“Mixed martial arts is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic and popular sports in the world. The

Strikeforce brand already represents the absolute best of this business domestically, and Shine International is thrilled to help them extend their brand internationally,” said Chris Grant, President of Shine International. “Strikeforce attracts the world’s best fighters and their events are superior to any others being offered to international broadcasters today. They are ideal partners for us.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring STRIKEFORCE fights to the homes of MMA fans throughout the world,” said STRIKEFORCE Founder and CEO Scott Coker. “Shine International is a world renowned leader in the international television business and, with their support, we are confident that we will be able to greatly expand the scope of the STRIKEFORCE brand.”

The STRIKEFORCE library of programming includes 30 episodes of previously recorded fights that have aired on NBC and more than 56 hours of fights that have aired on SHOWTIME®. The deal between STRIKEFORCE and Shine International also encompasses new, upcoming live fights through February 2012 as well as STRIKEFORCE Challengers fights, pitting STRIKEFORCE up-and-comers against each other. STRIKEFORCE recently announced its first broadcast on CBS to air live fights on the U.S. network, further increasing the leagues exposure, with the first event slated for November 7, 2009 at Chicago’s Sears Centre Arena.

STRIKEFORCE has experienced significant growth since it launched its MMA series with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event that played host to a capacity crowd of 18,265 at San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion on March 10, 2006.  After signing a landmark deal to air live events on SHOWTIME earlier this year, STRIKEFORCE earned the premium network its highest MMA rating ever on August 15, 2009 with “Carano vs. Cyborg.”  Shortly before the live telecast, the main event principals-Gina Carano and Cris “Cyborg” Santos-were the most searched terms on Yahoo! and Google, while the fight was the most discussed subject on Twitter.

About Shine International

Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of the Shine Group, a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and alternative television formats. Shine International distributes programming from the growing library of programming of the Shine Group, including Reveille, Kudos, Dragonfly, Princess Productions and Metronome, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries worldwide.

About STRIKEFORCE

STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com <https://mail.svse.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.strikeforce.com/> ) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.

Photo: Esther Lin/STRIKEFORCE

Source: Mike Afromowitz, STRIKEFORCE

A special pre-sale ticket purchase opportunity will take place for “STRIKEFORCE Insider” e-newsletter subscribers (www.strikeforce.com/signup.asp <http://www.strikeforce.com/signup.asp> ) beginning at 10:00 AM, CT tomorrow/Friday, Sept. 25, and ending at 10 PM, CT on Sunday, Sept. 27.  STRIKEFORCE Insiders will receive a special e-newsletter tonight with the pre-sale code.

Tickets, priced from $35, go on sale to the general public at 10:00 AM, CT on Monday, Sept. 28 at Sears Centre box office as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> ), STRIKEFORCE’S official website (www.strikeforce.com <http://www.strikeforce.com/> ), and M-1 Global’s official website (www.m-1global.com <http://www.m-1global.com/> ).

Doors at Sears Centre will open at 5:15 PM, CT for the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global: “Fedor vs. Rogers” event presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6:00 PM, CT. The event will air live on the CBS Television Network on Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:00 PM, live ET/ delayed PT) and will include four bouts.

STRIKEFORCE has experienced significant growth since it launched its MMA series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event on March 10, 2006.  After signing a landmark deal to air live events on SHOWTIME® earlier this year, STRIKEFORCE earned the premium network its highest MMA rating ever on August 15 with “Carano vs. Cyborg.”  Shortly before the live telecast, the main event principals-Gina Carano and Cris “Cyborg” Santos-were the most searched terms on Yahoo! and Google, while the fight was the most discussed subject on Twitter. Earlier this month, CBS Television Network announced that it would broadcast “Fedor vs. Rogers” live on Nov. 7, marking the return of MMA to major broadcast television.

In 2009, M-1 Global promoted over 10 M-1 Challenge events across the globe in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Brasil, The Netherlands, the United States, and Russia.  Known as the “World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts,” the M-1 Challenge is a year-long, team competition featuring over 100 fighters representing their respective countries. Following its September 26 Semifinals, the M-1 Challenge Championship Cup will take place later this year to determine the second-ever M-1 Challenge Champion.

About STRIKEFORCE

STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com <http://www.strikeforce.com/> ) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.

About M-1 Global

M-1 Global (www.m-1global.com <http://www.m-1global.com/> ) has been one of the leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organizations in the world for over a decade. M-1 has promoted over 150 shows worldwide since 1995.  Billed as the “World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts,” the M-1 Challenge is a full season of MMA events that showcases some of the best up and coming MMA fighters in the world. Broadcast to over 90 countries around the world, including HDNet in the United States, the M-1 Challenge pits teams of five fighters representing their respective countries against each other for international bragging rights and the title of M-1 Challenge Champions. Fighters who succeed on the M-1 Challenge’s international breeding ground will earn the opportunity to participate in major MMA events presented by M-1 Global and their promotional partners such as STRIKEFORCE.

                                           2009 LFL MINI-CAMP SCHEDULE

           WESTERN CONFERENCE                          EASTER CONFERENCE

     SAN DIEGO SEDUCTION – 4.20.09                  MIAMI CALIENTE – 5.11.09

LOS ANGELES TEMPTATION – 4.21.09                        TAMPA BREEZE – 5.12.09

           SEATTLE MIST – 4.22.09                           NEW YORK MAJESTY – 5.13.09

        DENVER DREAM – 4.23.09                   NEW ENGLAND EUPHORIA – 5.14.09

        DALLAS DESIRE – 4.24.09                                   CHICAGO BLISS – 5.15.09

This fall, the term Friday Night Lights will be redefined when the America’s most beautiful and athletic women hit the field on Friday nights as part of ‘LFL, Friday Night Football’ at major arenas and stadiums. Fans arriving early to the arenas/stadiums will take part in one of the country’s biggest tailgate festivities complete with Beer Gardens, Video Gaming Lounges, Football Challenges, LIVE Music/DJs, Face-Painting, Bar-B-Que Stations etc.

LFL’s Opening Night on 9.04.09 at Chicago’s Sears Centre Arena will kickoff a (20) week season that will feature (1) game per week on Friday nights. Fans will have only (2) opportunities to catch their favorite team in their city. With only (2) home games, expect sell-out crowds and a playoff-like atmosphere at each game this fall.  

The LFL will deliver the ultimate fan experience being on-top of the action within a colossal Friday night party setting.

Fans can order tickets by logging onto the league’s official website www.LFLUS.com for ticketing detail.

Photo courtesy of Lingerie Football League.