator Challenge champion Javier “Showtime” Vasquez, while hot Canadian lightweight prospect Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (12-1-0) tangles with dangerous William “The Bull” Sriyapai (12-4-0).
Also fighting on the card, welterweights Brett Cooper (8-4-0) and Waachiim “Native Warrior” Spirit Wolf (5-4) throw-down against each other, Affliction vice president Tom Atencio (1-0) moves from the office to the cage against Randy Hedderick, middleweights James Oros (3-2-0) and Colby McMahan (1-0-0) also square-off.
Tickets are priced at $25.00 (limited discount seating), $40.00 (general admission) and $55.00 (premium reserved seating) and go on sale May 8 (8 AM/CT) at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and all TicketMaster outlets.
For more information go to http://www.theultimatechaos.com, http://www.fightforce.org or http://www.mscoastcoliseum.com. Doors open at 5PM/CT, first fight 6 PM/CT, and the first PPV fight is at 8 PM/CT.
PRESSER QUOTES
Bobby Lashley - “I’m going to try and be good this time. Let’s be honest, this fight is going to be a train wreck. It’s two guys going out there to bang and it’s not going to take three rounds to do it, either; one maybe two. The fans are going to get what they want and June 27th Bob Sapp is going to get beat!”
Bob Sapp- “My opponent, as you can see, is a big boy. He’s big and strong, but he’s yet to be tested. I’m here to give him his test and I’m here to let you know it is going to be an F.”
Tom Atencio- “I want to thank Prize Fight as well as Fight Force for putting on this card. I’ve been seen in front of the cameras before as far as the business side, but it’s time to fight. I’m doing something Dana White won’t do and that’s fight. He talks like a fighter, so why doesn’t he fight? I’m stepping up to the plate and win, lose or draw I attempted it. I don’t ever think he would fight.”
Randy Hedderick- “I would like to thank Tom for this opportunity. This is very huge for me. I’m expecting a war and I’ll see everybody on June 27th.”
