North American MMA Expo coming to Anaheim Dec. 1-2
November 2nd, 2007, 4:00 pm · 1 Comment · posted by CARLOS ARIAS
The first North American Mixed Martial Arts Expo is coming to Orange County from Dec. 1-2 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Brian Jaus, the owner and manager of the North American MMA Expo, has spent the past three months putting together partners and getting MMA fighters, clothing and equipment companies together.
"This event is very much about unity," Jaus said. "We have found through this event that people who are normally enemies within the industry have come together and are working together to make this happen.
"We also are sending a message to mainstream America that mixed martial arts is the next big thing. We will haave mainstream adoption really soon."
Jaus said he signed five-time UFC champion Randy Couture on Wednesday night to be the headliner of the event.
"He (Couture) will be the face of the (North American) Mixed Martial Arts Expo," Jaus said.
UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson of Irvine, former UFC light-heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz of Huntington Beach, "The Ultimate Fighter 1" winner Forrest Griffin and TUF 2 star Keith Jardine are among the growing list of fighters set to attend the event.
The International Fight League, King of the Cage and BodogFight are among the first organizations to confirm their involvement with the event and more are expected to join.
Punishment Athletics, TapouT, Warrior Wear, Sinister and Throwdown are among the MMA clothing lines that will be at the event.
No Limits MMA & Fitness in Irvine will sponsor a grappling tournament in conjunction with the expo.
Rockstar Energy Drink signed on as the official energy drink sponsor of the event. Harley Davidson also has signed on.
Jaus will hold the event at the 220,000-square-foot hall at the Anaheim Convention Center.
"This expo is really taking off and we believe it's going to be one of the largest events in MMA history," Jaus said.
To check out the North American MMA Expo web site, click here.
CARLOS ARIAS/The Register
Sounds like a great event, a lot of well known fighters will be in attendance. Looking forward to it.