Press Release: NICK NEWELL BATTLES FOR THE XFC TITLE ON AXS TV

Undefeated Newell to fight Eric Reynolds for the first XFC Lightweight Title this Friday, December 7 at 10pmET

(December 6, 2012- Dallas, Texas) AXS TV Fights is LIVE from Nashville, Tennessee for “XFC 21: Night of Champions II” where undefeated one-armed MMA sensation Nick Newell meets Bellator Fighting Championship veteran Eric Reynolds in the main event Friday, December 7 at 10:00pm ET on AXS TV.

Nick “Notorious” Newell (8-0) has impressed and inspired fight fans with 6 of his 8 wins coming in the first round, including his recent August victory against Adam David Mays. AXS TV Fights aired the first round knockout as part of it’s XFC 19 – Charlotte Showdown LIVE fight coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCoOirT2QeU.

However, his fight with experienced veteran Eric “It’s a Wrap” Reynolds (16-5) is sure to be the toughest test yet in his young career. Newell says that he’s ready and told Inside MMA’s Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, “I’ve picked up some new tricks…I fight to win.” Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvRUfy8CJVA&feature=youtu.be

AXS TV Fight fans can predict the Newell vs Reynolds battle and even score the fight competing with others in real-time via the AXS TV Fights app now available free for iPhone and iPad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/axs-tv-fights/id513941346?mt=8.

Fight fans can also connect with AXS TV Fights on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/AXSTVFights

twitter.com/AXSTVFights

XFC 21:  NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS II
LIVE Exclusively on AXS TV
Friday, December 7 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT

About AXS TV Fights

AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network.  "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in depth fighter coverage and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from Legacy Fighting Championship, Resurrection Fight Alliance, XFC, Maximum Fighting Championship, BAMMA, The Score Fighting Series and It's Showtime every Friday night, at 7PM PT/10PM ET.  

AXS TV Fights can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstvfights and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstvfights.

Born to fight: Bigfoot Silva sinks Travis Browne in one round

Heavyweight Travis Browne, at 6' 7" is big and strong; agile and mobile; deadly combinations that have given him good fortune as an MMA fighter. And Travis Browne has made a habit of steamrolling his hapless opponents in the cage. In fact, out of Browne's 13 victories, he recorded 5 wins via the very short route, all made under a minute in the first round.

Yes, Travis Browne who was undefeated, going into UFC on FX in Minnesota has been dubbed by some quarters to be MMA's rising star, and because of the manner he is disposing his opponents one after another, Browne's supporters and some MMA observers have probably entertained the notion that he is unsinkable.
Thus, oddsmakers installed him a 2-to-1 favorite to dispose veteran Antonio "Pezão" Silva in their heavyweight encounter at the Target Center in Minneapolis last Friday night.

But Antonio Silva, who throughout his career had faced, fought and scraped with the best of what the MMA world has to offer (Fedor Emelianenko, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Andrei Arlovski) albeit with mixed fortunes, has promised to do what he does best inside the cage-

"I respect all my opponents but inside the cage, I will hurt him because I was born to fight."

But coming off two successive losses via stoppage, nobody really took Antonio Silva seriously. To many casual MMA observers, the veteran has seen better days and is ripe for the picking. Many have already fallen in love with the exciting reputation of the supposedly 'unsinkable' Travis Browne, and picked him to easily stump the Bigfoot from Brazil.

However, if there's one fighter who knows how to come back from the pits, it is Antonio Silva. Nicknamed "Pezão" which is "Bigfoot" in Portuguese, Silva has the talent, power and skills set to give any man inside the cage hell.

Travis Browne's road to oblivion began when he tried to be flashy against a very dangerous and accomplished fighter. Early in the first round, Travis Browne was a picture of confidence as he jumpstarted his attack with an overhand right that was blocked, a spinning back kick that missed and an attempted right kick that never pushed through, as Antonio Silva invaded his space and smacked him with a short right hand.

Then Travis Browne tried a jumping front kick that came short as Antonio Silva just stepped back, just out of reach. Still Travis Browne was in his element: light on his feet, bouncing and shuffling, while Antonio Silva was on guard, hands up high and biding his time to counter strike.

At more than two minutes into the fight, Travis Browne tried several unorthodox kicks: low, front and side aiming for Bigfoot's knees and shin. But Antonio Silva kicked, punched forward and attempted a takedown but was met with a high knee to the stomach while coming in. Still, Antonio Silva was not deterred and cornered Travis Browne on the side of the cage as Bigfoot employed his own trick of the trade -- trying to stump Browne's feet with his big feet for some time.

The turning point came at approximately the three minute mark when Travis Browne tweaked his left knee while trying to mount an inside attack. Less than 5 seconds later, Travis Browne unleashed a left that was easily blocked by Antonio Silva. The Brazilian retaliated with a front kick that landed on Travis Browne's breadbasket but found himself on the seat of his pants from the recoil.

Travis Browne tried his best to put up a fight, but fighting on just one good leg is just futile against a hungry and determined veteran. Travis Browne tried to adjust by turning southpaw, hiding his bad leg to no avail. Browne ate a right counter from Bigfoot as he also continuously targeted Browne's bad leg, while slowly but surely invading his opponent's comfort zone. Bigfoot stalked his prey while Browne slowly backpedaled...

Shortly thereafter, mayhem fell on Travis Browne.

And when the dust finally settled, Travis Browne saw his unbeaten run halted in 3:27 of the first round when he got caught with a right sledgehammer to the jaw that sent shockwaves to his brain, his eyes rolling and reeling from the power, he sank sideways to the canvas wherein Bigfoot pounced on him and pounded his head with short blows and quick hammers, prompting referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the beatdown.

Antonio "Pezão" Silva stamped his class over an obviously dejected Travis Browne. Thus, Antonio Silva finally won a UFC fight and improved his record to 1-1 in the UFC ; 17-4, 12 KOs overall, moving into contention in the heavyweight division.

With the first setback of his 15-fight pro career, Travis Browne needs to go back to the drawing boards and work out more on his game so as to reverse his fortune whenever he steps up his opposition. He was held to a draw by Cheick Kongo at UFC 120 in October 2010.

Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

Gross vs. Sugiman-Marangos Confirmed for The Score Fighting Series

TORONTO, September 17, 2012 – Two more fights have been confirmed for The Score Fighting Series (SFS) event Sarnia, Ontario on Friday, October 19^th. Jesse “The Ghost” Gross will battle Seiji Sugiman-Marangos in a main card featherweight tilt while Joel Paquette will take on Ronnie Phillips in a preliminary bout.

Gross (6-3) is an SFS veteran who started his career with six straight wins but has since dropped his last three. His most recent loss was to Daron Cruikshank, who went on to compete in the Ultimate Fighter and is now in the UFC. 

Originally from Wallaceburg, Ontario, Gross will have strong local support at his first fight since taking time off to hone his skills at the Adrenaline Training Centre in London, Ontario where he works out alongside UFC veterans Chris Clements, Mark Hominick and Sam Stout as well as SFS competitors Jesse Ronson and Chris Horodecki. This has led to a leaner physique and a new weight class resulting in his first fight at featherweight.

Jesse Gross

A very well rounded fighter, Gross is known for pushing the pace and brutal ground and pound with all six of his wins coming via T/KO. He predicted a similar outcome for his fight with Sugiman-Marangos.
”Someone needs to have Tylenol on standby because Seiji’s going to have one hell of a headache when he regains consciousness after this fight,” he said.

Sugiman-Marangos was born and raised in Toronto but has spent the last nine years living in Hamilton, Ontario where he attends McMaster University. He is currently in the final year of a PhD in biochemistry.

“Despite his recent hiccups, Jesse is a very dangerous opponent and I’m very excited to be facing him in October,” he said. “This fight hearkens back to the early days of Canadian MMA as we are two young fighters coming out of two of the oldest MMA camps in Ontario."
 

Seiji Sugiman-Marangos

Sugiman-Marangos has been training with Shah Franco for the past seven years at Shah Franco Martial Arts/Innercity MMA and with Marco Costa of Body of Four BJJ. Inside the cage he sports a 5-1 record and is on a four-fight win streak. Outside of MMA, Sugiman-Marangos has competed extensively in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, where he won the Ontario Provincial Championships at Purple belt in 2009 and Brown/Black in 2011.  He also took second place at Naga Toronto 2011 and won a superfight against Shaun Krysa on the SubX show, also in 2011. He is currently a Brown belt in BJJ.

In undercard action Joel Paquette (0-1) will be competing for the first time since a submission loss to Jason Meisel in December. Ronnie Phillips (0-1) will also be looking for his first win after being TKOed by Oliver Vadnais in April.

Gross and Sugiman-Marangos joins Lyndon Whitlock and Rick Glenn on the main card for the event, which will be televised live in Canada on theScore Television Network and in the US on AXS TV beginning 10:00pm EST. Tickets are on sale now starting at $29.95 and can be purchased through the RBC Centre box office and rbccentresarnia.com. Additional fights will be announced soon.

CASIO QUIZ LAUNCHES LATEST LIMITED EDITION RED BULL RACING EDIFICE WATCH IN MONZA

 

Monza, 6 September 2012: Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Casio hosted a quiz-based launch for the EQS-A500RB, the latest Limited Edition EDIFICE watch built in partnership with Red Bull Racing.

 

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing’s double F1™ World Champion, Team Principal Christian Horner, and former Formula One drivers Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert all participated in the ‘Speed and Intelligence’ quiz, designed to test the contestants’ knowledge of their sport. Hosted by comedian Tom Goodliffe, the quiz consisted of a multitude of challenges from an audio test to a cards round. All rounds were against the clock – with an oversized Casio EDIFICE EQS-A500RB used as the official time keeping device.

 

The EQS-A500RB, which will be available to buy later this year, boasts a variety of features including Smart Access Technology, solar power and 10 bar water resistance.

 

To convey Red Bull Racing’s image, the team’s trademark red and blue colouring has been incorporated into the dials, bezel and hands of the watch, whilst the Red Bull Racing logo is prominently displayed on the watch face.

 

Casio has been a proud partner of Red Bull Racing since 2009 and will continue to be its watch sponsor for the rest of this season and next. Red Bull Racing has a youthful, energetic image, but also pursues an intelligent strategy that strives to leverage outstanding technological developments to make its race cars the fastest in the world. This goes hand in hand with EDIFICE’s brand concept of speed and intelligence, hence the theme of the quiz.

 

Speaking at the launch, Toshiharu Okimuro, Casio Deputy Senior General Manager said: “Building upon the excellent working relationship that Casio EDIFICE and Red Bull Racing share, the EDIFICE EQS-A500RB emphasizes the traits that the two brands have in common: Speed and Intelligence together with accuracy – all without sacrificing style.”

 

Sebastian Vettel commented: “The watch shares the same attributes that Red Bull Racing need for success - precision, speed and of course the highest level of technology in our racing cars. It’s also a great weight and not too heavy on my wrist!”

 

Christian Horner added: “The watch strikes a nice balance between design and function – the Red Bull Racing visual identity is incorporated into the watch face, whilst its speed and precision embodies the team’s ethos.”

Press Release: FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPION SEBASTIAN VETTEL STARS IN MUSIC VIDEO

Hong Kong, August 30th, 2012:  Double Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel has taken on a driving job with a difference - starring in a music video with Double Grammy-winning US R&B star and protégé of Jay-Z, Melanie Fiona.

The Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti Global Ambassador plays a central part in the official global music video for Fiona’s track ‘Watch Me Work’, from her album ‘The MF Life’ on Universal Records. The high-energy piece, set in downtown New York, sees Vettel play a modern day James Dean character searching to find an underground location for Fiona and her band to perform. Vettel emerges driving a red Infiniti G37 convertible to an enormous warehouse space, powering up the lights and the sound system, and taking control of the volume. Happy with his work, Vettel’s character departs the scene and is seen driving into the Manhattan sunrise.

The video is the latest in the ‘Infiniti Inspired Performers’ series, which sees Red Bull Racing drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber collaborating with other top performers in different disciplines. It was shot on location in New Jersey in June when Vettel drove the proposed New Jersey F1 Circuit. The 25 year-old German driver also took the opportunity to take the R&B star on a high-speed lap of the circuit, where she got a taste of his high performance world.

It’s the first time that Canadian-born Melanie Fiona has featured a sports star in one of her videos. She is no stranger to collaborations though, having worked with Jay-Z, co-written songs with Rihanna and toured with Kanye West amongst others. She is also no stranger to Inspired Performance – her family have owned Infiniti cars for years meaning Melanie has grown up with the brand.

Commenting on the video, Sebastian Vettel said: “It was a great experience to shoot a music video, and certainly very different to what I’m used to. But music is without question an inspiration to many and I’m very proud to have been part of this. I think the lyrics are quite fitting to what we can all do if we put our mind to it”

Melanie Fiona added: “It’s not often you get the chance to be driven by an F1 World Champion and when the opportunity came up to have Seb driving me in the video I was like, yes please! This is one of my favourite songs and one that I’ve been wanting to put out for a while so to have him involved was great.”

 

Press Release: SEBASTIAN VETTEL BECOMES FIRST FORMULA ONE STAR TO DRIVE THE NEW JERSEY CIRCUIT

 

New Jersey, New York – June 13th, 2012: Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel made Formula One history on Monday by becoming the first F1 driver to sample the recently announced Grand Prix Circuit in New Jersey.

Following an inspired performance in the Canadian Grand Prix yesterday, the Red Bull Racing star and Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador drove the street circuit in an Infiniti IPL G Coupe road car ahead of the highly anticipated Grand Prix of America, due to take place in 2013.

 

Vettel was joined by former Grand Prix winner David Coulthard as the pair completed a number of passenger rides against the iconic Manhattan skyline, set to be a major feature of the race next year.

 

Leo Hindery, Race Promoter and Keith St. Clair, Director-Infiniti USA Marketing Communications and Media joined Sebastian for a press conference following the demonstration drives.    

 

A Video News Release package is available now featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Sebastian Vettel. It is available in formats suitable for both broadcast and online media:

Go to: www.infiniti-performanceteam.com/video 

Additional behind-the-scenes features and highlights from Infiniti Formula One are available on the Infiniti Inspired Blog, available here:

www.infiniti-performanceteam.com/blog  

 

Since the 2011 season Infiniti has been a major partner of the Red Bull Racing team and in 2012 the relationship has been deepened with Infiniti featuring even more prominently on the Red Bull Racing RB8 and the overalls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Last year Sebastian Vettel was appointed Infiniti’s first ever Global Brand Ambassador.

 

About Infiniti:

Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, reflects its brand promise “Inspired Performance” with a model line-up of sedans, coupes, SUVs and crossovers featuring exhilarating performance, emotive design and cutting edge technology. Infiniti continues to launch across the globe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres that share a commitment to exceptional hospitality throughout the entire period of ownership.

 

For more information, see www.infiniti.com

 

Press Release: Nicole Lyons Throttles To Top Ten Ranking in NHRA Top Sportsman D2

Atlanta, GA (June 4, 2012) - Nicole Lyons, female NHRA Race Car Driver, is midway into the coveted 2012 NHRA Top Sportsman Division 2 series and is ranked in the top ten. Lyons gained 30 points in her Norwalk, Ohio race last month, putting her currently in the number ten slot out of 28 racers per the NHRA website. This roadster plans to race in her home division on June 22-23, 2012 at the Atlanta Dragway with the hopes to gain momentum to the top position of the series.

“I am so happy to be ranked in the Top Ten midway into the season, especially after missing two events due to our new engine being built. Having the crank shaft break in my old engine during a test session in South Carolina was a bit of a set back but it really speaks volumes for our team being able to bounce back. I believe after our next NHRA race in June, we can bump our way into the Top 5 and then go after the 2012 championship. If any team can do it, it’s our team,” Lyons states.

Recently, Lyons has added Royal Purple and Steve Schmidt Racing Engines to her list of sponsors for this season. Lyons is the only woman currently racing NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Sportsman Division 2 and the only African American woman to have raced NHRA Top Sportsman.
“I’m thankful to have Royal Purple and Steve Schmidt in my corner and their products has excellent performance,” Lyons comments.



About Nicole Lyons: Nicole Lyons, 5’6” exotic beauty, has been a part of the National Hot Rod Association since 2005; it was her previous record-breaking performance that gained her the membership of NHRA. Lyons is one of the few drag racers that has the ability to build and design her own engines. Lyons is also known for her stunning role on SPEED network’s “Car Warriors”. Nicole Lyons has already been featured on several news outlets including NBC Nightly News w/ Brian Williams, FOX, CBS, Tyra Banks, Drag Illustrated Magazine, RIDES Magazine, G4TV, and many more. She is what critics are calling “The Jackie Robinson of Drag Racing.”

About National Hot Rod Association (NHRA): “Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 23 national events featuring the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates five racing facilities: Auto Plus Raceway at Gainesville, Florida; Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; National Trail Raceway in Ohio; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.”

UFC 146: Junior dos Santos shoots down Frank Mir

In front of a wild cheering crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, UFC Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos dealt former two-time UFC heavyweight title holder a beat down to retain his belt. Frank Mir, a submission expert, failed to capitalize on his expertise against the heavy-handed Brazilian. Instead, Mir elected to play into dos Santos' gameplan and paid the price.

Frank Mir failed to take the fight to the ground, a milieu where dos Santos was untested wherein he has a greater shot of upsetting the champion. After a failed takedown attempt right at the start of the fight, he elected to trade blows with Junior dos Santos, a decision that proved costly to his cause.

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Dan Wheldon honored in Motor City

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who died from injuries suffered in a crash at the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, was honored posthumously with the Borg-Warner Championship Drivers' Trophy in Detroit.

The trophy, which is a replica of the Borg-Warner trophy, is usually given to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 each year as a personal keepsake, since the original trophy, unlike other racing competitions, 'does not go home' with the winner after its presentation. It is returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, where it stays permanently until the next ceremony.

The 'Baby Borg' was presented to his wife, Susie, by Borg-Warner Chairman and CEO Tim Manganello at the Automotive News World Congress, held in conjunction with the Detroit International Auto Show.

“Anyone who knew Dan or heard him speak about the Indy 500 knew how passionate he was about this race. He loved everything about it. I don’t have to tell you how happy it made Dan to win his second Indianapolis 500. Anyone who was there that day or watched on TV could see how absolutely fulfilled and joyful he was. So much so that he laid down on the track, drenched in milk, with feet up in the air and fists pumping, soaking it all in. His face will be forever etched on this special trophy, but his legacy will reach far beyond," said Susie Wheldon about her late husband's second Indianapolis 500 victory on May 29, 2011.

Here's the video of Dan Wheldon's last moments on the track on that fateful day in October 2011 in Las Vegas --