VANCOUVER, BC – Mixed Martial Arts Expo, LLC - The Original MMA Expo since 2005 – announced today some of the key features of the upcoming event at the TRADEX Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford, BC on April 10-11.
Between the Submission Grappling Tournaments, show floor demonstrations, exhibitors with MMA apparel, gear and nutrition, the MMA Referee and Judging Clinic, accredited conditioning seminars by Fitness Kickboxing Canada, the MMA Expo Hotties and the growing list of MMA Celebrities, it would appear that MMA Expo founder and president, Gerald Chopik is bang-on when he says “BC’s MMA fans are in for one action-packed MMA weekend!”
The MMA Expo celebrity line-up starts with former UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk (37-4-1) and King of the Cage Champion Shonie Carter (48-21-7). “Sean and Shonie have attended a number of our events in Toronto and Philadelphia and these guys are always huge hits with the fans.” stated Chopik. “We also like to showcase local talent in each city and also on site for the weekend will be UFC Veterans Bill 'The Butcher' Mahood (17-7-1), and Jason "Dooms" Day (18-9-0), Dream Featherweight Champion Bibiano "Flash" Fernandez (7-2-0) and fan favourite "Ragin" Kajan Johnston (17-11-1).”
Also on the list are Thiago ‘Jambo' Goncalves (11-3-0) from Team Nogueira as well as Vancouver resident and Seventh Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Marcus Soares – one of the highest ranking BJJ Black Belts in Canada, one of the top in North America and a past Head Instructor at the Carlson Gracie Academy, Brazil. And apparently there are more to be announced over the next two weeks.
Chopik has not overlooked the up-and-coming female fighters of the sport. Included in the line-up are Strikeforce’s Miesha “TkDwN" Tate (8-2-0) and Liz Bader (6-3-1). “I’m a huge fan of female fighters and we are working on a few more additions to our roster that we hope to be able to announce over the next two weeks. Female competitors train and fight every bit as hard as the guys and their growing celebrity status is well deserved. ”
MMA Expo is also proud to bring to the west coast the host of Canada’s number one MMA program, MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet. “One of our biggest supporters from Day 1 of MMA Expo has been ‘Showdown Joe’ Ferraro”, said Chopik. “Joe is a one of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken individuals in the sport, period. Far beyond somebody behind a microphone asking the same-old questions, Joe can handle himself inside the cage as well. He knows his striking and also has the skills to take care of himself on the ground. Showdown is one of the pioneers and true ambassadors of MMA in Canada. He and his MMA Connected Team always do a great job of covering the event and hanging out with the fans.”
Some of the best action on the MMA Expo show floor takes place during the submission grappling tournaments.
“Canada has a lot of talented submission grapplers in both the BJJ and NoGi divisions”, according to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and tournament coordinator, Tim Shears. “MMA Expo represents a great opportunity for west-coast grapplers to showcase their talents. We’re also excited about the opportunity for our open division champions to win free airfare and registration to the Gi and NoGi Abu Dhabi Championships being held at MMA Expo Toronto in June. Competition will be fierce and it going to make for two great days on the mats. If you are a grappling competitor this is the one event that you do not want to miss.”
MMA Expo seems to have just about everything for the MMA fighter and fan, including the potential for career opportunities. Seasoned MMA official, Marc Fennell will be on hand with a comprehensive two-day Referee and Judging Seminar for those who are interested in a career as an official in what many consider to be the fastest growing sport on the planet.
For more information about MMA Expo visit www.MixedMartialArtsExpo.com and select Vancouver.
No comments:
Post a Comment