(PRESS RELEASE) -- With the sport of mixed martial arts growing at a rapid rate, one would think being considered the best fighter in the world would make you a hot commodity.

However, things are still slow to develop for the women competing in the sport. Just ask Tara LaRosa, who is generally recognized as the top competitor with a flashy 15-1 record.

"Right now, women's mma has hit a drought... kinda like the economy," LaRosa said. "There are few outlets for us experienced fighters to show what we can do... so I'm excited to get back into the cage and knock some of the ring rust off."

LaRosa will get the opportunity to showcase her talents Friday evening at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., when she takes on Canadian champion Alexis Davis (6-1) in the main event of Extreme Challenge: War at the Shore.

Preliminary fights of the 10-bout card begin at 9 p.m. and tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets and the Tropicana Box Office.

LaRosa, from Woodstown, N.J., has not fought in almost 14 months, while Davis has fought four times -- all wins -- in the same period.

"This will be a great test for me... as we are supposed to have about the same ground skills," LaRosa said. "I have more experience, but she has been fighting consistently while I've been sitting. I'm really looking forward to getting back in there."

The bout is being contested at a catch weight of 130 pounds.

"This fight will demonstrate how technical women's mma is in the world today," said Davis' trainer Dave Dayboll. "We agreed to fight not so much for the money, but for the love of competition. We expect a three-round war with whoever can capitalize on a mistake being victorious."

Davis is a black belt in Dayboll Jiu-Jitsu and a 4th-stripe purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Royler Gracie and David Adiv. She has won six straight pro bouts and is the Canadian Open grappling champion.

The theme for the event is East vs. Midwest as nine of the bouts feature up-and-coming fighters from the East Coast facing counterparts from Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio.

At intermission, Philadelphia sensation Eddie Alvarez will receive his award for "Fight of the Year" by Sherdog.com.

EXTREME CHALLENGE 'War at the Shore'
Jan. 23, 2009 * Tropicana Casino & Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J.

Jon Meyer (5-3) vs. Craig Kaufman (6-1) 175
Nat McIntyre (4-1) vs. Tuan Pham (0-0) 135
Dan Stittgen (0-0) vs. Greg Killian (1-0) 170
Mike Powell (6-1) vs. Sidemar Honorio (2-0) 135
Josh Barnes (2-1) vs. Sherman Pendergarst (11-9) Hwt.
Justin Robbins (10-5) vs. Zach Makovsky (4-1) 135
Kamal Shalorus (2-0) vs. Jonathan Evans (1-0) 170
Rodrigo Pinheiro (3-0) vs. Steven Williams (0-0) 185
Edward O'Daniel (5-2) vs. Charlie Brenneman (6-1) 170

MAIN EVENT
Alexis Davis (6-1) vs. Tara LaRosa (15-1) 130