ProElite MMA Returns Live on HDNet at Neal Blaisdell Center Honolulu, Hawaii – January 21, 2012
December 09 2011 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
ProElite (PK:PELE) makes its return to the MMA-centric islands
of Hawaii, featuring a fight card loaded with world class talent on
January 21, 2012 at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main
event matches Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove against Ikuhisa
“The PUNK” Minowa, and includes the semifinals of the ProElite
Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Tickets for “ProElite: Da Spyder vs The PUNK” will be on
sale soon to the general public at the Blaisdell Center box office,
all Ticketmaster locations (800)745-3000, Ticketmaster online
(www.ticketmaster.com) and www.ProElite.com. The ProElite event, a
wholly-owned property of Stratus Media Group
(www.stratusmediagroup.com), will be televised live on HDNet at 10
P.M. EST
Hawaii native Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (13-9) returns to the
ProElite cage to take on international fan favorite Ikuhisa “The
PUNK” Minowa (51-32-8) of Nagoya, Japan. The 6-foot-6 Grove had an
impressive showing on ProElite’s last card in Hawaii (August 27,
2011) where he choked out tough MMA veteran Joe “Diesel” Riggs with
a guillotine choke at just :59 seconds of the first round.
With 35 of his 51 wins coming by way of submission, Japanese
fight icon Minowa is one of the most well known and recognizable
fighters on the international circuit today. He has competed in
PrideFC and Dream, where he defeated three MMA giants including Bob
Sapp (Achilles Lock), Hong Man Choi (Heel Hook), and Sokoudjou
(TKO) to capture the Dream Super Hulk (Openweight) Grand Prix
title. The January 21 fight will mark Minowa’s ProElite and North
American debut.
The Honolulu Card also features the first semifinal match of the
Heavyweight Grand Prix, and showcases the very tough Ryan
Martinez (6-1) taking on headhunter Cody Griffin
(5-2).
In his ProElite debut, Martinez handed 2009 NCAA Heavyweight
wrestling champion Mark Ellis his first MMA defeat by unanimous
decision in the first stage of the Grand Prix on November 5, 2011.
Known for his go for broke fighting style, the 5-foot-11 Martinez
hails from Greenley, Colorado where he trains out of Infinite MMA.
Griffin, a true comeback kid, brings an explosive style to the
match. Between the two fighters only 3 out of their 14 total fights
have gone to decision.
The opposite bracket features the heavy hitting Jake “The
Honey Bear” Heun (2-1) against the biggest physical competitor
in the tournament at 6-foot-5, Richard “The Black Eagle”
Odoms (6-0).
Heun looks to continue his rise to prominence after training
with Chris “The Crippler” Leben during his time as a Linebacker at
the University of Hawaii and is now refining his technique in Utah
under the guidance of MMA pioneer Jeremy “Gumby” Horn. Heun has
become a dangerous opponent for any fighter entering the cage with
him.
Richard Odoms, an imposing 6-foot-5 and weighing in at the
heavyweight limit of 265 pounds, is truly a giant in the cage. The
San Antonio, Texas police officer dominated his November 5 fight
against Rod Housley and won a clear cut unanimous decision to
advance into the Honolulu semifinals.
ABOUT PROELITE
Founded in 2006, Proelite has been a major global force in the
world of mixed martial arts (MMA). ProElite, based in Los Angeles,
California, continues its legacy to hold key domestic and
international live MMA events. The company owns U.K. based MMA
brand Cage Rage and is a significant stakeholder in Spirit MC in
South Korea. ProElite signed a broadcast deal with HD NET in
October 2011 to broadcast fights live in the highest quality video
for consumers and fans. ProElite also holds the distinction of
having produced one of the two highest-rated televised broadcasts
of a live major network MMA event.
www.proelite.com
ABOUT STRATUS
Headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, with offices in Los Angeles,
California; New York City, NY; Geneva, Switzerland; and Perugia,
Italy, Stratus Media Group, Inc. (SMDI) is an owner, operator,
developer, producer, and marketer of live entertainment events. In
addition, the company owns Stratus White, a new standard in
personal lifestyle and card services for the global affluent.
Available by invitation only, Stratus White is a discreet, elite
member & partner community providing exclusive and unparalleled
service and access across the luxury product & travel, social,
sporting, cultural and philanthropic areas of life, including
events and experiences.
www.stratusmediagroup.com
www.stratuswhite.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release relating to plans, strategies,
projections of results, and other statements that are not
descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 and the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934. Forward-looking
information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and
actual results could differ materially from those currently
anticipated due to a number of factors. Although the company's
management believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee
future results, performance or achievements. The company has no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.