ATLANTA (May 16, 2008)— This week, the American Fight League announced its full fight card for “AFL: BULLETPROOF,” a mixed martial arts event taking place at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
The event, which will be held at 8:00 p.m. on May 30th, will feature championship matches in multiple weight classes as well as a number of Atlanta-area fighters, including Diego Saraiva, a UFC veteran. This is the first mixed martial arts event in Philips Arena history.
Three titles will be on the line: AFL lightweight, welterweight and middleweight world championships. AFL lightweight world champion Diego Saraiva will defend his title against challenger Josh Cate, who has repeatedly tried to arrange this fight and has now finally gotten his wish. “The Phenom” Douglas Lima will take on Brent Weedman for the AFL welterweight world championship. George “Loaded” Lockhart and George Allen will square off as well, both hoping to win the first AFL middleweight world title.
Additionally, “AFL: Bulletproof” will host the highly anticipated fight between number one AFL heavyweight contender and UFC veteran Dan Christison and Sam Holloway.
During the event, the AFL will reveal two landmark fighters who have recently joined the league. Both fighters will be in attendance and available for interviews.
Tickets for “AFL: Bulletproof,” which range from $27 to $202, are now on sale at all Ticketmaster locations (www.ticketmaster.com). Special discounts are available for military, police officers, fire fighters and paramedics. AFL is also offering a buy-one-get-one-free discount for $77 tickets.
The full fight card includes:
· AFL Lightweight World Championship:
Champ Diego “The Octopus” Saraiva vs. Josh “Kaos” Cate
Saraiva (Atlanta, GA, 12-6-1), an Atlanta resident and crowd favorite, won the AFL World Lightweight Championship at eRUPPtion held in Lexington, KY on March 7th, by defeating Joe “The Hammer” Ammerman in Round 1 by rear naked choke. Cate (Knoxville BJJ, 5-4-2), a jiu-jitsu black belt under Hermes Franca, has been interested in fighting Saraiva for some time. He has gone on record stating that Saraiva’s jiu-jitsu is impressive but that his own skills are equally good or better. Now Cate wants the chance to prove it on one of the nation’s biggest stage.
· AFL Welterweight World Championship:
“The Phenom” Douglas Lima vs. Brent Weedman
Both men are comfortable wherever the fight takes them and this faceoff should be an all out war! Weedman (Team Haycraft, 8-4) is the current ISKA Eastern United States Champion and the Shidokan World Champion. Lima (Team Knuckle Up, Traven BJJ, Ascension MMA, 11-1) is an absolute phenomenon that will be a major force in the MMA world for years to come. Both are in their early twenties, bringing an endless source of energy for the crowd. Fireworks are sure to fly during this fight.
· AFL Middleweight World Championship:
George “Loaded” Lockhart vs. George Allen
Another championship fight, the AFL World Middleweight Title, sees the return of two MMA veterans facing off. Lockhart (Marine Corps, 7-2) is an instructor trainer for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. A devastating striker, Lockhart has dynamite in his hands and a lot of fans in Atlanta. Allen (Team Eagle, 12-12) has over 25 professional MMA fights under his belt. He has fought in a variety of notable events, including King of the Cage, Bas Rutten Invitational, WEF, Hook n’ Shoot and IFC. Allen’s experience makes him a dangerous rival. This one will be a bruiser.
· Lightweight bout:
Atlanta legend and UFC veteran “The Punisher” Junior Assuncao vs. Torrance Taylor
Known as one of the most versatile MMA fighters around, UFC veteran Assuncao (Ascension MMA, 6-3) has his work cut out for him in a match-up against the ever explosive Taylor (Cleveland, Ohio, 7-5). Currently the number one contender in the AFL, Assuncao operates under the motto, “Train hard, win easy!” His work ethic paid off when he defeated Steve Sharp, one of the most exciting and talented fighters at the AFL’s eRUPPtion show on March 7th. He will have his hands full with Taylor, who loves to strike and has a very good takedown defense.
· Middleweight bout:
David Curby vs. Robi “Rick James” Ramey
This rematch pits Curby (Outlaw MMA, 4-0), who won the previous fight between these contenders, against a vengeful Ramey. Ramey (Team Knuckle Up, 3-2) believes he cut weight incorrectly, causing him to lose against the always-tough Curby. Ramey is a fast starter that has completed all of his wins in under a minute. He has incredible strength, something developed while a champion local bodybuilder in Georgia. Curby looks like an average Joe but is an absolute beast in the cage, as proven by his perfect record. This fight will tell if Curby keeps his perfect streak or if Ramey gets revenge.
· Light Heavyweight bout:
Willie “Steamin Willie Beamin” Smalls vs. Ethan Garrison
This highly anticipated match-up puts two of the top rising Light Heavyweights in the Southeast in opposition. Smalls (Buford, SC, 5-2) is a two-time South Carolina State wrestling champ and former arena football star. He has significant wins over Brett Chism and Vern Ruffner in his last two fights, which have endeared him to the Atlanta fight crowd. Garrison (Team Knuckle Up, 4-0) is a Steve Headden-trained jiu-jitsu wiz kid who never submits to anyone. Garrison is a crowd favorite and his faithful following is expected to turn out in droves to see who will impose his will in this battle.
· Heavyweight bout:
Dan “The Sandman” Christison vs. Sam Holloway
This fight could feature a huge upset as a healthy Holloway (The Hardcore Gym, 7-2) will give Christison (The Sandbox, 11-6) all he can handle. Holloway is well rounded and trains with the best fighters at The Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia. At 6’8”, Christison is an imposing presence in the cage and has faced and beaten some of the best fighters in MMA. This match-up will give Holloway his first legitimate test in some time.
· Heavyweight bout:
Todd “The Irish Car Bomb” Duffee vs. Steve Banks
With both men standing 6’3” and weighing 250 pounds this battle promises to entertain the Philips Arena crowd. These monsters are both knock out artists and regarded as possibly the two best young heavyweights in the South. Banks (The Dojo, 9-0) has knocked out half of his opponents in mere seconds, but the imposing and tenacious Duffee (American Top Team, 4-0) is sure to bring a challenge. Banks has proclaimed, “Somebody’s getting knocked out!”
About American Fight League:
American Fight League (AFL) was co-founded in 2006 by BJ Santiago, CEO and former US Army Infantry Officer CPT, and Jon Hatton, Chief Production Officer. Santiago and Hatton formed the league with two primary goals in mind: to influence and enhance the sport and to positively impact every fan and city it meets. AFL, “where everyone has a fighting chance,” incorporates fighters from across the nation and around the world, encouraging the growth of amateur fighters and molding professional fighters into not only champions but also mentors. With a strong sense of community, AFL and its fighters are avid philanthropists of several nonprofits benefiting wounded soldiers, including Impact a Hero and Fisher House, and other local charities, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. For more information about American Fight League and the upcoming “Bulletproof” Fight Night in Atlanta, please visit www.americanfightleague.com.
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