FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED AND TICKETS ON SALE NOW: FRANK SHAMROCK vs. RENZO GRACIE EliteXC "DESTINY"
Legendary Fighters Headline Spectacular Fight Card
Feb. 10 at DeSoto County Civic Center in Southaven, MS
On SHOWTIME 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
LOS ANGELES (January 5, 2007) � Pro Elite (PELE.PK) announced the fight card for its first live EliteXCTM mixed martial arts (MMA) event featuring legendary middleweight Frank Shamrock versus Renzo Gracie of the first family of Brazilian Jujitsu as they make history on February 10, 2007 (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Tickets are on sale now at the DeSoto Civic Center Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets, it was announced today by EliteXC President, Gary Shaw.
The main event of Shamrock vs. Gracie will be televised live on the leading premium television network SHOWTIME along with four undercard bouts including world-class fighters Antonio Silva, David Loiseau, Joey Villasenor, the next female MMA star, Gina Carano, and more. Additional undercard fights will be streamed live beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) at EliteXC.com, a growing Internet destination for the MMA community.
"Because I promote boxing matches across the country, I know fans love a great fight. That is what Shamrock and Gracie will deliver," said Shaw. "Shamrock and Gracie are royalty in this sport and this is a match-up that is long overdue. I am certain these athletes are primed for combat, and having these two leaders in the world of Mixed Martial Arts go to battle against each other on February 10th is truly Destiny."
Shaw is the well-known event promoter who enters the world of Mixed Martial Arts for the first time with this fight. Shaw brings a high level of professionalism, great match-ups and years of promotional experience to the sport.
Shamrock, 34, of San Jose, Calif., has been looking for the right opportunity to make a noteworthy return to the sport. The five-time defending middleweight champion semi-retired from competition after defeating Tito Ortiz by submission in 1999 and has returned for just three fights since.
"Renzo is the Gracie I respect most. He is the Gracie I have always wanted to fight and come Feb. 10th, it will be our moment," said Shamrock. "I always want to fight tough opponents. I want to fight guys who think they are tougher then me, so we can prove who the best in the world is."
Gracie, who was recently featured on CBS's 60 Minutes, is coming off a win over Carlos Newton in an IFL super fight last December. Gracie, originally from Rio de Janeiro now teaches and trains in New York City.
"It is a great pleasure for me to be part of such a great and history-making event," said Gracie. "When EliteXC told me the whole plan for this organization and for this event, I could not decline. It is a great honor to be fighting Frank. I was afraid he was going to wait until I was too old to beat him."
"We're excited to be in this market where Southern hospitality reigns - but not in the cage", said Shaw.
For more information, please visit EliteXC.com.
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