Knothe was originally set to fight in Shark Fights 17 against Ricco Rodriquez, but because of a misunderstanding, couldn’t make the agreed upon catch weight.  Knothe spent the next two hours cutting over twenty pounds, but the commission deemed it too dangerous for him to drop anymore weight.  Shark Fights executive Wes Nolen states, “This main event title shot against Bobby Lashley is the perfect opportunity to make it up to Karl for the misunderstanding at Shark Fights 17.”  Nolen went on to say, “I want to thank Bobby Lashley for all his patience.  After three opponent changes, it would have been very easy for Bobby to call off the fight, but he’s a true fighter that accepted any and all opponents we put in front of him.  He has never complained once and just continues to train hard.”
Shark Fights 21 will take place on Friday, November 11, 2011 at The Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas and will be broadcast via tape delay on FUEL TV beginning December 23, 2011.  Doors Open at 6:00pm CST.  Fights start at 7pm CST.  Tickets for Shark Fights 21 are on sale now at www.selectaseatlubbock.com.  Tickets are priced at $20, $30, $40, $55, $65, $75, and $100.  For more information, or current Shark Fights news, please visit www.sharkfights.com or www.facebook.com/sharkfights.  Fight card subject to change.

Main Event:
-Bobby Lashley (6-1) vs Karl Knothe (17-5)

Co-Main Event:
-Tony Bonello (15-1-1) vs Dave Roberts (4-7)

Main Card:
-Cody Pfister (5-3) vs. Isais Martinez (6-3)
-Willie Parks (3-1) vs Anselmo Martinez (7-5)
-Gabe Vasquez (4-4) vs Zach Haney (3-5)

Preliminary Bout:
-Daniel Almeida (6-0) vs John King (2-2)
-Cody East (0-0) vs Adenilson Clementino (1-0)
-Matt Hobar (3-0) vs Donnie Frye (3-10)
-Jeremiah Castillo (3-13) vs Zavier Garcia (0-1)
-Brian Joseph (1-0) vs Marcus Baldivia (0-1)

About Shark Fight Promotions:

Texas based Shark Fight Promotions, founded in 2007, is an integrated entertainment and media company in the combat sports industry, committed to producing high quality fight events and effectively showcasing elite MMA talent. The company is engaged in the production, promotion, presentation and marketing of premier professional mixed martial arts fighting competitions. As an integrated entertainment and media company, Shark Fight Promotions is organized around three principal business activities: Live Event Promotions, Broadcast Television and Digital Media Production and Distribution, Sponsorship and Brand Licensing.  As Mixed Martial Arts continues its dominance as the fastest growing sport in the world, Shark Fights is poised to become one of the top fight promotions in the industry.

Shark Fight Promotions can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/SharkFights and via Twitter at twitter.com/SharkFights.
About FUEL TV 

FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports and the stories that surround them. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. See why young adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 30 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

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Media Contact for Shark Fights: 

George Meng

Media and Public Relations

818-333-3694

pr@sharkfp.com

According to Brent Medley, President of Shark Fight Promotions, “Shark Fight executives agreed to create the interim welterweight title, after learning that there were several scheduling conflicts over the coming months that would keep TJ from defending his title.”

Medley went on to say, “We were very strategic when selecting an opponent for Anselmo, as we wanted it be an extremely compelling match up. I believe that we achieved our goal by signing Ryan Ford. Both fighters are incredibly skilled and both are hungry for the title. The entire Shark Fight 8 card is stacked with exciting match ups, including a co-main event featuring Kyle Bracey and Erick Davilla. I couldn’t think of a better way for Shark Fights to kick off 2010!”

Anselmo Martinez (5-1), a Shark Fight veteran with a history of winning by knock out, typically finishes his opponent in the first round.  Martinez recently defeated Lorenzo Borgomeo at Shark Fight 7, clinching his fourth straight win in the Shark Fight arena.  Martinez, who was contemplating retirement late last year, decided to stay in the game and challenge himself by going for the gold.

His opponent, Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (11-2), will be Martinez’s toughest opponent to date. Ford, often compared to Georges St. Pierre due to his remarkable athleticism, has an explosive fighting style and impressive mixed martial arts record. Ford was also the top ranked running back to come out of the University of Canada. On January 5^th, Ford will fight in the United States for the first time in his career. His goal – to become the Shark Fight welterweight champion.

This is an MMA event that you won’t want to miss! Doors to the Fair Park Coliseum open at 6:00 PM. Fights will begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the Shark Fight retail store located in Westgate Mall or online at www.sharkfights.com.

About Shark Fight Promotions:

Shark Fight Promotions, based out of Amarillo Texas, is an up and coming Fight Promotion Company dedicated to driving the growth of mixed martial arts through the production of high quality MMA events and by effectively showcasing MMA fighters. The organization takes pride in putting the fans and fighters first; therefore they strive to make each Shark Fight event more exciting than the last.  Executives within the organization are committed to producing impressive fight cards with extremely competitive matchups. They are also very passionate about their philanthropic endeavors. Shark Fight Promotions stays very involved in charity causes by partnering with, and contributing to, non-profit organizations in each city that hosts a Shark Fight Promotions event.

Source: Melissa Ingram/Director of Media Relations, Novuss Media