(PRESS RELEASE) -- Following another successful, fan-packed Toronto event in June, Mixed Martial Arts Expo - The Original MMA Expo since 2005 - announced today its expansion into the USA though a co-location agreement with the popular Philadelphia Sports Extravaganza. The events will take place at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia , PA on the weekend of January 9-10, 2010.

MMA Expo president, Gerald Chopik, views this as a win-win scenario for all involved. “We were looking for the right opportunity to enter the US market and the Philadelphia Sports Extravaganza offered us an established multi-facetted event that already draws upwards of 10,000. There are a number of intersecting circles between our events, and the opportunity to work together to the benefit of sports enthusiasts and MMA fans was very appealing.”

MMA is the fastest growing sport on the planet and MMA Expo is proud of its proven track record of delivering a high-energy event jam-packed with name-brand exhibitors, exciting tournaments, enthusiastic spectators and some of the most recognizable MMA celebrities in the business. “We first launched the MMA Expo five years ago and it’s exciting to watch the concept grow. Credit where due, the UFC has almost single-handedly built the sport of MMA into what it is today. And were it not for their past efforts there would not be an MMA Expo . But even the UFC held a Fan Expo in July mirroring our concept. MMA Expo makes for a great weekend and the Philly event is going to be a blast.”

Even on its own the Philadelphia Sports Extravaganza includes over a dozen popular events including the North American Strongman Competition, Weightlifting Competition, USA Arm Wrestling Competition, Boxing Championships and the USA Karate Open produced by Tokey Hill, six-time National Karate Champion and Guinness Book World Record holder.

“MMA Expo brings a whole new side to an already action-packed Philly Sports Expo. MMA is not only mainstream now, it’s a lifestyle”, states Chopik. “As the combative sports area of the Philadelphia Sports Extravaganza, when you enter the MMA Expo section you’ll find Boxing, Tokey Hill’s USA Karate Open, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling Tournaments produced by On The Mat, an octagon-ring and tons of exhibitors with the latest in MMA apparel, MMA gear, MMA training facilities as well as health, wellness and nutrition.”

With the recent legalization of MMA in Pennsylvania plans are also underway to hold an MMA Fight Night on the show floor on Saturday night front-ended by an MMA celebrity meet-n-greet dinner for fight fans. All-in-all the Philly Sports Extravaganza is shaping up to be a great weekend for MMA enthusiasts.

The show hours are Saturday, January 9th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted for free. Tickets purchased in advance online at are priced at $15. Visit www.phillyexpo.info for a full listing of events. All events including MMA Expo are included in the general admission to the show.