FORMER UFC STAR PEDRO RIZZO
SET TO HEADLINE ART OF WAR PREMIER
MARCH 9th…AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
(Release also attached)
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Dallas, Texas — Former UFC star and Brazilian Jui Jitsu legend, Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo, is set to challenge former UFC Heavyweight Contender, Justin “The Hammer” Eilers, in the main event when ART OF WAR, Undisputed Arena Fighting Championships premiers at Dallas’ American Airlines Center on Friday, March 9th.
Rizzo (14-7…Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) and Eilers (14-5-1…Boise, Idaho) are set to battle for the newly formed IFA (International Fighters Association) World Heavyweight Championship. Their championship bout will be one of ten (10) exciting Mixed Martial Arts fights on the card that will feature eleven Americans and nine International fighters.
ART OF WAR, set for the circle cage beginning at 7:30 p.m., is being promoted by the Sun Production Group (Dallas, TX).
Texas MMA legend, Carlos Prater (19-4-1) will take on undefeated Russian champion, Dennis Levenski (15-0) in the featured undercard bout. Dallas’ Alex Andrade (4-3), a UFC and Pride veteran, will be squaring off with European MMA champion, Klas Akesson (3-1).
Other fighters of note on the card include: Matt Grice (3-0, Oklahoma Sooner wrestling legend), Buddy Clinton (7-2, MMA title holder), Justin Wren (4-0, Dallas Jesuit and Iowa State wrestling star), Alonzo Martinez (15-8, Dallas) and Travis Bush (1-1, Texas amateur MMA champion).
Making a special appearance as Ring Announcer for ART OF WAR will be the “Voice of MMA,” Bruce Buffer.
Tickets for ART OF WAR are priced at $300, $100, $75, $50 and $30 and go on sale at the American Airlines Center box office and all TicketMaster outlets, including www.ticketmaster.com, on Saturday, January 20th.
All seating will be on the lower two levels of the American Airlines Center, providing fans with the best seating possible. The third level will not be opened unless necessary.
The $300 Platinum VIP ticket includes: VIP Cage-side seating in the first 5 rows, Platinum Parking and a VIP Pre-Fight Reception at the AAC.
ART OF WAR advisor/match matchmaker, Guy Mezger, is confident that Dallas – Fort Worth MMA fight fans are in for a special night at the American Airlines Center. “There’s no question this is the biggest MMA event in Texas – ever,” declared Metzger, the former UFC tournament Champion and fighting legend from Dallas.
“It is truly the first International fight card in Dallas. We have a lot of very good fighters from the United States and some of the best from Europe and Asia. It’s going to be an exciting night for all MMA fans in the Dallas area.”
For Rizzo, the fight with Eilers is an opportunity to get back into the MMA spotlight. “I’m looking forward to coming to Dallas and fighting a very tough Justin Eilers,” said the former UFC Heavyweight contender from his home in Brazil. “I’m looking to make a statement that I am back and ready to take on any heavyweight in the world, but know I first have to get past Eilers.”
Eilers, a former Iowa State football star, is set to make his own statement against Rizzo. “This is a huge fight for me – fighting a great fighter like Rizzo.” said Eilers, who fights out of the Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, Iowa.
After losing in his bid for the UFC World Heavyweight Championship in UFC 53 and a non-title fight in UFC 57, Eilers has won seven straight bouts. “I’m definitely a better fighter now than when I was in the UFC and am ready to show everyone I’m one of the best heavyweights in the World,” pointed out the confident Eilers.
ART OF WAR will be the first of several planned events for Sun Production Group. according to Sun CEO, C.J. Comu. “Sun is look forward to becoming a major player in the MMA business,” said Comu. “I believe this March 9th event in Dallas is proof that we are serious about producing quality events. We have a great team, ready to produce some of the best events in the MMA sports industry.”