FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Elyria OH. April 20, 2011 – Ohio based mixed martial arts fight promotion Rocktagon MMA recently announced that their highly touted “Amateur Elite” mixed martial arts series is returning to Elyria, Ohio on April 23. In true Rocktagon MMA style “Amateur Elite Series 5” is loaded with the best Amateur MMA talent on the East Coast. The event will feature 12 exciting amateur fights, including the organizations first title unification match since the American Hardcore MMA/Rocktagon MMA merger. “Amateur Elite Series 5” will take place on Saturday, April 23 at Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio.
In the main event, lightweight champions Garret “The Sickness” Sahene and Marcus Washington will go head to head in the organizations first title unification match. Sahene and Washington have both proven that they are force to be reckoned with in the MMA arena, but only one can emerge as Rocktagon MMA’s amateur lightweight champion. The co-main event will feature a highly anticipated bout between local hard hitting light heavyweights Tony Dipiero and Darnell Hicks.
Tony Dipiero (6-4), Rocktagon MMA’s current light heavyweight champion, has fought the who’s who of local fighters in the 205lb division, including Dustin Carter and Jason Butcher. Dipiero recently clinched the organizations light heavyweight “Amateur Elite Series” title by defeating MMA standout Steve Burton. Dipiero has no plans of slowing down and is eager to add more notable wins to his record. He will get that chance on April 24 when he steps into the cage to face fellow local MMA phenom Darnell Hicks. This promises to be an explosive fight from start to finish, as Dipiero’s main objective is to hand Hicks the first KO loss of his career.
Darnell Hicks (5-5), a self-taught mixed martial artist known for his aggressive fight style, is confident that he will have his had raised at the end of the fight. He clinched his most recent victory at Friday Night Fights, defeating his opponent in less than two minutes into the first round. Hick’s is looking to add another championship belt to his collection, and has his eye on the “Amateur Elite Series” light heavyweight title. If he defeats Dipiero, the organization will give Hick’s that chance.
*Official “Amateur Elite Series 5” Fight Card:
Garret Sahene vs. Marcus Washington
Tony Dipeiro vs. Darnell Hicks
Kyle Booth vs. Bill Elek
Alan Hoelzle vs. James Pfeiffer
Dan Guillims vs. Marquis Allen
William Stewart vs. Kyle Rozanski
Alex Brown vs. Robert Hawken
Tony Rottari vs. Andrew Ricketts
Mathew Campbell vs. JJ Leviege
Perry Thomas vs. Anthony Tabby
Chad Wright vs. Leon Klee
Aleksey Itunin vs. Mike Stuck
*Card subject to change
Join Rocktagon MMA on Saturday, April 23 at Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio. Doors open at 5:00 pm ET. Fights begin at 7:00 pm ET. Tickets range from $25.00 to $35.00 at the door. Save $5.00 now by purchasing your tickets in advance! Tickets can be purchased online at www.rocktagonmma.com. Limited VIP Tables are also available. Please call 440-731-1321 for more information.
“Amateur Elite Series 5” will be the first Rocktagon MMA event made available to fans via Videos On Demand (VOD) by way of GFL Combat Sports – Your 24/7 Combat Connection. Fans can order the “Amateur Elite Series 5” VOD starting on April 24, 2011. For more information on GLF Combat Sports or the order the VOD, please log on to www.gfl.tv. For more information on Rocktagon MMA, please visit www.rocktagonmma.com.
