UFC 100 Fan Expo

As part of its push to create a unique atmosphere for what shapes up to be the biggest event in company history, the UFC announced several details for a Fan Expo to be held July 10-11 at the Mandalay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The expo will include, among other attractions, a grappling tournament featuring MMA’s original submission sensations, a ring card girl competition and the public unveiling of the 16-member cast of Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The UFC announced pairings for the Grapplers Quest matchups that will take place July 10. Rumina Sato, a cornerstone of Shooto and one of the pioneers of submission MMA fighting, will grapple with Ulysses Gomez, a three-time North American Grappling Association champion and gold medal-winning Pankration grappler. Gomez also competes in the Palace Fighting Championship’s flyweight division. Also, WEC veteran and four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Fredson Paixao will grapple Jeff Glover, while UFC lightweight Joe Stevenson will grapple Bill Cooper.

In the midst of filming for the reality show, the entire cast of “The Ultimate Fighter 10” will be on hand at the expo, which will include the first public appearance of Kimbo Slice at a UFC function. While the UFC has yet to announce names, several reports have listed the full TUF 10 cast as Ferguson, Roy Nelson, Darrill Schoonover, Justin Wren, Brendan Schaub, Marcus Jones, Wes Sims, Abe Wagner, Zak Jensen, Matt Mitrione, Wes Shivers, Mike Wessel, Scott Junk, Jim York, Jon Madsen and Tom Blackledge.

In addition, the UFC will partner with Maxim magazine for a competition to select a new UFC ring card girl. UFC fighters and Maxim editors will vote on a winner, who will receive a UFC contract. Ring card girls will not be the only runway walkers at the expo, as a host of UFC fighters, plus Eddie Alvarez and Renzo Gracie, will sport MMA apparel as part of a July 10 fashion show called “Cage Fashion II.” The UFC will also unveil its new line of action figures, licensed through Jakks Pacific.