R1iz1

The Couture Collection

2010-08-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

MMAClassics Presents Randy Couture’s Ultimate MMA DVD Collection at Couture DVDs.com

Venice, CA (PRWEB) August 23, 2010

MMAClassics, your source for exclusive and rare MMA content is pleased to announce the launch its new website CoutureDVDs.com. Dedicated to the many fans of America’s Ultimate Athlete, MMAClassics proudly presents the ‘Couture Collection’, a DVD set that includes five of its top selling MMA titles. All DVD titles exclusively feature MMA legend, Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture, co-star of last weekend’s top grossing Hollywood action film ‘The Expendables’ with Sylvester Stallone.

For the MMA newbie to the most rabid Randy supporter, the ‘Couture Collection’ will take you deep into the world of the America’s favorite martial artist. With over six intense hours of vintage MMA footage, featuring classic fights, an award winning documentary, technical combat instruction and a historical submission wrestling match this DVD set is a must have for any true MMA fan!

The ‘Couture Collection’ includes the following MMA DVD titles:

‘FIGHTER, a documentary’

‘Who’s Still Standing”

‘X-Training with Randy Couture’ Vol 1

‘X-Training with Randy Couture’ Vol 2

‘X-Mission’ Couture vs Jacare

Go inside the locker room with amazing up close and personal behind the scenes access to Randy along with a plethora of MMA superstars. From hard hitting training sessions to back stage antics these DVD's make you feel as if you a part of the UFC legends fight entourage.

To check out all of the ‘Couture Collection’ DVD trailers please go to CoutureDVDs.com.

Also included with your purchase of the ‘Couture Collection' is a 'FIGHTER' movie poster from the films' theatrical premiere at World Famous Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA.

Available exclusively from MMAClassics at CoutureDVDs.com

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Dan Gable

2010-04-19T14:50:00.001-07:00

"After this match Gable rededicated himself to become a World and Olympic freestyle wrestling champion, revenging his loss to Owings at the US Olympic trials. In 1976, after competitive life, Gable became head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa.

At Iowa, he formed a dynasty matched by none. From 1978 to 1986, the Hawkeyes won the NCAA title each year, a record nine in succession. Gable continued to coach the team until sabbatical after the 1997 season. His record in dual meets of 355-21-5 which included 15 NCAA titles and 21 straight Big Ten titles put Gable and Iowa on Sports Illustrated's 'Top 20 Sports Dynasties of the 20th Century'."

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Wrestling Controversy

2008-08-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Beijing (AP) - The Olympic wrestling mat is red, yellow and blue, dynamic colors designed to give the athletes a vivid backdrop for their talents. It's that gray area outside the wrestling circle that discolors what its governing body proudly calls the world's oldest sport.

Some in the sport say it's one of the shadiest, too.

Backroom politicking, bribery, corruption, outlandish officiating, even threats of violence are routinely alleged in a sport that is little followed in most countries but, when noticed, seems to have as many bizarre story lines as WWE-style entertainment wrestling.

And when it happens at the Olympics, many unfamiliar with the sport are left wondering what in the world goes on in wrestling.

The most recent allegations came Thursday, when livid Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian walked off the medals podium and dropped his unwanted bronze medal for Greco-Roman 84 kilograms on the mat. Abrahamian blew up when a disputed penalty call wound up deciding his semifinal match against Italian Andrea Minguzzi, who went on to win the gold medal.

"I think the semifinals shows that FILA does not play fair," Abrahamian said, referring to wrestling's international governing body. "I don't deserve to lose. The system is corrupt."

His coach, Leo Myllar, was equally displeased, saying, "It's all politics, and it's all corrupt."

The International Olympic Committee is investigating, but only to determine if there should be disciplinary action against Abrahamian for his medal-stand exit.

What makes Swedish officials especially leery of this latest loss is that one of FILA's top vice presidents is Italian, and Minguzzi did nothing internationally - his average finish in five world-level championships was 27th - until he suddenly won his country's first Olympic wrestling gold in 20 years.

In Athens, Abrahamian lost a similarly disputed decision to Russia's Aleksey Mishin, who won gold there but was upset by Minguzzi in Beijing, as was Abrahamian. After losing in Athens, Abrahamian wrote on his Web site, "The score was 1-1, and that means losing, in case you meet a Russian."

Abrahamian's 2004 loss was one reason former FILA board member Pelle Svensson of Sweden resigned, but only after he unsuccessfully attempted to institute measures to begin cleaning up the sport.

What is certain is if there is an Olympics, there will be allegations of misdeeds.

Svensson, a retired judge, complained Thursday during an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he was threatened - he wouldn't say by whom - following a post-Athens argument that left a Russian wrestling executive with a torn shirt.

In Atlanta, Iranian officials went ballistic after American Kurt Angle won a gold medal in a close, disputed match on his home mat. In Sydney, there were numerous quirky calls. In Athens, Olympic champion Buvaisar Saitiev of Russia and Belarus' Murad Gaidarov fought as they left the mat, so unhappy was Gaidarov at the officiating.

Americans aren't immune to FILA-related disputes, either. In the 2003 world freestyle championships - in New York, no less - Eric Guerrero was forcibly removed from the mat when he refused to leave after losing a disputed decision. Heavyweight Daniel Cormier, who is wrestling in Beijing, chased an Iranian wrestler around the mat and refused to shake the referee's hand when he lost.

And does this sound familiar? In Sydney, American Sammie Henson was so distraught at losing a gold medal he felt was stripped by a terrible call that he tossed his silver medal down a hallway.

The low-scoring sport's most visible problem is that many officiating calls are subjective and subtle moves and tiebreakers often decide winner and loser. A replay system allows a judge to review a referee's call, but there is no clear-cut rule when it should be used. It wasn't in Abrahamian's match.

In Beijing, it's obvious who runs amateur wrestling's big show.

FILA board members and executives sit in plush chairs beside huge displays of flowers a few feet off the mat, immediately behind the mat chairman and judge, and routinely talk among themselves.

Wrestling executives from other countries often stop by to talk, even as matches are going on, and mat giant Russia's higher-ups seem to be everywhere.

When FILA executive give their rare interviews, they merely praise the sport's virtues and refuse to be drawn into any discussion about alleged problems.

In Beijing, there are five more days of wrestling to go, and that means plenty of time for more controversy to erupt. And many who feel wronged probably won't be comforted by all those $100 displays of cut flowers toted matside every day.

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2008-08-08T13:07:00.001-07:00

U.S. wrestler Dremiel Byers (right) gets up to some horseplay on the Great Wall with American legend Rulon Gardner.
John W. McDonough

BEIJING -- Dremiel Byers doesn't flinch easily. The man is an Army supply sergeant and was a world champion super heavyweight in Greco Roman wrestling in 2002. He is 6 feet, 264 pounds of guts and granite. But on Thursday, the man had met his match.
"Ain't doing all these stairs," Byers insisted. Give the man a pass. In 4,000 miles of slopes, valleys, cuts and edges, there are too many to count on the Great Wall of China, much less climb.
The U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team scaled, joshed and at times even grappled on the Great Wall here on Thursday. Even lifts and bumps and chest bumps against its belly couldn't shake its foundations. All day, the Great Wall got the better of the great athletes, whether they were in mid-workout or just snapping photos like other tourists. As one set of inclines revealed another, Byers created a mini-faucet by scrunching the bottom roll of his shirt to wring it out.
"How many people had to build this thing?" he asked. Teammates jumped in with guesses.
"A hundred thousand?" asked Spenser Mango, an Olympic rookie.
"More than a million," asserted Brad Vering, a team veteran.
From the sixth century B.C., more than two million men were said to have died building the Wall and more than one million patrolled its interior at once to fend off northern invaders. It has become a sort of group bonding tradition for many of the Olympic teams to break the training monotony with a day of sightseeing. If it has some sort of practical connection to the sport, so much the better.
"I used to think if we'd keep these guys isolated, they'd be better able to keep their focus," says Steve Fraser, the Greco head coach who in 1984 became the first U.S. wrestler to win Olympic gold in Greco. "But I see the benefits of something like this as long as they make it to bed on time, have their meals, get that good training in. It's good to get out, good for camaraderie and team spirit. It'll help us compete. And there's something about warriors protecting their land from the enemy that draws connections to wrestlers."
Fraser's team has been on a roll these last few years, winning the world team title in '07. It's hard to argue with his formula. Other bonding sites have included Dracula's Castle in Romania, the Coliseum in Rome and the Parthenon in Athens, but the snapshots from Thursday's trip were especially memorable.
As the wrestlers left their bus, they began passing the gauntlet of souvenir-hawkers at the base of one entrance, shouting their greetings. A large donkey trailed part of the group, staring up at Rulon Gardner, the 2000 Olympic champ who is now an NBC analyst. "That's a big ass, right there," said Gardner, who has had ample chance to use the line during his days as a Wyoming farm boy.
On one end of a walkway, Jake Deitchler was negotiating a better deal on a hand-woven bamboo horn hat. On another, Tim Taylor, Byers' primary training partner, was gingerly posing on the back of a camel. "Don't buck," Byers shouted. "I need him."
The wrestlers were clearly better suited for mats. Training partner Willie Madison played a game of hacky sack. T.C. Dantzler gave up after trying to catch a butterfly that insisted on fluttering just out of his grasp. "I'm a city kid," said Dantzler, who grew up outside Chicago. "What do I know about butterflies?" A smiley round gentleman asked Gardner and Byers to pose with him, as the team broke into chants of "Buddha" and "Butterbean."
It was a first trip for all of the squad's members, including coach Brandon Paulson. "It's been like a fantasy place to me, too," Paulson said. "Until you see it for yourself, you don't know what it will be like."
Start with this: It is steep. Wrestlers climb stairs at the end of workouts all the time. Coaches regularly try to faze their athletes by sending them to the tops of high school gyms and even university stadiums. This was different. Stairs on the wall alternate from steep and frequent to narrow and long. The terrain is sometimes straight, sometimes twisting.
Wrestlers who were accustomed to jogging up and down with a certain detached ease had to look at their feet and grab the wall's sides as they increased the pace. Shon Lewis, the head coach of the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program, was looking over the side. "The Mongols really think they'd attack this place?" he said, scanning the vastness.
Some wrestlers started grappling, mostly to snap photos, others to release energy. Gardner and Byers, longtime rivals and still friends, traded moves. Madison later one upped Mango and roared, "a reverse lift on the Great Wall" somewhere into Manchurian wilderness.
"The thing that gets me in a place like this is not just the warrior mind set, but the history," Vering said. "It's majestic. I think there could have been these great battles where we were standing today. Think about how this place broke men down and built them up. We're trying to do the same thing."

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One of the great ones

2008-06-16T09:13:00.001-07:00

Who is the legendary American wrestler in the photos above? And which man is it? Click here to find out.

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Wrestling & MMA

2008-06-16T00:13:00.001-07:00

Click here to read an interesting story about MMA and wrestling.

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Mockery?

2008-06-01T18:47:00.001-07:00

Click here to read an article about Kimbo Slice and the debut of MMA fighting on network TV.

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Frank Trigg stars in "Who's Still Standing?"

2008-05-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

See wrestler Frank Trigg's bloody, bone-crushing brawl against jiu jitsu black belt Jean-Jacques Machado in Who's Still Standing? This newly released DVD is the greatest MMA fight compilation of all time. It contains these historic match-ups in their entirety:

Couture vs. Inoue
Shamrock vs. Inoue
Trigg vs. Machado
Paulson vs. Newton
Henderson vs. DeSouza
Sato vs. Lewis
Pederneiras vs. Sato
Erikson vs. Randleman

Buy Who's Still Standing? at MMAClassics.com or Amazon.com now!

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The real "Million Dollar Baby"

2008-05-23T11:05:00.001-07:00

Click here to read about boxer Maureen Shea.

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NHB Women!

2008-05-23T11:01:00.001-07:00

Click here to check out their downloads!

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NY wrestling event

2008-05-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

On May 20, 2008 the Beat the Streets Program and world renowned wrestling legends will honor New York City coaches and the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) for their work in nurturing students through athletics to greatly improve their lives. Dan Gable, U.S.A. Wrestling Hall of Fame and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member, Lee Kemp, 2008 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Coach, John Smith, Five-Time NCAA Champion Coach and Lee Roy Smith, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Director, will be on hand to recognize the achievements of the PSAL and wrestling coaches from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Roosevelt Island area schools.

Founded in 2004 the Beat the Streets Program offers middle and high school aged boys and girls wrestling opportunities to build discipline, mental toughness and a strong work ethic to help them achieve victory both on and off the mat. Approximately 3,500 wrestlers from the New York City Public, Private and Catholic School system participate in tournaments, clinics, camps and educational opportunities that Beat the Streets provides.

Who will attend:

Michael E. Novogratz, Chairman of the Board, Beat the Streets

Al Bevilacqua, President, Beat the Streets

Michael Cigala, Executive Director, Beat the Streets

Dan Gable, Special Guest

Lee Kemp, Special Guest

John Smith, Special Guest

Lee Roy Smith, Special Guest

Honorees:

Eric Goldstein, Chief Executive, Public School Athletic League

Bruce Haberli, wrestling coach, New York University

Michael Blyth, coach, Michael J. Petrides School , Staten Island , NY

Keith Conrade, coach, Canarsie High School , Brooklyn , NY

Corey Luce, coach, Roosevelt Island Middle School , Roosevelt Island , NY

When:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Media call time: 7:00 PM

Where:

Bowery Hotel

335 Bowery at East 3rd Street
New York , NY 10003

Media Must RSVP to Attend

Media:
Philip Ramirez, 212-784-5713 or philip@groupgordon.com

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Dan Gable

2008-05-14T15:09:00.001-07:00

Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable shares his views on life. Click here to read the full article.

Iowa wrestling legend Randy Lewis shares his views on Dan Gable. Click here to read the article.

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Victoria Schiltz

2008-05-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

MMA fighter Victoria Schiltz stars in the brutal documentary film Fighter. Award-winning director Pericles Lewnes films one of Victoria's bloody cage brawls and later interviews her about her life, family, and unconventional career. The images above were lifted directly from the DVD. Click here to buy Fighter at MMAClassics.com now. You can check out more reviews of Fighter here at Amazon.com.

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From the vault of Sports Illustrated

2008-05-11T10:00:00.001-07:00

Click here to read a 1989 Sports Illustrated article about the U.S. wrestling team's defeat of the Soviets for the first time in 17 years.

"The Americans didn't beat cream puffs. The Soviet squad included four 1988 Olympic gold medal winners, plus a silver medalist and a bronze medalist. "Soviet wrestlers like to come out and get a handful of points and then just hang on," says Douglas. "But here they were running out of gas at about the four-minute mark." Indeed, two U.S. wrestlers, former Iowa Hawkeyes Randy Lewis and Rico Chiapparelli, pulled out wins in the final seconds of their matches."

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Red Belt

2008-05-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

Click here to read an article about the new David Mamet film Red Belt starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.

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WFC event on May 30

2008-05-06T12:14:00.001-07:00

Click here for info.

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VFC 23

2008-05-05T20:38:00.001-07:00

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World Combat League

2008-05-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Click here to see the schedule of fights at Versus.com.

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Les Moonves: President & CEO of CBS

2008-05-01T21:25:00.001-07:00

Click here to read what Sumner Redstone has to say about Moonves' decision to air extreme fighting on CBS.

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MFC 16

2008-05-01T21:19:00.001-07:00

Click here for info.

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Randy Couture news

2008-04-30T20:48:00.001-07:00

Click here to read the latest about Randy.

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Russian Fighters

2008-04-30T20:46:00.001-07:00

Were these women trained during the former Soviet regime?

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David Mamet

2008-04-29T08:47:00.001-07:00

Click here to read about David Mamet's new film Redbelt.

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Rick Bassman

2008-04-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Click here to read this MMA-related story about an Orange County, CA businessman.

"My notion of what a real fighter was in those days – my pre-educated period – was simple:

Whoever looked the most intimidating was, in fact, the toughest."

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Visit the ladies of TUFF and see their free pics!

2008-04-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Click to join tidewaterfemalefighting

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TUFF

2008-04-28T14:20:00.001-07:00

Looks like we missed the TUFF event held over the weekend, but hopefully the ladies from TUFFBeach.com will host another one soon. From their website it appears that they are planning to open a gym in Virginia Beach, but certain people (men) will not be allowed in there. The text on their site indicates that there will be:

" ..no strange guys around to stare at you while you work out, spar, etc."

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Future MMA fighters?

2008-04-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

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International Fight League

2008-04-28T13:01:00.001-07:00

Remember the halcyon days of early 2007 when IFL stock was trading at $15 a share? The chart above depicts the grim reality faced by those who still hold some of their shares.

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Viva Fertitta

2008-04-28T12:53:00.001-07:00

You are probably aware that the Fertitta brothers, owners of the UFC, have a lot more going on than just their involvement in sports entertainment. Click here to read about some of their latest plans.

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Advanced Technique Videos

2008-04-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

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Megumi Fujii vs. Michele Mills

2008-04-26T10:55:00.001-07:00

Click here to watch the free YouTube clip of Megumi Fujii vs. Michele Mills and click here to buy the entire video of the exciting Professional Submission League event in which they competed!

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Dream match-up?

2008-04-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

Click here to read about it.

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Have you heard of the MMA Girls?

2008-04-25T17:33:00.001-07:00

Click here to get some technique videos and some fight picks.

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"THE MMA/COLLEGE WRESTLING PIPELINE"

2008-04-24T14:35:00.001-07:00

Click here to read this article about college athletes who also compete in MMA events.

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Interesting wrestling article

2008-02-28T07:12:00.001-08:00

Click here to read this story.

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Iowa wrestling

2007-12-04T17:33:00.000-08:00

Click here to read a recent article about Iowa wrestling.

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Wanna be on "TUF"?

2007-11-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

Click here to read more.

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CEO of R1 Training Center

2007-10-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

R1 Training Center is under new management. The acting boss is somewhat elusive. Many just call her the "Grey Ghost". She streaks across the main floor when she feels like it. Rumor has it that she prefers to be addressed as "Dr."

Every day the Dr. says a little prayer that Michael Vick might be strolling through her neighborhood in El Segundo. He might be out of the headlines, but he's still in her heart.

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2007-10-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord, Thank you for bringing me to Timmy's house and
not to Michael Vick's. AMEN

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Interesting opinion on the financial state of the UFC

2007-10-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.mmapayout.com/2007/10/second-opinion-zuffas-finances-come.html

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Randy's new project

2007-10-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Click here to read the story.

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Enson Inoue Seminar

2007-10-15T12:01:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics from Enson Inoue's seminar in San Diego during the weekend of Octber 14-15.

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Randy retires?

2007-10-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

Click here to ready the story from Yahoo sports.

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Judo in a reality combat situation..

2007-09-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Check this story out.

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Pics from 8-2-07

2007-09-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

More pics from August 2, 2007 open sparring session at R1 Training Center.

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Best MMA Promotion Ever

2007-09-09T10:56:00.001-07:00

Bang the Champ!

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Martial arts training by the pros..

2007-09-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yes-Yv6NPvM

August 2, 2007

2007-08-25T03:59:00.000-07:00

More pics from August 2, 2007 open sparring session at R1 Training Center.

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FIGHTER CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST DOMINANCE

2007-08-13T13:47:00.001-07:00

NEXT STOP RHODE ISLAND THEN ONTO WALES, UK

For immediate release August 10, 2007

Courtesy of Rick Muge / MMA CLASSICS

FIGHTER a documentary continues it’s global romp through the film festival circuit. Previously un-released after sitting in a film storage vault for 10 years, FIGHTER debuted in Hollywood at the famed Mann’s Chinese theater, less than a year later the documentary film has won BEST in it’s category three times and has been accepted into two more prestigious international film festivals – The Rhode Island International Film Festival and The Swansea Bay Film Festival, held in historic Providence, RI and Swansea Bay, Wales, UK respectively.

FIGHTER will be screening at the Rhode Island International Film Fest (RIIFF) Saturday night, August 11, 2007 at 6:00 pm at the University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus, 80 Washington Street in Providence RI. For more information on this film festival and it’s 250 film screenings is 6 days, go to: www.film-festival.org/2007Festival.php

We are also proud to announce that FIGHTER a documentary has been accepted to the Swansea Bay Film Festival in Wales, UK as one of its 2008 entries. Films screened at the Swansea Bay Film Festival qualify to enter the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). For more information and to see FIGHTER highlighted on the front page of the film fest web site, go here: www.swanseafilmfestival.com/home07.htm

‘FIGHTER, a documentary', looks back to capture a slice of sports history as Randy "The Natural" Couture chases his first UFC™ Belt and beyond. The film "takes you deep into the world of Couture… a man who is now considered the personification of everything good about this sport"

Winner of the "BEST DOCUMENTARY" at the FAIF Film Festival in Hollywood, CA "BEST BIOGRAPHY" at the NYFVI Film festival in New York, NY, and “BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY” at the NYIIF Festival in Los Angeles, CA 'FIGHTER' provides a riveting myriad of perspectives while taking an irreverent yet brutally honest look inside the minds of MMA fighters. For interview requests please contact Kera at 323.966.5432 or eMail us at: info@mmaclassics.com.

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LA Newspaper covers MMA

2007-08-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a recent Los Angeles newspaper article about MMA fighting in which PSL founder/R1 Gym owner Rico Chiapparelli (seen in above pic with his best friend) is quoted.

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Pics from 8/2/07 open sparring session at R1 Gym

2007-08-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

(from left to right: Ed Wedding, Andy Wang, Jeff Paris)

(from left to right): Glen Isobe and Yorkylee Fairbanks

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New at FightVOD.com

2007-08-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Who is that person staring back at you with calculated intensity from the top of this post? Why, that is Rico Chiapparelli (World Champion wrestler, President of the Professional Submission League, and owner of R1 Training Center here in Los Angeles.) In the midst of all his other endeavors Rico also spent years jaunting between Paris and New York as a successful fashion model. Check out the recent update to Fight VOD in which award-winning director Pericles Lewnes follows Rico to Randy Couture's corner at a UFC event, to a fashion shoot, and then prompts Rico to discuss his views on wrestling, MMA fighting, and coaching.

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Excerpt from September issue of Gladiator Magazine

2007-07-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerpt from the upcoming November issue of Gladiator Magazine. In this snippet Rico Chiapparelli, President of the Professional Submission League, discusses Marcelo Garcia:

" .. At L.A. Sub X, Garcia finally gained revenge on Ralph Gracie black belt Cameron Earle, submitting him with a front choke from the north/south position. This was revenge from the Alliance black belt for two lost gi matches to the American earlier in his career. Garcia's victory led to a highly anticipated match at X-Mission against MMA champion & submission star Jake Shields. Garcia had little trouble submitting ADCC bronze medalist Shields with another front choke, albeit from a different position and angle altogether. Afterwards, Garcia - who has been a trailblazer in BJJ & Submission - stated:

‘the PSL (professional Submission League) always puts on a big show, it really shows how professional these events can be & I really hope it can become a regular event.’ .. "

The November issue of Gladiator Magazine will be on the stands soon. Be sure to get your copy.

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Open sparring session at noon today!

2007-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

There is an open sparring session at R1 Gym today at noon. Come join in the action! Here is the gym address:

113 Sierra St.
El Segundo, CA 90245
(parking is in the back alley)
* don't look for signage - there isn't any

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"Fighter" goes global

2007-07-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

Click here to read some promo about the documentary film Fighter starring Randy Couture. The Swansea Bay Film Festival (in the UK) has selected Fighter as one of its 2008 entries. Films screened at the Swansea Bay Film Festival qualify to enter the British Independent Film Awards.

Numerous scenes from Fighter can be purchased at Fight VOD.

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Female MMA Fighters in Time Magazine

2007-07-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Click here to see a photo pictorial featuring female MMA fighters in Time magazine.

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Fighters still wanted for R1 Open Sparring Session

2007-07-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

Fighters still wanted for the R1 Open Sparring Session at R1 Gym in El Segundo, California on Sunday, July 29.

RULES:
- 3 3-minute rounds
- Headgear, gloves, cup, and mouthpiece required
- Win by KO, TKO, or submission

Contact Ryan at (310)322-5552 or r1gundo@yahoo.com for more info.

Visit www.R1Gym.com to get directions to the gym.

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Buy UFC Gear

2007-07-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

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Open sparring session - fighters wanted!

2007-07-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

R1 Gym is hosting a smoker fight on July 29, 2007. Please see their listing at www.SmokerFights.com for more details. To pre-register as a fighter contact Ryan at r1gundo@yahoo.com or (310)-322-5552.

The photos above are of Jake "Baby Shark" Moody fighting at a past R1 Gym open sparring event. See the entire video of Jake in action at www.FightVOD.com .

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10 Minutes FREE at Catfight VOD!

2007-07-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

Check this out!

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City of Compton

2007-07-10T20:22:00.001-07:00

Click here for more info about this July 14th event in Compton, California.

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Bloody Women Brawling at FightVOD.com

2007-07-07T13:43:00.001-07:00

Click here to watch this awesome clip from thedocumentary film Fighter at www.FightVOD.com - you don't want to miss this! All the clips and full-length movies you download at www.FightVOD.com are yours to keep forever.

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Private Lessons from Randy Couture

2007-06-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Ever wished you could hire Randy Couture for some private lessons? Well, he is now available at Fight VOD! Purchase exclusive downloads of Randy (with wrestling World Champion Rico Chiapparelli) demonstrating his tried and tested maneuvers from inside the cage.

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New pics of Icon Sport Training Facility

2007-06-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

These photos show the brand new Icon Sport, Martial Arts & Fitness Center in Hawaii Kai, Hawaii. Click here to visit their MySpace page.

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Meet Randy Couture Tonight!

2007-06-13T15:54:00.001-07:00

Meet UFC champ Randy Couture tonight at a public screening of the award-winning documentary film Fighter. An independent camera crew followed Randy during the earliest days of his MMA fighting career and that exclusive footage can only be seen in Fighter. Here are the details for tonight's Los Angeles screening:

Wednesday, June 13 • $1/$8 VIP

www.safari-sams.com

(It is not listed on the front page calendar, click
calendar at the top of the page and scroll down.)

Safari Sam's
5214 W. Sunset Blvd
Hollywood

323.666.7267

Hope to see you there!

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Randy Couture to appear in new David Mamet movie

2007-06-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

UFC champ Randy Couture will be appearing in an upcoming David Mamet production entitled Red Belt. MMA fighter Frank Trigg has a role in the movie as well. So does Enson Inoue. And so does the infamous Dan "The Wolfman" Theodore. The Wolfman is a fixture on numerous well-trafficked MMA message boards. Perhaps you've heard of him. Some view The Wolfman as a polarizing entity on the said message boards, but others applaud his devout, unwavering commitment to the sport of mixed martial arts fighting. Below is a recent post from The Wolfman. Please note his trademark paragraph-long "signature" which appears at the end of every message that he publishes on the Net:

"Just got home for 1st day on Redbelt, and am exhausted since it is 10:41, I got up at 5am, and got there at 7am. This is just for those that may be interested since this is the first major movie with major mma/bjj theme. Here are some quick notes.....I won't give away any plot points other than the synapsis which you can find online, imdb.com etc. Just sharing what I am hoping will be a very successful movie for not only the sport of MMA, but of the self-defense and spirit of BJJ from what I can tell. So far I am a cornerman for a fighter nicknamed "Toro" that is actually played by Peter S., a former boxing champion from South Africa. Randy was there today on camera. Enson came in for fitting and some photos so got to chat with him a bit after attending his seminar yesterday. Saw many photo proofs of this HUGE UFC photo book that will be coming out for those that can afford it, with many wicked before and after photos of fighters as well as action shots. I did a brief photo shoot and he got some great photos. the Director David Mamet seems like a very real, cool human being thus far. He knows what he wants, and seems to be polite and positive to everyone. He gives Ataboys which go very far on a working set to making production work so that is a big plus. The Fight Scenes I witnessed today both live, and watching playback look like they are really very good. The lead comes off cool and believable, he moves really well. I will have to talk to him more about his training tommarrow. there are some bad ass moves. Anyone that has seen the Japanese Machado Self Defense DVD will recognize a bit of how you can actually apply BJJ in real situations which I know first hand from years of bouncing. John Machado, Renato, Rico C., and a few other bjj black belts and stunt coordinator Jack Gill are all around making sure that action is good. I did my little part today but getting attention to the 1st AD that fighters going to fights should be MMA gloved up, I took care of the taping and signing off (at props request), and got makeup to sweat my fighter so it would look authentic before rolling began. Movies really require a dedicated and happy crew (attaboys and good food!), dedicated actors, a director with passion and vision, and often dedicated stuntman (one BB that had never done on screen stunts took many many takes of two major throws and some kicks to the head/neck-this authenticity really helps sell the scene from what I saw on playback) Doing fight coreography that incorporates alot of grappling is really hard to do, but with knowledgable people and a good film crew with multiple camera angles (This takes correct lighting, correct angles for the action, right lens choices etc. etc.) to catch the action it sure looked to me so far like it can be done. Nuff' said for now

Daniel AKA: "The Wolfman" www.DanTheWolfman.com Martial Arts Instructor, Security, Actor, Fight Scene Coreographer, and Writer. Actor-Cop that shoots Giovani Ribisi in Adam Goldberg's "I Love Your Work", Fight Scenes "Richard Heat" and "Lotta" Former Member of Miletich Fighting Systems, Tito Ortiz Team Punishment, Dan Severn, and "Tank" Abbott Pancrase, Daidojuku Kudo World Tournament, and WWF ToughEnough Veteran GLSGC Heavyweight Advanced No Gi Submission Champion, Tito Ortiz Invitational Absolute 3rd Place, writer for MPH car magazine, Fighters Only, Ultimate Athlete Magazine, and FightSport Magazine

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A Message from Director Pericles Lewnes..

2007-06-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I just want to let my L.A. friends know that there
will be a screening of my documentary FIGHTER at
Safari Sam's nightclub at 5214 W. Sunset Blvd in
Hollywood.

UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture will be at the
screening in person, along with Executive Producer
Rico Chiapparelli who is currently the Technical
Advisor on the new David Mamet film: REDBELT which is
currently in production.

Actors from REDBELT, starring Tim Allen, may also be
attending the screening.

Here is the information below:

Wednesday, June 13 • $1/$8 VIP

www.safari-sams.com

(It is not listed on the front page calender, click
calender at the top of the page and scroll down.)

Safari Sam's
5214 W. Sunset Blvd
Hollywood

323.666.7267

Safari Sam's and the AICAA Present

Dinner and a Movie Night

This week we present the award winning film

FIGHTER

A Documentary about the UFC directed by Pericles
Lewnes

All proceeds go to benefit AICAA Community Film
Programs

7pm-9pm
1/2 price on all food and beer

Directions:
http://www.nextgen.safari-sams.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&amp;id=430&Itemid=328

***

Henry Cejudo

2007-06-08T18:12:00.001-07:00

Click here to read a recent Sports Illustrated article about freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo.

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UFC coverage at SI.com

2007-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Click here to read UFC coverage from Sports Illustrated.

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Randy Couture in David Mamet Production

2007-05-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch filmmaker/playwright David Mamet discussing his upcoming MMA-themed film. Randy Couture, jujitsu blackbelt Renato Magno of Street Sports Jujitsu, and wrestling world champion Rico Chiapparelli of R1 Gym are involved with the project.

***

C'mon.. we've all been there..

2007-04-29T23:30:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the moral of the story is that you should not stay in Iowa if you are an NCAA wrestling champion who competed for Iowa. No one would care about this if it had happened in California.

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Wrestling, MMA, and the IFL

2007-04-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a recent press release from the publicly traded IFL to its shareholders.

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Wikipedia Article about Submission Wrestling

2007-04-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

Click here to read Wikipedia's article about submission wrestling.

***

Pro Elite, Inc.

2007-04-24T21:52:00.001-07:00

Click here to read an April 17, 2007 press release from Pro Elite, Inc. to its shareholders.

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Wrestling is big in Iowa too..

2007-04-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

The state of Iowa is unique in numerous regards. The passion of its populace for the sport of wrestling is a notable example. Click here to read about some wacky Iowans trying to draw attention to their city using a subject matter and a hero that have absolutely nothing to do with wrestling. There is a lot more going on in Iowa than you might have realized.

***

Hickman, Kentucky

2007-04-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

If you plan to do anything illegal in the near future perhaps you should cross the county line into Hickman, Kentucky. You will have a really good chance of foiling local law enforcement and returning to your home state very quickly. Just read this.

The Pride Channel

2007-04-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch Pride Fighting matches online at Heavy.com.

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Raw Indecency

2007-04-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

It's been described as "raw indecency" and that about sums it up. Still, you can always click here and check out Beach Bum Fights if you're bored on a Sunday afternoon. Why not?

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12th Round Knockout Blow

2007-04-20T23:10:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch this even if you are not a football fan. You'll still appreciate the 12th round nature of the winning shot.

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Watch Cage Rage 21 Live!

2007-04-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

Click here to register to watch ProElite.com's Cage Rage 21 live at 1PM EST on Saturday, April 21.

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SI Article about Highschool Wrestling

2007-04-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a recent Sports Illustrated article about highschool wrestling.

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More pics of Randy from the Pearl Harbor Memorial

2007-04-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

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Lyoto Machida vs. Rafael Lovato

2007-04-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch the exciting PSL submission wrestling match featuring champions Lyoto Machida and Rafael Lovato!

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Here's Another One: Pro Elite

2007-04-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Evidently there are a great deal more publicly traded companies involved in MMA promotions than we realized. Click here to read about ProElite, Inc.

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Another Publicly Traded MMA Organization

2007-04-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ever heard of Insight Energy Corp? Nope, we hadn't either. They are also known as Sun Sports and Entertainment and are the publicly traded entity that runs the new International Fighting Association. Click here to read some financial analysis of the company.

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What's going on with IFL stock?

2007-04-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

The International Fighting League trades under IFLI.OB. Their stock has plummeted in the past week (see chart above). What's going on?

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A Day in the Life of Chuck Liddell

2007-04-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Click here to read about Chuck Liddell's training regimen in a recent article from Sports Illustrated.

***

It's Never Too Late

2007-04-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Click here to read why you should never give up.

Happy Easter!

***

IFL

2007-04-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a press release from the International Fight League to its shareholders.

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SI Article about UFC

2007-04-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a recent Sports Illustrated article about UFC pay-per-view fight buys.

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More pics from the Pearl Harbor Memorial

2007-04-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

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Randy Couture Visits the Pearl Harbor Memorial

2007-04-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

UFC Champion Randy Couture visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial to pay his respects to the fallen servicemen. The Natural was VIP all the way as he toured the USS Arizona and USS Utah memorials aboard his own private launch. Later 'The Natural' met some of the troops on the board the nuclear submarine USS Columbus.

***

FIGHTER FOLLOWS COUTURE TO HONOLULU

2007-03-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

MMACLASSICS.COM & Icon Sport invites Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans of all ages to join us along with invited guests on Sunday, April 1 @ 2:00 PM in Honolulu at the Pipeline Cafe(www.pipelinecafe.net) for the Hawaiian premiere of 'FIGHTER, a documentary' featuring Randy "The Natural" Couture.

After the fireworks at Icon Sport on Saturday night at the Blaisdell Center, please come join the Ultimate Fighting(UFC) Heavyweight champion Randy Couture along with a plethora of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters and celebrities as they gather to screen his award winning film. The Pipeline Cafe has graciously opened its doors to the UFC Hall of Famer who is visiting Hawaii for the first time since regaining his UFC heavyweight belt in an historic performance at UFC 68.

'FIGHTER, a documentary', looks back to capture a slice of sports history as Randy "The Natural" Couture chases his first UFC Belt and beyond. The film "takes you deep into the world of Couture a man who is now considered the personification of everything good about this sport"

Winner of the "Best Documentary" at the FAIF Film Festival in Hollywood, CA and the "Best Biography" at the NYFVI Film festival in New York, NY, 'FIGHTER' provides a riveting myriad of perspectives while taking an irreverent yet brutally honest look inside the minds of MMA fighters.

Do not miss this opportunity to meet a true American legend, "The Natural" Randy Couture. FIGHTER will screen at 3:00 with a second screening at 4:15pm.

For Vip tickets please contact 808.479.6007 or email: info@mmaclassics.com

For more information and free video clips of FIGHTER please go to www.mmaclassics.com

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Megumi Fujii vs. Michele Mills

2007-03-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Click here to watch video of Megumi Fujii and Michelle Mills wrestling at ProSubLeague's inaugural event in May 2006!

***

Great Article about Iowa Wrestling

2007-03-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Click here to read a new article about Iowa wrestling at Sports Illustrated.

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Pro Sub League's Pay-Per-View Matches

2007-03-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Click here to watch Pro Sub League's submission wrestling matches featuring Jean-Jacques Machado, Jake Shields, Saulo Ribeiro, Megumi Fujii, Michelle Mills, Vladimir Matyushenko, Lyoto Machida and more!

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Jack is Back

2007-03-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Will fitness guru/nonagenarian Jack LaLanne accept the challenge to box a 91-year-old gym owner in Florida?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17519749/?GT1=9145

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"Fighter" Returns to Los Angeles

2007-03-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA
MARCH 6, 2007

'FIGHTER' triumphantly returns to Los Angeles @ Laemmle Sunset 5!

After a historic return to the UFC Heavyweight Championship crown last Saturday March 3, Randy 'the Natural' Couture's legend continues to evolve. The beginning of Couture's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) story is brilliantly told by director, Pericles Lewnes in the multi-award winning film 'FIGHTER, a documentary'.

Last Friday, March 2, on the eve of his historic UFC victory against Tim Sylvia in Columbus, Ohio, 'The Natural', joined fans (some who had driven 8 hours to meet him) at the Ohio premier of 'Fighter, a documentary'. Fans were able to meet the UFC Hall of Famer, ask questions and wish him luck as he autographed 8 x 10's made especially for the event.

"This made my trip", exclaimed Rick Muge, "We went to the UFC weigh-ins today but there were so many people and the fighters were so far away. I can't believe I just got to shake Randy Couture's hand!"

Brian Kern went on to say, "A couple of friends and I got VIP tickets at Randy Couture's showing of "FIGHTER" last Friday night. I just want to say that it was a completely awesome experience meeting and talking with our favorite UFC champion of all time."

Randy as always, was more than gracious with the fans as he told us that he was "astounded by the reception that we have received here in Columbus. The fans here in the Midwest are incredible and I am happy see people come out to support this film and our great sport. It's the fans that helped make this sport and they are the ones who will push it even further into the mainstream."

For all those MMA fans on the west coast, 'FIGHTER, a documentary' featuring Randy 'The Natural' Couture is once again in contention at the New York International Independent Film and Video (NYIIFV) Festival, this time in their Los Angeles competition. 'FIGHTER' will screen this coming Wednesday, March 7, 2007 @ 6 PM (on screen 4) at the Laemmle Sunset 5 located at 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 (www.laemmle.com).

For those who have never seen this film in a theater it is truly an amazing experience. As Loretta Hunt from The Fight Network told us 'I have seen the film before but watching 'FIGHTER' on the big screen gave me goose bumps!'

Winner of the "Best Documentary" at the FAIF Film Festival in Hollywood, CA and the "Best Biography" at the NYIIFV Festival in New York, NY, 'FIGHTER, a documentary', looks back to capture a slice of sports history as Randy "The Natural" Couture chases his first Ultimate Fighting World Championship Belt. The film "takes you deep into the world of Couture... a man who is now considered the personification of everything good about this sport".

'FIGHTER' will be screening ONE TIME ONLY at the Laemmle Sunset 5, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 at 6:00 pm. For tickets please go to www.nyfilmvideo.com or call (323) 848-3500. For more information and video clips of 'FIGHTER' go to www.mmaclassics.com .

The NYIIFVF is the largest film festival in the world and has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit. The festival hosts film, music and art events in the two entertainment capitals of the United States: New York and Los Angeles. The NYIIFVF is known as the voice for independent film and receives extensive media coverage.

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"Fighter" Goes to Columbus, Ohio

2007-03-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

FIGHTER FOLLOWS COUTURE TO COLUMBUS

MMACLASSICS.COM invites fans of all ages to join us along with invited guests on Friday, March 2 @ 7 PM in Columbus, OH at the Drexel Gateway Theater for the Ohio premiere of 'FIGHTER, a documentary' featuring Randy "The Natural" Couture.

Join the UFC Hall of Famer along with a plethora of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters & celebrities as they gather on the eve of his UFC title fight to screen this award winning film.

'FIGHTER, a documentary', looks back to capture a slice of sports history as Randy "The Natural" Couture chases his first Ultimate Fighting World Championship™ Belt. The film documents the early stages of mma in the U.S. with some scenes dating as far back as the early 90's and "takes you deep into the world of Couture… a man who is now considered the personification of everything good about this sport"

Winner of the "Best Documentary" at the FAIF Film Festival in Hollywood, CA and the "Best Biography" at the NYFVI Film festival in New York, NY, 'FIGHTER' provides a riveting myriad of perspectives while taking an irreverent yet brutally honest look inside the minds of MMA fighters.

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