Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2016
Urijah Faber, Founder and Partner of MMADRAFT.COM, today announced that he has partnered with UFC GYM LAS VEGAS for the 5th Annual MMA Combine, and that the event will take place Saturday, April 9 in the Fight Capital of the World.
Faber also announced that matchmakers from five MMA organizations are confirmed to attend including: Combate Americas, the first-ever professional U.S. Hispanic professional MMA league; Pancrase, one of the oldest combat sports organizations in the world; RFA, a developmental MMA organization that hosts events all across the country; TUFF-N-UFF, the world’s largest and most respected amateur MMA organization; and, Victory Fighting Championship, the biggest and most active MMA promotion in the Midwest.
Additionally, Faber stated that TUFF-N-UFF and Victory FC have both pledged to award contracts to athletes on April 9th.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been four years since we held our first MMA Combine,” said Faber. “Every year we draw more interest from promotions looking to find the next Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey. This year, I’m excited to say that matchmakers from five MMA organizations will be at the MMA Combine. This will be our biggest and most visible opportunity to date for MMA fighters looking to assess their skills and athleticism - not only to get on the MMA radar - but also signed to an amateur or professional promotion.”
UFC GYM LAS VEGAS will host the 2016 Combine and has signed on as a title sponsor for the event. UFC GYM will present a free UFC GYM T-shirt to all participants as well as other prizes throughout the day.
“UFC GYM is proud to be the host of the MMA DRAFT Combine this year! As an integral part of the growth of MMA around the Las Vegas Valley, it will be great to see the next rising stars showcase their skills,” said Charlie Haycox, owner of UFC GYM Las Vegas.
Campbell McLaren, founder of Combate Americas said, “I’ve been tracking Urijah’s MMA Combine events since I started Combate Americas in 2012. He is doing a wonderful service for the sport of MMA. I will be pleased to send my professional matchmaker and Vice President of Operations, Mike Afromowitz, to the Combine. Mike will make athlete evaluations on my behalf and in consideration of our 2016-2017 events schedule.”
“I’m sending our matchmaker to the MMA DRAFT Combine in April, because we are impressed with the event and how much it’s grown over the years,” said Ed Soares, President of RFA. “We look forward to seeing the turnout and to scouting athletes from all over the nation for our upcoming RFA shows.”
Bryan Lindsey, President & COO of TUFF-N-UFF said, “We are pleased Urijah and the MMA DRAFT team responded in such a positive way when we reached out to him looking to bring an MMA DRAFT Combine to Las Vegas. TUFF-N-UFF is in a massive growth phase and we are always looking to give opportunities to up-and-coming athletes and find the future stars of MMA.”
“With our recent deal to feature Victory FC events live on UFC FIGHT PASS, we are looking for more skilled athletes to compete on our cards, both amateurs and professionals,” said Ryan Stoddard, owner and CEO of Victory Fighting
2016 MMA DRAFT Combine:
WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 2016 – Starts at 9:00 a.m. PT
WHERE: UFC GYM LAS VEGAS
2265 North Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, NV 89014
WHO: Amateur Mixed Martial Artists – 18 yrs. and older; Professional Mixed Martial Artists with five or or less sanctioned competitions
WHY: Matchmakers from Combate Americas, Pancrase, RFA, and Victory FC are confirmed to attend the Combine
HOW: Register Online Now at MMADRAFT.COM
$25 application fee per participant
TITLE SPONSORS: UFC GYM LAS VEGAS, Pancrase and TUFF-N-UFF
During the Combine, athletes participate in two categories composed of 10 drills to assess “Athleticism” and “Skills.” Speed, Agility, Strength, Power and Stamina will be measured to determine Athleticism. Grappling, Striking, and Wrestling levels and prowess will be evaluated and scored for Skills.
A panel of MMA experts will evaluate each athlete’s performance. Following is the judging panel:
BJJ/Grappling/Submission: Evan Dunham, UFC Lightweight Fighter
Boxing/Striking: Gil Martinez, World Class Boxing Trainer & MMA Coach
Wrestling: Bryan Lindsey, USA Wrestling National Champion
Overall Skills and Athleticism: Urijah Faber, UFC Fighter
Phil Davis, Bellator Fighter
About MMA DRAFT Combine:
The first MMA DRAFT Combine was held in 2013. To date, the MMADRAFT.COM Combine database holds records of over 400 athletes. For a highlight video of previous MMA DRAFT Combines, click here: MMA Combine Video. For more information about MMA DRAFT and the April 9th Combine, please visit http://www.MMADRAFT.com.