The UFC and New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC), announced today that UFC Gyms will partner with Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, UFC's Welterweight Champion, and BJ "The Prodigy" Penn, reigning Lightweight Champion to build "St-Pierre" and "Penn" UFC Gyms, with locations planned for St-Pierre's native city of Montreal and Penn's home state of Hawaii.

St-Pierre and Penn, who compete in a historic rematch for the UFC Welterweight Championship belt at UFC 94: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2 this Saturday, Jan. 31, live from MGM Grand Garden Arena, are the first UFC athletes to have UFC Gyms featuring their name and likeness.

"Besides being a great way for us to connect with UFC fans on a daily basis, UFC Gyms is another way that UFC is providing economic opportunities for UFC athletes outside of the Octagon," said Dana White, UFC President. "Combining the UFC brand with superstars Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn gives them an exciting business venture that is unprecedented in the fight industry."

"When you are presented with the opportunity to work with two of the greatest athletes, Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn, in the fastest growing sport in the world, the UFC, in two great destinations, Montreal and Hawaii, with the best promoter in sports, Dana White, and the business talents of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, your decisions come fast and easy," said Mastrov.

"UFC Gyms" will be the first major brand extension for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the all-time industry leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with NEFC owners Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, developers of many of the world's most successful fitness brands, UFC Gyms will give UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers alike the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes, including Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn in their respective UFC gyms.

"It is a dream come true to have a St-Pierre UFC Gym in Montreal," said St-Pierre. "Ever since the UFC came to my country, the sport has been so huge - I know this gym will be very popular."

"I'm very excited to be a part of this tremendous opportunity, I look forward to working with the UFC to make UFC Gyms a huge success," said Penn. "It will be such an honor to have a UFC gym in my name, and right in my homeland of Hawaii."

With a diverse, loyal fan base of millions in the United States and abroad, UFC Gyms will become the fitness destination of choice, providing all-around training, conditioning and health options for men, women and children of all ages.

For more information about UFC Gyms, please visit UFCgyms.com.

Source: UFC.com

29.01.2009
Master Helio Gracie (1913-2009)
Jiu-Jitsu loses its icon

It is with great sadness that GRACIEMAG.com announces the passing of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. At 95 years of age, the great icon and one of those most responsible for Jiu-Jitsu's success in Brazil and the world died this morning, at Beneficencia Portuguesa Hospital, in Petropolis, mountain region of Rio de Janeiro.

"I created a flag from the sport's dignity. I oversee the name of my family with affection and nerves of blood," said the Professor, as his last worlds.

The Master will be buried this Thursday afternoon, at 5 pm, at the Chapel of the Petropolis municipal cemetery.

Helio Gracie's last public appearance occurred in December of last year, during a belt-promotion ceremony held by Gracie Humaita at the Guanabara Yacht Club.

In October, Helio Gracie celebrated his 95th birthday at the Gracie Humaita academy, in Rio de Janeiro. Click here to see how the party went.

In one of his most famous interviews, published in the special 100th issue of GRACIEMAG, the professor had declared: "I've already told my sons that when I die I want there to be a party. No drinking, no debauchery."

All workers at Gracie Publishing, the company responsible for GRACIEMAG, NOCAUTE and GRACIEMAG.com are in mourning and express their condolences and sadness to the bereaved family, his wife Vera, sons Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Rolker, Royler, Royce, Rherica, Robin and Ricci.

We will be back with more information shortly.

Source: GRACIEMAG.com

The cancellation of the World Extreme Championship 39 main event between champion Carlos Condit and challenger Brock Larson could mark the end of the welterweight division in the WEC.

Condit (22-4) suffered a sprained wrist serious enough that he has pulled out of his scheduled title defense at WEC 39 on March 1 in Corpus Christi, Texas. In their first meeting in August 2007, Condit submitted Larson (24-2) with an armbar in two minutes and 21 seconds.

But the bigger news is that the WEC will wipe out the welterweight division and move the top fighters in the division to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Condit could be transferred to the UFC as soon as April 1 at UFC Fight Night 18.

The welterweight division is the WEC's heaviest weight class. The promotion last month phased out the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. The removal of the welterweight division will leave lightweight as the only division remaining in both the WEC and the UFC.

Affliction: Day of Reckoning came to us all live on January 24, 2009 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Here are the results for the event:

Main Card

• WAMMA Heavyweight Championship: Fedor Emelianenko def. Andrei Arlovski by KO (punch) at 3:14 of Round 1 to retain the WAMMA Heavyweight Title

• Heavyweight bout: Josh Barnett def. Gilbert Yvel by submission (strikes) at 3:05 of Round 3

• Middleweight bout: Vitor Belfort def. Matt Lindland by KO (punches) at 0:37 of Round 1

• Light Heavyweight bout: Renato Sobral def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou by submission (brabo choke) at 2:37 of Round 2

• Heavyweight bout: Paul Buentello def. Kirill Sidelnikov by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:18 of Round 3

• Lightweight bout: Dan Lauzon def. Bobby Green by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:55 of Round 1

HDNet Matches/Undercard

• Light Heavyweight bout: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO (knee and punches) at 4:26 of Round 2

• Featherweight bout: LC Davis def. Bao Quach by unanimous decision

• Featherweight bout: Albert Rios def. Antonio Duarte by unanimous decision

• Welterweight bout: Brett Cooper def. Patrick Speight by TKO (punches) at 4:39 of Round 2

• Welterweight bout: Jay Hieron def. Jason High by TKO (punches) at 1:04 of Round 1

Dojo Fightgear sent out the following press release today:

Dojo Fightgear, the Official Sponsor for Ultimate Womens Combat!

Dojo Fightgear Inc, based in Oxnard, California is pleased to announce the release of our Series 2 collection of Mixed Martial Arts apparel. Along with being an official sponsor for the TV reality show Fight School, based in Lakewood, CA. Dojo Fightgear is also pleased to announce the proud sponsorship of a NEW Reality Show called Ultimate Women's Combat. This show will be hosted by none other than the MMA Legend Bas Rutten and the world's sexiest supermodel Joanna Krupa. The coaches selected for this groundbreaking show will be Cesar Gracie from the world famous Gracie Family, MMA sensations Tara LaRosa and Dr. Rosie Sexton. The show will cover the fastest growing sport and will mainly focus on showcasing the skills of Women's Mixed Martial Arts! In conjunction with Lyle Howry Productions, Ultimate Womens Combat along with Dojo Fightgear will be televised on a major network channel. So check us out www.dojofightgear.com for the latest news and apparel!.

Dojo Fightgear Inc. is a Mixed Martial Arts apparel company that supports the hard work and dedication that these Mixed Martial Artist's display in and out of the ring. We focus on discipline, determination and dedication. We believe that anything in life can be achieved and support the individuals that display this type of work ethic.