Canadians Alessio and Fraser to headline event
TORONTO, November 22nd, 2011 – Score Media Inc. (TSX: SCR) today announces that The Score Fighting Series (SFS) will be partnering with Avant-Guard Promotions for the first professional MMA event in the history of Sarnia, Ontario. The card will take place Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 at the RBC Centre and is scheduled for ten fights.
Two marquee match-ups have officially been confirmed with MMA veterans John Alessio and Ryan Healy slated to lock horns and Sarnia’s John Fraser set to take on submission master Travis Reddinger. The entire card will be streamed live on theScore.com with commentary by The Score Fighting Series’ broadcast team of Mauro Ranallo and Robin Black. The fights will also be replayed on theScore Television Network.
"The city of Sarnia has been waiting a long time to host an MMA card and it just wouldn’t be possible to put on such an amazing event without the help of The Score Fighting Series," says Woodrow James, CEO, Avant-Guard Promotions. “I am thrilled that fans from across the country and around the world will be able to see our homegrown athletes in action. December 3rd is a date you want to mark on your calendar.”
“We couldn’t be happier to be a part of this event. It offers a solid mix of veterans and rising stars in evenly matched fights,” says Brendan Fyfe, Director, The Score Fighting Series. “A number of guys on the card have fought in the Series before but they were always in someone else’s backyard. Fighters like John Fraser always come to entertain and it will be amazing to see him compete in front of a hometown crowd.”
MMA fans will be able to see two of the best fighters in the world not currently signed to a major U.S. promotion in the Healy-Alessio match-up. Always exciting to watch and incredibly well-rounded, Alessio’s record of 33-14 includes ten victories by TKO/KO and 15 via submission. Healy (19-9-1) has competed in Strikeforce and the WEC and is a member of Team Quest where he trains under MMA legend Matt Lindland and UFC® star Chael Sonnen. Like his twin brother Pat, Healy has solid skills on the ground but prefers to use his grappling prowess to keep fights standing.
Born and raised in Sarnia, John Fraser (9-3) has gone undefeated in all five of his SFS appearances and will look to make it six in a row at the expense of Travis Reddinger. Known for his relentless attacking style and dominant wrestling, Fraser will look to pressure his opponent until he sees an opening that could end Reddinger’s night. Reddinger (16-3) will be looking to spoil the local hero’s homecoming and has the ground game to match Fraser’s with over 60% of his victories coming by submission.
Tickets start at $40 and are available at the RBC Centre box office and online at www.rbccentresarnia.com.
