PHILADELPHIA, PA – DEC. 28, 2009 – Mixed Martial Arts Expo, LLC – The Original MMA Expo since 2005 – today announced HDNet, “Your Home for MMA,” as the title sponsor of MMA Expo Philadelphia taking place January 9-10, 2010 at the Valley Forge Convention Centre.
“HDNet has an impressive track record of providing MMA Fans with some of the most exciting coverage in the sport”, commented Gerald Chopik, president of MMA Expo. “I’m an avid fan of HDNet’s Mixed Martial Arts coverage and ‘Inside MMA’ with Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, and we are thrilled to be working with the network as the title sponsor of our Philadelphia event. The color commentary and fight analysis by Michael Schiavello and Guy Mezger are second to none – always high energy, insightful, creative and informative. This is the level of content that the sport demands and HDNet is known for delivering.”
“MMA Expo Philadelphia kicks off what will be an explosive year for MMA and for HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “The fans have supported HDNet’s commitment to bringing home more MMA than any network in the world – and now we are excited to partner with MMA Expo Philadelphia to bring our great sport right to the fans. Mixed Martial Arts Expo has a five-year history of delivering a solid event with a long list of MMA celebrities and HDNet is proud to be the title sponsor.”
Philly fans are in for a great MMA weekend on January 9-10 according to Chopik. “We have another stellar celebrity line-up with former UFC Lightweight Champion 37-4-1 Sean Sherk, King of the Cage Champion 48-20-7 Shonie Carter, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion 6-0-0 Cung Le, 9-2-0 Matt Hamill, UFC Hall of Famer 90-16-7 Dan Severn, 9X Submission Grappling Champion Marcelo Garcia, 4X Olympian and Judo Bronze Medalist Jimmy Pedro, as well as World Karate Champion Tokey Hill”. More celebrities are due to be announced shortly.
MMA Expo comprises a number of action-packed combative sports competitions including USA Boxing, Gi and No-Gi Submission Grappling by On The Mat and the USA Karate Open with the Tokey Hill Challenge. MMA Celebrity seminars feature hands-on instruction with Sherk, Carter, Hamill and Severn. And for those interested in a career as an MMA official, there’s even a Referee and Judging Seminar by seasoned MMA official, Marc Fennell.
MMA Expo Philadelphia is co-located with the popular Philadelphia Sports Expo and a single general admission gives attendees access to both events. For more information about MMA Expo Philadelphia, visit www.MixedMartialArtsExpo.com.
About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net, twitter.com/hdnet) is the independent network with unique and provocative content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.
HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,” and the Emmy Award winning “Dan Rather Reports,” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather.
HDNet presents championship sports coverage including more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network. HDNet’s “Inside MMA” is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA.
HDNet also delivers the world’s largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series, and revealing lifestyle programming featuring “Art Mann Presents,” “New York Confessions,” “Deadline” and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. “NASA on HDNet” presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.
Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com, twitter.com/hdnetmovies) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Eric Bana, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.
HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.
Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliated companies. To receive HDNet information via email, simply go to www.hd.net/listpage.
About Mixed Martial Arts Expo
The concept for Mixed Martial Arts Expo came about as a result of president Gerald Chopik’s experience as a trade and consumer show producer and martial artist. Since its launch in 2005 Mixed Martial Arts Expo has hosted hundreds of exhibitors and martial arts instructors, and brought MMA fans together with many of the top names in the game including popular ring girl Arianny Celeste, PRIDE fighter Gary Goodridge, striking Coach and trainer of UFC Champions Sean Tompkins, UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn, James Irvin – record holder of the fastest KO in the UFC, current and former UFC fighters Ben Rothwell, Denis Kang, Jason MacDonald, Matt Hamill, Patrick Cote and Pete Sell, as well as former MMA champions Frank Trigg, Carlos Newton, Dan Henderson, Matt Serra, Andre Arlovsky and many more.
Mixed Martial Arts Expo, LLC and Mixed Martial Arts Expo, Inc operate in the USA and Canada respectively. Mixed Martial Arts Expo is not associated in any way with any mma expo events recently held in California and New York.