CFA Announces Stacked Fight Card for Global Audience on October 6 at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sep 13, 2012 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Championship Fighting Alliance
(CFA) has announced a CFA 08 stacked fight card that aims to
capture the world’s attention when its goes down on October 6 at 7
p.m. at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The Main Event headliner will be
Miami’s Valdir
Araujo (10-3) vs. Fortaleza, Brazil’s Marcus
Aurelio (21-10) with 12 other bouts including world renowned
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters. Tickets go on sale Saturday,
September 8 at noon.
In addition to Valdir Araujo vs. Marcus Aurelio, the fight card will include Paul Bradley vs. Marcelo Alfaya; Devin Cole vs. David Yost; Fabio Mello vs. Ralph Acosta; Frank Carrillo vs. Charles Blanchard; Patrick Cenoble vs. Michael Trujillo; Jordan Parsons vs. Tony Christodoulou; Haendar Rodriguez vs. Josh Mercado; Oscar Delgado vs. Roy Jones; Gabriel Varona vs. Jayson Jones; Sabah Homasi vs. Maurice Salmon; Jacob Brunelle vs. Michael Lilly and Jason Gladley vs. Michael Nates.
CFA CEO and founder Jorge De La Noval said he is excited to bring a
phenomenal fight card to a new location as the company prepares to
take the show on the road on a worldwide scale. “We have a fight
card so strong that any of these bouts could be a main event,” De
La Noval said. “With a new venue and zip code, we’ll be extending
our reach and audience to ensure that Broward County, the state of
Florida and the world receives a top notch exciting MMA event.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and second degree judo black belt, Valdir Araujo, 27, is a European BJJ champion and last defeated compatriot Nicolae Cury via TKO punches in the second round at CFA 05. He fought in the inaugural CFA show and will be making his third appearance for CFA. In the past, he has competed for Bellator and holds a two winning streak. His record includes five knockout, three submission and two decision victories. His competitor, Marcus Aurelio, 39, has toured the world and now gets to fight in front of a home crowd atmosphere. He has been training with the Blackzillians in South Florida, where UFC former champion Rahad Evans, former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem and Vitor Belfort train. Aurelio fought for the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championship and the UFC. He defeated then PRIDE Bushido lightweight champion Takanori Gomi with an arm triangle in a non-title fight. He is coming off a loss against Lyle Beerbohm. Aurelio has four knockout, 14 submission and three decision victories.
Devin Cole (20-9-1) is a veteran of the sport having fought against well-known heavyweights such as Daniel Cormier and Ben Rothwell. He competed in both Strikeforce and IFL. Most recently, he defeated an opponent in December in a Strikeforce event. The 35-year-old heavyweight fights out of Portland, Oregon and has been wrestling practically his entire life. He credits The Ultimate Fighter contestant Mike Whitehead for getting him involved in MMA. Competitor David Yost (9-3) is a heavyweight fighting out of Largo, Florida. His last three winning fights came via TKO punches and doctor stoppage. Most of his fights have taken place in the Sunshine State. The 32-year-old is set to make an impactful debut in CFA.
American Top Team standout Ralph Acosta, 31, (9-7) will be making his debut at CFA 08. His last fight took place in Miami, Florida last November where he won via submission in the second round. In the past, he has fought in several promotions including Bellator and has fought overseas including Japan. Most of his victories have come via submission. Competitor Fabio Mello (11-6) has a long list of fights in his MMA resume that include challenges against UFC champion Jose Aldo, Takanori Gomi and a victory against CFA veteran Charles Bennett. The Imperial Athletics representative has fought overseas including Japan and Brazil. He has five victories coming from submission. Currently, he holds a seven fight-winning streak.
Tickets are $59 and 39* and all seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Prices for table seating are $700 for 10 people and may be reserved via e-mail at cfa@cfafights.com or by calling 305-520-5574. *Additional fees may apply.
About Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility, further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This 5,500-seat indoor arena has attracted more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 2005, and has regularly hosted South Florida’s greatest variety of musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin and George Lopez; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.myhrl.com .
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to PLAYHARD! Play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. Over 90 tables offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em Bonus Poker, Casino War and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Additionally, 2,500 slots include the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room, are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player’s Club members also have access to the exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef’s Table show kitchen. The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise hosts various games and tournaments of Limit and No Limit Texas Hold ‘em, 7-Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 138 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 19 restaurants, 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, the Body Rock Spa, 22 boutique shops, 14 bars/nightclubs and lounges, the 400-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or www.facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood .
In addition to Valdir Araujo vs. Marcus Aurelio, the fight card will include Paul Bradley vs. Marcelo Alfaya; Devin Cole vs. David Yost; Fabio Mello vs. Ralph Acosta; Frank Carrillo vs. Charles Blanchard; Patrick Cenoble vs. Michael Trujillo; Jordan Parsons vs. Tony Christodoulou; Haendar Rodriguez vs. Josh Mercado; Oscar Delgado vs. Roy Jones; Gabriel Varona vs. Jayson Jones; Sabah Homasi vs. Maurice Salmon; Jacob Brunelle vs. Michael Lilly and Jason Gladley vs. Michael Nates.
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A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and second degree judo black belt, Valdir Araujo, 27, is a European BJJ champion and last defeated compatriot Nicolae Cury via TKO punches in the second round at CFA 05. He fought in the inaugural CFA show and will be making his third appearance for CFA. In the past, he has competed for Bellator and holds a two winning streak. His record includes five knockout, three submission and two decision victories. His competitor, Marcus Aurelio, 39, has toured the world and now gets to fight in front of a home crowd atmosphere. He has been training with the Blackzillians in South Florida, where UFC former champion Rahad Evans, former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem and Vitor Belfort train. Aurelio fought for the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championship and the UFC. He defeated then PRIDE Bushido lightweight champion Takanori Gomi with an arm triangle in a non-title fight. He is coming off a loss against Lyle Beerbohm. Aurelio has four knockout, 14 submission and three decision victories.
Marcelo
Alfaya (14-6) competed in MMA back in the day when gloves
weren’t even worn. Today, he has a respectable career in the sport
and will be fighting for CFA for the second time. A BrazilianJiu
Jitsu expert, who trained with UFC fighter Minotauro Nogueira and
currently trains with American Top Team, Alfaya holds a two
fight-winning streak. He holds three knockout, six submission and
five decision victories. Prior to training at ATT, he trained at a
gym ran by Nogueira in Miami. His last fights were victories
against Daniel Aspe
and Hamdan. Competitor Paul
Bradley (20-4) defeated former The Ultimate Fighter 7 Team
Rampage vs. Team Forrest cast member Dante Rivera
for the middleweight championship of another event. He plans to
bring a champion’s mentality to CFA. Bradley performed well in the
TV show, until he was diagnosed with a rare contagious skin
condition. He trains with The Academy in Minnesota where former UFC
champion Brock
Lesnar trained. He holds seven knockouts, seven submissions and
six decision victories.
Devin Cole (20-9-1) is a veteran of the sport having fought against well-known heavyweights such as Daniel Cormier and Ben Rothwell. He competed in both Strikeforce and IFL. Most recently, he defeated an opponent in December in a Strikeforce event. The 35-year-old heavyweight fights out of Portland, Oregon and has been wrestling practically his entire life. He credits The Ultimate Fighter contestant Mike Whitehead for getting him involved in MMA. Competitor David Yost (9-3) is a heavyweight fighting out of Largo, Florida. His last three winning fights came via TKO punches and doctor stoppage. Most of his fights have taken place in the Sunshine State. The 32-year-old is set to make an impactful debut in CFA.
American Top Team standout Ralph Acosta, 31, (9-7) will be making his debut at CFA 08. His last fight took place in Miami, Florida last November where he won via submission in the second round. In the past, he has fought in several promotions including Bellator and has fought overseas including Japan. Most of his victories have come via submission. Competitor Fabio Mello (11-6) has a long list of fights in his MMA resume that include challenges against UFC champion Jose Aldo, Takanori Gomi and a victory against CFA veteran Charles Bennett. The Imperial Athletics representative has fought overseas including Japan and Brazil. He has five victories coming from submission. Currently, he holds a seven fight-winning streak.
Tickets are $59 and 39* and all seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Prices for table seating are $700 for 10 people and may be reserved via e-mail at cfa@cfafights.com or by calling 305-520-5574. *Additional fees may apply.
About Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility, further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This 5,500-seat indoor arena has attracted more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 2005, and has regularly hosted South Florida’s greatest variety of musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin and George Lopez; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.myhrl.com .
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to PLAYHARD! Play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida’s ultimate entertainment destination. Over 90 tables offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold ‘em Bonus Poker, Casino War and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Additionally, 2,500 slots include the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room, are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player’s Club members also have access to the exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef’s Table show kitchen. The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise hosts various games and tournaments of Limit and No Limit Texas Hold ‘em, 7-Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 138 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA Four Diamond-rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 19 restaurants, 40,000 square feet of meeting room space, the Body Rock Spa, 22 boutique shops, 14 bars/nightclubs and lounges, the 400-seat Paradise Live theater and the 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or www.facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood .
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