HDNet Fights Announces Continued Partnership with Ring of Combat.
HDNet Fights Presents: Ring of Combat XVIII – live on March 7
DALLAS (February 14, 2008) – HDNet Fights announced today that it is partnering with Ring of Combat for its March event. HDNet Fights Presents: Ring of Combat XVIII will be in Atlantic City, N.J. on March 7, 2008 at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The event will air LIVE on HDNet.
Andrew Simon, HDNet Fights CEO, said the alliance emphasizes the company’s objectives for this year.
“This partnership reinforces our goal to partner with regional promotions to identify up and coming MMA talent,” he said. “It also strengthens our commitment to fans to provide 24 live events in 2008.”
The main event of the evening will be a highly-anticipated match up of light heavyweights Krzysztof Soszynski (15-9-1) and Alex Andrade (12-3-1).
Soszynski’s latest fight was a victory over Robert Villegas at HDNet Fights Reckless Abandon.
The last time Andrade competed, he scored a TKO over Fabiano Capoani on HDNet last September. Andrade spent some time away from fighting, but since his return, has crafted a 3-0 record. Prior to his hiatus, he competed in Pride and was a World Pancration Super-Fight Champion.
HDNet Fights Presents: Ring of Combat XVIII will be the first meeting between Andrade and Soszynski.
“I’m fighting a very tough opponent in Alex Andrade – I’ve been training already for three weeks,” Soszynski said. “I’m feeling fantastic.”
Soszynski said he’s excited about his first fight with Ring of Combat on HDNet, and hyped about letting the leather fly in front of the fans in Atlantic City. It will be a cross-country journey for the Team Quest member, who currently trains in Temecula, Calif.
“I know the fans are great out there,” he said. “I’m looking forward to putting on a great show.”
The Ring of Combat Lightweight Championship will be an anxiously awaited re-match between two Ring of Combat XVII fighters. Submission specialist Jim Miller, with only one career loss, takes on Chris Liguori. Their previous fight went the way of Miller, who scored a second round TKO victory over Liguori.
The event will feature 10 of the Northeast’s finest matches. Also, a USKBA bout will set Nick Catone versus Lance Everson.
In addition, MMA fans around the world can witness the next generation of the Gracie fighting family. Gregor Gracie and Igor Gracie will both compete in separate welterweight matches.
About HDNet Fights
HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com) is one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA organizations in the country. Founded by Mark Cuban, HDNet Fights promotes, produces and airs over 24 live MMA events annually for broadcast on HDNet. HDNet Fights is unique as a unifying force in the MMA industry partnering with leading promoters, including M1, Sportfight, IFL, Ring of Combat and others to offer the quality match-ups and productions that MMA fans demand.
Founded in 2007, HDNet Fights is led by CEO Andrew Simon while company operations are handled by Dallas MMA legend and former UFC champion, Guy Mezger.
HDNet (www.hd.net) is the home for HDNet Fights and is the leader in offering live MMA broadcasts and the leading news and information show for MMA fans, “Inside MMA”.
In addition, HDNet provides viewers with the best in original news, sports, music and entertainment programming. From “Dan Rather Reports”, to championship sports coverage from the NHL, NASCAR and Major League Soccer to “Guys Night In” every Friday and the HDNet Concert Series every Sunday, HDNet offers great programming with the world’s best picture quality.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager and COO Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.
About Ring of Combat
The Ring of Combat (ROC) was created by promoter Lou Neglia and has held many of the most action packed Mixed Martial Arts events that the Northeast has seen and is moving up to the next level of competition.
Ring of Combat is a true breeding ground for great MMA fighters. Many ROC fighters have gone on to compete at the top levels of mixed martial arts. Veterans include Matt Serra, Josh Kosheck, Frank Edgar, Peter “Drago” Sell, Kurt Pelligrino, Nick Serra and others.