Chase Beebe Fails to Show for Official Weigh-in; Scratched from MAN “O” WAR Card

Mike “The Hulk” Easton to face H.I.T. Squad’s Justin Robbins for UWC Bantamweight Championship Title

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Chase Beebe failed to show for today’s weigh-in and is officially out of Saturday’s UWC – MAN “O” WAR Bantamweight Championship title bout against Mike “The Hulk” Easton at Patriot Center. Beebe has been replaced by H.I.T. (Hughes Intensive Training) Squad’s Justin Robbins for the Main Event’s title fight.

Beebe allegedly sustained a knee injury that hampered his training and ability to reduce his weight to the contractually-set limit of 135 pounds. However, the former WEC champion failed to provide medical records regarding his injury and did not appear at today’s official weigh-in, resulting in the UWC finding a last-minute replacement.

“We are extremely disappointed that Chase failed to show up today to compete at MAN “O” WAR and equally frustrated by the way this entire situation has played out,” said Ultimate Warrior Sports Development CEO Marcello Foran. “We were aware that he was having troubling cutting weight earlier this week, but never received any official medical documentation about the severity or extent of an injury that would force him to pull out of the show which is required in his contract.”

Beebe missed his Thursday morning flight from Illinois to Washington, DC and failed to post at today’s official weigh-in. He has not communicated directly with any UWC official to alert them of his decision. UWC plans to hold Beebe legally accountable and Virginia’s sanctioning body, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, plans to impose sanctions against the fighter.

“While this situation is certainly disappointing to everyone, I promise that MAN “O” WAR will live up to everyone’s high expectation as the biggest and best MMA show to hit the National Capital region,” continued Foran about the UWC’s third Washington DC area event. “Every single fighter participating tomorrow will give 100-percent and my hat certainly goes off to Justin and Mike for their professionalism for agreeing to the championship fight at last minute.”

Beebe’s camp through trainer Marc Fiore informed UWC officials this past Tuesday night that the 24-year old fighter was having trouble making weight due to an apparent knee injury suffered in training camp. Beebe’s camp asked Easton's team if they would be willing to allow Beebe to fight at a higher weight of 145 pounds, mentioning the possibility that Beebe might not be able to compete at 135 pounds on Saturday. A one pound concession to 136 pounds was granted to Beebe by UWC officials. Beebe’s contract with the UWC requires the fighter to be medically evaluated by a UWC-approved physician in the event of injury that would prevent him from participating. At mid-week, UWC officials began working on a contingency replacement as a result of their conversations with Beebe’s camp.

Known for his heart and strong work ethics Robbins has been training at H.I.T. Squad with nine-time UFC champion Matt Hughes ever since his bosses’ bout with George St. Pierre. Robbins, 27, is 13-6-1 and has competed at a highest level in Elite XC and in WEC 29.

UWC 5: MAN "O" WAR will be co-headlined by a light heavyweight battle between Antwain “The Juggernaut” Britt vs. Jamal “The Suit” Patterson, as well as seven other high level fights. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the first fight is at 7:30pm. Tickets for the event are available via Ticketmaster and at the door. For more information, visit www.uwcmma.com.

The Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC) is the Mid-Atlantic region's leader in providing fans with the best, most competitive and highest quality professional mixed martial arts (MMA) events. In addition to featuring elite fighters from the top MMA teams across the country, UWC also showcases and builds the careers of the many top pro fighters from the leading Virginia, DC and Maryland teams and gyms by giving them an opportunity and platform to challenge the very best in their highly competitive hometown area. UWC's fighters and events will serve as the catalyst for turning the Mid-Atlantic region into a powerful and highly-regarded MMA east coast destination. For more, please visit www.uwcmma.com.

Official Weights Kris “Savage” McCray Fight #1 Manny Okorie
182 lbs. Weight 183-3/4 lbs.
Gold Medal Grappling Association Team Yamasaki
Woodbridge, Virginia Fighting out of Rockville, Maryland
(1-0) MMA Record (Pro Debut)

Levon “The Main Man” Maynard Fight #2 Kyle “The Alleycat” Baker
171 lbs. Weight 170-1/4 lbs.
Global Martial Arts Academy Association MMA Institute
Virginia Beach, Virginia Fighting out of Harrisonburg, Virginia
(4-3) MMA Record (8-4)

Iman “Mannie” Achhal Fight #3 Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig
120-1/4 lbs. Weight 120-3/4 lbs.
Capital Jiu-Jitsu Association H.I.T. Squad
Sterling, Virginia Fighting out of Chicago, Illinois
(Pro Debut) MMA Record (Pro Debut)

John Doyle Fight #4 Cody “Donnybrook” Donovan
205 lbs. Weight 206 lbs.
LionHeart MMA Association High Altitude Martial Arts
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Fighting out of Denver, Colorado
(6-4) MMA Record (3-1)

Herbert “Whisper or Gorilla” Goodman Fight #5 Ron “The Choir Boy” Stallings
184-1/2 lbs. Weight 185-1/2 lbs
HIT Squad Association Team Lloyd Irvin
Green Bay, Wisconsin Fighting out of Baltimore, Maryland
(8-4) MMA Record (6-3-1)

Richie "The Dirty Samurai" Hightower Fight #6 Marcus Foran
185 lbs Weight 186 lbs.
Genesis MMA Association Team Greg Jackson
Phoenix, Arizona Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico
(7-3) MMA Record (5-2)

Jose “The Pistol” Villarisco Fight #7 John "The Magician" Dodson
124-3/4 lbs. Weight 124-3/4 lbs.
Team Lloyd Irvin Association Team Greg Jackson
Virginia Beach, Virginia Fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico
(Pro Debut) MMA Record (6-3)

Jamal ‘The Suit” Patterson Co-Main Event #8 Antwain “The Juggernaut” Britt
206 lbs. Weight 206 lbs.
Gracie Academy Virginia AssociationHybrid Academy/MMA Institute
New York, New York Fighting out of Virginia Beach, Virginia
(4-2) MMA Record (8-0)

Justin Robbins Main Event #9 Mike “The Hulk” Easton
135-1/2 lbs. Weight 135-3/4 lbs.
H.I.T. Squad Association Team Lloyd Irvin
Granite City, Illinois Fighting out of Washington, D.C.
(13-6-1) MMA Record (6-1)

Bouts subject to change
First fight to start at 7:30pm