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News
-Militich Joins Strikeforce |
MMA LEGEND PAT MILETICH ADDED
TO STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS ANNOUNCE TEAM
Miletich To Join Announcers Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros
Cageside;
Series Debut Friday, May 15, From Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.
Live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT
NEW YORK (May 5, 2009)— Mixed martial arts (MMA) legend
Pat Miletich will join veteran announcers
Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros cageside to call Strikeforce
Challengers , a new SHOWTIME series that serves as a proving ground
for up-and-coming MMA fighters.
Miletich, who made his debut on SHOWTIME when he called the April
11, Strikeforce event alongside Gus Johnson and Ranallo, will
provide his expert analysis when the series debuts Friday, May 15,
from Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m.
ET/PT.
Speaking of his new role, Miletich said, "I'm really excited about
being able to continue working with SHOWTIME on their Strikeforce
Challengers series. This series is extremely important to the MMA
world. I am especially honored to be a part of this as we help find
the MMA stars of tomorrow.”
Miletich is not only excited about the idea of finding the next
generation of talent but also about the partners he’ll have on
camera. “I’ve known Mauro and Stephen for years. Their knowledge
of both MMA and the television world will no doubt add to the heart
of the show. And I know working with them will be a blast.”
Undefeated lightweight sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will fight
hard-hitting brawler and BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1)
in the main event. In another top match, Aaron Rosa (11-2) will face
Anthony “A Train” Ruiz (21-12) in a light heavyweight fight.
Strikeforce Challengers provides today’s top prospects with the
opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate
their ability in a nationally televised event.
Miletich, who was the first UFC lightweight champion, has a career
MMA record of 29-7-2, holds a third degree black belt in Shuri-ryu
karate and was awarded a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt by
Oswaldo Alves. He is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems in
Bettendorf, Iowa, a premier MMA training academy where he has
trained and coached 11 UFC world champions.
His past and current students are some of the most talented and
popular fighters in MMA, including former ICON Sport and EliteXC
middleweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler , and former UFC
welterweight champion Matt Hughes . He currently trains top
fighters including ex-UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and former
UFC lightweight champ Jens Pulver .
Lawler (16-4), a one-time Miletich’s protégé, will face fellow
highly regarded, world-class fighter Jake Shields (22-4-1) in the
STRIKEFORCE main event on Saturday, June 6 , at the Scottrade Center
in St. Louis, Mo . , live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on
the West Coast).
Lawler, a top-10 middleweight, and Shields, rated among the top five
welterweights in the world, will collide at a catch weight of 182
pounds.
Tickets for the first Strikeforce Challengers event are on sale at
the Save Mart Center box office and select Save Mart Supermarkets as
well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster
online (
www.ticketmaster.com ) and Strikeforce’s official website (
www.strikeforce.com ).
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