Grapplers Quest Tournament Set For This Weekend At UFC Fan Expo In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (July 2, 2012) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® and Grapplers Quest are proud to announce the official Superfights and 4-Man Pro Tournaments at the UFC Fan Expo® this Friday and Saturday, July 6 & 7, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Advanced Division Champions and All Absolute Divisions will be awarded Custom Glass Octagon Awards and the largest medallion in the sport of grappling, The Grapplers Quest Octagon Medal, exclusively for UFC Fan Expo Champions.

The two-day tournament will feature adult No-Gi submission grappling divisions on Friday, July 6. The 2-Day Grapplers Quest event will showcase two separate 4-Man Tournaments and some mega-superfights. All featured matches will showcase the new “Grapplers Quest Professional Rules” which include a 10-minute Submission Only Round, Followed by a Five-Minute Overtime with Grapplers Quest rules, only if necessary.

“It’s the evolution of the sport of grappling,” Grapplers Quest owner, Brian Cimins commented. “Eddie Bravo inspired me to open my mind towards Submission only and I’ve never been more excited. Everything geared for television and more than 10 million fans on YouTube want more submissions. This event nearly guarantees it! Our event this weekend is going to be the best superfight tournament, featuring the highest level of exciting talent to date.”

The first 4-Man Tournament (under 165 lbs.) features Marcelo “Lapela” Mafra (Cobra Kai/CheckMat) taking on Kyle Watson, a UFC Veteran & TUF Finalist. Miami submission hunter, Enrico Cocco (2-Time UFC Fan Expo Advanced Champion, #1 Lightweight in Southeast), takes on Las Vegas local, Jerry Shapiro of Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu under Sim Go. Alternate in tournament is Younes Jemni (Amilcar Cipilli “Mica” – Gracie Humaita).

The 2nd 4-Man Tournament (under 165 lbs.) features Bill Cooper (Strikeforce & 2-Time UFC Fan Expo Superfight Champion) challenging Andre Vaughan (Mica – Gracie Humaita) and on the other side of the bracket, local standout, Fredson Paxiao (4-Time World Jiu Jitsu Champion, UFC and WEC Veteran) takes on Justin Milos (10th Planet, Eddie Bravo, Undefeated in MMA) with Alternate: Daniel Aguilar (Multiple Time Grapplers Quest U.S. National and Brazilian Champion).

Then, on Saturday, July 7, the tournament will feature all-youth No-Gi grappling and all-adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo Divisions. The Two four-man superfight tournaments featuring will be prequel to the grappling Superfight featuring two titans of grappling, including reigning Abu Dhabi World No-Gi Absolute Champion, Dean Lister taking on Ricardo “Demente” Abreu, South American and European Jiu Jitsu Champion plus 2-Time Grapplers Quest UFC Fan Expo Advanced Division and Absolute Division Pro Champion. The Superfight will also be a 10 minute Submission Only match with 5 minute Overtime, if necessary.

BONUS SUPERFIGHT: If time permits and injuries barred, we will have the winners of each 4-Man Tournament compete for a $1,000 impromptu Superfight Bonus match!

$17,300 in Cash and Prize Packages for UFC Fan Expo Las Vegas:

$1,500 Men’s No-Gi Submission Grappling Advanced Absolute ($500 cash plus 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,500 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Absolute ($500 cash plus 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s No-Gi Intermediate Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s No-Gi Beginner Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s No-Gi Novice Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s Brown Belt Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s Purple Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s Blue Belt Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Men’s White Belt Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s Purple/Brown/Black Absolute ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s Blue Belt Absolute ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s BJJ White Belt Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s No-Gi Advanced Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s No-Gi Intermediate ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

 $1,100 Women’s No-Gi Beginner Absolute Package ($100 cash + 2012 sponsorship)

The grappling tournament is limited to 1,500 competitor slots.

 Competitor registration starting at just $99 includes:

 ● Full Access to the UFC Fan Expo both days ($50 value)

 ● Free Grapplers Quest at UFC Fan Expo Fighter T-Shirt by TapouT ($30)

 ● $20 off at-the-door pricing

 ● Free Entry into UFC Fan Expo Judo Throwdown Tournament ($60 value)

Registration Savings: end on Wednesday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m. PST – Space is limited, so register today at http://www.grapplersquest.com/products/competitor-registration-grapplers-quest-ufc-fan-expo-july-6-7-las-vegas.

Tickets for the UFC Fan Expo® are on sale NOW at http://ufcexpo-GQ.eventbrite.com. Tickets for Friday, July 6 are priced at $40 and tickets for Saturday, July 7 are $45. A two-day pass is also available for only$60. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets now and save because prices are higher at the door.

The UFC Fan Expo® in July will feature more than 300,000 gross square feet of activities for UFC fans, including meet and greets and autograph sessions with top UFC and STRIKEFORCE® fighters, Q&A sessions with top UFC personalities, as well as grappling tournaments and other special events. More than 100 exhibitors will also be on hand, giving fans the opportunity to purchase and experience some of the best sports and lifestyle products on the market today. This marks the third UFC Fan Expo® held in Las Vegas since its inception in 2009, with additional UFC Fan Expos being held in Boston, London, Toronto and Houston.

On top of all the great fan activities, the UFC Fan Expo® will be held in conjunction with a major UFC Pay-Per-View event scheduled for July 7 in Las Vegas.

For more information on UFC Fan Expo® and to purchase tickets, visit http://ufcexpo-GQ.eventbrite.com. Go to http://www.ufcfanexpo.com/newsletter to subscribe for the official UFC Fan Expo® newsletter. For companies interested in reserving space at this premier event, contact Brian Bernstein, Sales Executive at 203-840-5474 or email bbernstein@ufcfanexpo.com. Don’t wait, space is limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.