UFC FAN EXPO TO FEATURE TWO MEMBERS OF LEGENDARY GRACIE FAMILY IN GRAPPLING SUPERFIGHTS
Rolles Gracie vs. Roberto Abreu
Gregor Gracie vs. Pablo Popovitch
Hermes Franca vs. Ryan Hall
Penny Thomas vs. Tracey Goodell
They are known for putting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the map. Using revolutionary techniques that changed the face of combat sports forever, the legendary Gracie family consists of some of the best grapplers in the world. Now, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship® prepares for its debut in the city of Boston, the Gracie family returns with its sights set on further solidifying its grappling domination.
UFC President Dana White announced today that the UFC® FAN EXPO™ in Boston will feature four grappling superfights, two of which will feature high-level black belts Rolles Gracie and Gregor Gracie of the Renzo Gracie Academy based out of New York City.
On Friday, Aug. 27 at 2PM ET, ADCC world champion Penny Thomas, fresh off her grappling superfight victory over MMA veteran Shayna Baszler at the UFC Fan Expo in May, takes on Team Lloyd Irvin product Tracey Goodell in an exciting women’s matchup. Plus, former UFC star Hermes Franca, a dangerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who owns submission victories over the likes of Nate Diaz, Mike Brown, and Jamie Varner, takes on 23-time Grapplers Quest champion Ryan Hall.
Then, on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 12:30PM ET, the Gracie family invades the UFC Fan Expo with two explosive contests. First, UFC veteran and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Rolles Gracie takes on undefeated Grapplers Quest champion Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu. If that wasn’t enough, Renzo Gracie black belt Gregor Gracie, a four-time Grapplers Quest champion, locks horns with reigning ADCC world grappling championPablo Popovitch.
UFC: FOR THREE BOSTON FIGHTERS, THE ARRIVAL OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP IS A DREAM COME TRUE
It’s almost every kid’s dream to score the game-winning goal for their hometown team. After spending most of their childhoods rooting for the players and teams of their beloved city, youngsters across the globe yearn for the opportunity to become a hometown hero.
For Bostonians Kenny Florian, Joe Lauzon, and Marcus Davis, the chance to realize their dream of competing on the biggest stage in their hometowns has finally arrived. All three will compete at UFC 118 from TD Garden in Boston on Aug. 28 live on Pay-Per-View. Knowing that the chance to perform in front of the die-hard Boston sports fans is upon them, the trio is doing their best to cherish the moment.
“Boston is where I started my career in MMA and it’s where I’ve lived my whole life,” lightweight Kenny Florian, who will take on Gray Maynard on Aug. 28, said. “To be fighting in the UFC in my hometown is a dream come true for me. This city is one of the biggest & most passionate sports towns in the world. With the UFC® Fan Expo™ and 118 here in that same weekend, it is truly going to be a special weekend that myself and the whole city of Boston and its visitors will never forget.”
For Lauzon, having the UFC in his hometown is more than just an opportunity to fight. Since the UFC® Fan Expo™ will be held on Aug. 27 and 28 at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Lauzon believes fans in the Northeast will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience all that the UFC has to offer.
“It’s been a long time coming, but the UFC’s arrival in Boston is going to be epic,” Lauzon, who will fight Gabe Ruediger in lightweight action at UFC 118, said. “While UFC is amazing on TV, it’s a whole different level being there in person. With the fights, and the UFC Fan Expo, the fans are in for something special.”
A former professional boxer who made a name for himself in the Northeast, Davis is equally fired up about the UFC’s arrival in Boston. As he gears up for an exciting welterweight clash with Nate Diaz, Davis admits that the anticipation of fighting in his hometown has fueled his training camp.
“It’s great to be able to fight so close to home knowing I train 10 minutes away from the venue,” Davis said. “I was on the last boxing event ever held at The Garden before they knocked it down and now I get to return as an MMA fighter. It’s an awesome feeling.
“The UFC Fan Expo will be a huge success too,” Davis added. “It’s a great thing to have to promote the sport and it gives all the businesses in the sport the opportunity to educate and gather more fans. We truly have surpassed boxing in popularity and this event will prove it.”
All the UFC Fan Expo activities will be planned in conjunction with UFC 118, which takes place at TD Garden on Saturday, Aug. 28. Headlined by a lightweight title rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and former division leader BJ Penn, UFC 118 also marks the mixed martial arts debut of three-time world champion boxer James Toney, who will take on UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
UFC FAN EXPO OFFERS FANS IN BOSTON OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH MMA’S TOP STARS
Training & Development Sessions to Feature Forrest Griffin, Tito Ortiz, Clay Guida, and Urijah Faber
Plus, renowned coach Shawn Tompkins to lead seminar
Fans in the Boston area would probably love the opportunity to learn how to throw a fastball like Red Sox star pitcher Josh Beckett. They’d be equally excited to shoot from beyond the arc with Celtics’ sniper Ray Allen too. Well, at this summer’s UFC® FAN EXPO™, the opportunity to learn strategy and techniques from the most influential figures in mixed martial arts presents itself. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today that the UFC Fan Expo Boston will feature five Training & Development sessions sure to thrill UFC fans.
On Friday, Aug. 27, former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin heads to Boston to teach an intense session starting at 4pm. Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, will also lead a Training & Development session sure to reflect The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s aggressive ground and pound style, as well as renowned coach Shawn Tompkins.
The action continues on Saturday, Aug. 28 with Training & Development sessions featuring UFC lightweight star Clay Guida and former World Extreme Cagefighting® featherweight champion Urijah Faber. With five of the sport’s most respected individuals offering Training & Development sessions, the UFC Fan Expo Boston continues to become the can’t miss fan event in the Northeast this summer.
“Fans have watched guys like Tito and Forrest coach on The Ultimate Fighter® and now this is their chance to train with them,” White said. “Whether you have been training for a long time or just beginning the sport, there is something for everyone at these Training and Development Sessions. Each one of these guys brings something unique to the table and it makes this a cool experience for fans.”
Tickets for UFC® FAN EXPO™ and Training & Development sessions are on sale now and can be bought exclusively at UFCFanExpo.com. Please note that tickets for each Training & Development Session are limited; the cost to participate in a session is $100 per person, per session.
Training & Development Session Schedule
(All Times Eastern)
Friday, Aug. 27
10am-12pm – Tito Ortiz
1pm-3pm – Shawn Tompkins
4pm-6pm – Forrest Griffin
Saturday, Aug. 28
10am-12pm – Clay Guida
2pm-4pm – Urijah Faber