SHINE FIGHTS UPDATE

SHINE FIGHTS ANNOUNCES BOUT BETWEEN

GRAPPLING ACES BRAULIO ESTIMA AND RICK HAWN

Bout will take place at "Worlds Collide: Mayorga vs. Thomas"



Miami, FL (USA): Shine Fight Promotions (Shine Fights) today announced the
official signing of another main card bout for its upcoming "WORLDS COLLIDE:
MAYORGA VS. THOMAS" event, as 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club
88-kilogram/Absolute division champion and Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom
Braulio Estima (0-0) will make his MMA debut against 2004 Olympic judo
competitor Rick Hawn (6-0). The fight will be contested at a catchweight of
175 lbs. "WORLDS COLLIDE" will emanate live at the Crown Coliseum in
Fayetteville, North Carolina on May 15th, and will be broadcasted on
pay-per-view.



This highly-anticipated bout will pit two fighters considered to be amongst
the best in the world at their respective crafts. Estima is a BJJ black
belt, and is the head instructor and owner of the Gracie Barra Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Birmingham, England. His submission competition
achievements include winning the CBJJ World Championship in 2004, 2006, and
2009, the Absolute World Cup Championship in 2006, the European CBJJ
Absolute Championships in 2006 and 2009, as well as being the ADCC 2007
silver medalist. At ADCC 2009, Estima won both the under-88 kg and Absolute
division championships, defeating DREAM veteran Andre Galvao and Sengoku
veteran Xande Ribeiro in the respective finals. Called "the breakout star"
of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament by Sherdog, the 6'3", 190 lb.
native of Brazil shocked the grappling community by submitting submission
legend Marcelo Garcia, in addition to defeating Galvao and Ribiero on his
way to the under-88 kg and Absolute division championships. Also labeled
"one of grappling's most underrated and overlooked competitors" by Sherdog,
Estima is a multiple-time World, European and Pan-American grappling
champion.



In regards to his opponent, Estima said, "I've seen a couple of fights and
he's a tough kid. He's very strong, very explosive. I'm not expecting an
easy fight at all. He's a top judo player in the world, so he's an athlete
himself. Whoever makes fewer mistakes will win. He already has experience in
MMA, 6-0. He has a pretty good advantage in the cage, but I'm going to try
work myself in a situation where this won't affect me."



The 33 year-old Hawn is also a celebrated grappler with many decorations and
distinctions in his field of combat. The 5'9," 170 lb. Massachusetts native
splits his training time between Pedro's Judo Center and Team Sityodtong. He
placed 9th Place at the 2004 Olympic Games, and was a 2007 World Team
member. His other grappling accomplishments include his being a four-time
U.S. National Champion, a four-time U.S. Open bronze medalist, and garnering
a 2007 Pan Am Games bronze medal. Hawn is also undefeated in MMA, and has
finished four of his six opponents in the first round. He presents a very
tall order for Estima's first MMA opponent.



About Estima, Hawn said, "I'm looking forward to the fight with Estima. Even
though he is new to MMA, he has extensive ground skills that will require me
to elevate my game. I am more than ready for the challenge. It's not much of
a surprise that I want to keep the fight standing with him if possible. This
is MMA though, and anything can happen. Either way, I'm going to be well
prepared and take advantage of my experience and strengths."



Shine Fights is extremely elated to bring the MMA world a match between
world-class grapplers such as Braulio Estima and Rick Hawn. "Braulio and
Rick bring ground credentials to the cage that few can match. I expect this
to be an amazing fight, and I think it's going to surprise many fight fans,"
stated Shine matchmaker Ron Foster. "Estima has been working diligently on
his striking, and Hawn TKO'd four of his six opponents. 'WORLDS COLLIDE'
just got even more interesting!"



This ground-fighting dream bout joins the previously announced main event
between former boxing champion Ricardo Mayorga and MMA veteran Din Thomas as
well as the co-main event between former EliteXC star Murilo "Ninja" Rua and
Falaniko Vitale on the May 15th card. "WORLDS COLLIDE" is taking place at
the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC, and will be beamed on PPV on cable
and satellite in the United States and Canada. The event will be broadcasted
in High-Definition, and it will be available in both English and Spanish
(where available). The broadcast will broadcasted starting at 9 PM ET/6 PM
PT by MultiVision Media, Inc. There will be a 30-minute countdown show prior
to the live event at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT. The event will be available for
$29.95. Tickets may be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420,
or online at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Crown Coliseum Box
Office. For box office hours and more info, please call (910) 438-4100.