NO LIMITS Grappling Trials
BIGGEST NAMES IN MMA CONVERGE AT NO LIMITS FOR OFFICIAL WORLD TEAM
GRAPPLING TRIAL QUALIFIER MATCHES
Hundreds will Fight, Only the Toughest will Make it Through for the Opportunity to Represent their Country at the Most Important International Grappling Competition in the World
Saturday, May 10 ■ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ■ 1962 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, Calif.
WHAT: No Limits, the largest mixed martial arts academy and event center in North America, and USA Wrestling's National Training Center for Grappling and Sombo, will host the first and final of twelve qualifying events held across the United States to determine the field for the 2008 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials.
These USA Wrestling-sanctioned qualifiers will identify the best grapplers in the United States - including every weight class of men, women and children aged 14 and up. Top placing fighters will have the opportunity to try out for the 2008 U.S. Grappling World Team, which will compete against more than 50 countries at the prestigious Grappling World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, December 20-21.
HISTORICAL SIGNFICANCE: USA Wrestling started a grappling program in 2007, after the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) formally recognized the sport - a new hybrid wrestling style, also known as submission wrestling, through which control of an opponent is established without the use of striking, and by utilizing submission holds and maneuvers.
The first U.S. World Team, sponsored by No Limits, traveled to Antalya, Turkey and in a historic performance, came home with all nine gold medals from the 2007 FILA World Wrestling Games. This year, FILA has announced that the Grappling World Championships will be held separately from other styles of wrestling, spotlighting the new sport with its first dedicated world event.
LOCAL TREND ANGLE: Orange County has become a hub for one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States: mixed martial arts (MMA). The sport is taking the United States by storm - and it is starting in Orange County at No Limits in Irvine, Calif. The controversial sport has gone from being considered taboo and barbaric, to achieving widespread acceptance in only a few short years.
In fact, the sport is now internationally recognized and generates more revenue than any other pay-per-view event. It also is currently being considered as an Olympic event, and this spring CBS will bring the sport to primetime television with a series of live two-hour Saturday night "cage fighting" specials.
WHEN: Saturday, May 10. A series of 6-minute matches will be ongoing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: No Limits, 1962 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, Calif.
OPPORTUNITIES: Spotlight the exponential growth and escalating popularity of this sport by taking a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the U.S. World Grappling Team:
• Cameras are invited onto the mats, into the ring, and inside the cage with the champs of MMA.
• Reporters can interact with world-renowned prize fighters and their acclaimed trainers, as well as hundreds of amateurs hoping for their "big break."
ABOUT NO LIMITS: An epicenter of the MMA phenomenon can be found at No Limits, North America's largest mixed martial arts academy and professional event center. The advanced, all-inclusive facility is home to champion trainers whose MMA achievements translate into expert coaching and individual attention for No Limits' members.
These award-winning pros lead No Limits' classes in kickboxing, muay thai, boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, sombo and grappling. No Limits also boasts MMA-specific equipment including an impressive boxing/kickboxing ring and regulation cage, 6,000-square-feet of mats, 100 heavy and light bags, a full weight room with free weights and iron grip plates, and an array of cardio machines. An additional benefit of the facility is a fully-equipped on-site sports medicine center led by an industry-leading "fight doc," Dr. William Kessler.
The center is equipped with technologically-advanced therapeutic and rehabilitation equipment, and offers sports medicine and rehabilitation, therapeutic massage and chiropractic services. In addition, the site features a retail store with all the gear and equipment needed for novices through professionals, as well as a complete stock of nutritional supplements. No Limits regularly broadcasts professional fights and is open for executive events, sponsored competitive fights and youth events. (www.nolimitsmma.com)
Hundreds will Fight, Only the Toughest will Make it Through for the Opportunity to Represent their Country at the Most Important International Grappling Competition in the World
Saturday, May 10 ■ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ■ 1962 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, Calif.
WHAT: No Limits, the largest mixed martial arts academy and event center in North America, and USA Wrestling's National Training Center for Grappling and Sombo, will host the first and final of twelve qualifying events held across the United States to determine the field for the 2008 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials.
These USA Wrestling-sanctioned qualifiers will identify the best grapplers in the United States - including every weight class of men, women and children aged 14 and up. Top placing fighters will have the opportunity to try out for the 2008 U.S. Grappling World Team, which will compete against more than 50 countries at the prestigious Grappling World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, December 20-21.
HISTORICAL SIGNFICANCE: USA Wrestling started a grappling program in 2007, after the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) formally recognized the sport - a new hybrid wrestling style, also known as submission wrestling, through which control of an opponent is established without the use of striking, and by utilizing submission holds and maneuvers.
The first U.S. World Team, sponsored by No Limits, traveled to Antalya, Turkey and in a historic performance, came home with all nine gold medals from the 2007 FILA World Wrestling Games. This year, FILA has announced that the Grappling World Championships will be held separately from other styles of wrestling, spotlighting the new sport with its first dedicated world event.
LOCAL TREND ANGLE: Orange County has become a hub for one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States: mixed martial arts (MMA). The sport is taking the United States by storm - and it is starting in Orange County at No Limits in Irvine, Calif. The controversial sport has gone from being considered taboo and barbaric, to achieving widespread acceptance in only a few short years.
In fact, the sport is now internationally recognized and generates more revenue than any other pay-per-view event. It also is currently being considered as an Olympic event, and this spring CBS will bring the sport to primetime television with a series of live two-hour Saturday night "cage fighting" specials.
WHEN: Saturday, May 10. A series of 6-minute matches will be ongoing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: No Limits, 1962 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, Calif.
OPPORTUNITIES: Spotlight the exponential growth and escalating popularity of this sport by taking a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make the U.S. World Grappling Team:
• Cameras are invited onto the mats, into the ring, and inside the cage with the champs of MMA.
• Reporters can interact with world-renowned prize fighters and their acclaimed trainers, as well as hundreds of amateurs hoping for their "big break."
ABOUT NO LIMITS: An epicenter of the MMA phenomenon can be found at No Limits, North America's largest mixed martial arts academy and professional event center. The advanced, all-inclusive facility is home to champion trainers whose MMA achievements translate into expert coaching and individual attention for No Limits' members.
These award-winning pros lead No Limits' classes in kickboxing, muay thai, boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, sombo and grappling. No Limits also boasts MMA-specific equipment including an impressive boxing/kickboxing ring and regulation cage, 6,000-square-feet of mats, 100 heavy and light bags, a full weight room with free weights and iron grip plates, and an array of cardio machines. An additional benefit of the facility is a fully-equipped on-site sports medicine center led by an industry-leading "fight doc," Dr. William Kessler.
The center is equipped with technologically-advanced therapeutic and rehabilitation equipment, and offers sports medicine and rehabilitation, therapeutic massage and chiropractic services. In addition, the site features a retail store with all the gear and equipment needed for novices through professionals, as well as a complete stock of nutritional supplements. No Limits regularly broadcasts professional fights and is open for executive events, sponsored competitive fights and youth events. (www.nolimitsmma.com)
