Fourth Annual MMA World Expo Returns to New York City on December 1 & 2, 2012

(PRESS RELEASE) -- New York, NY -The mixed martial arts community will reconvene this December in New York City as the 4th annual MMA WORLD EXPO returns to the Jacob Javits Convention Center (in the North Pavilion). The Saturday through Sunday Expo will feature dozens of exhibits, professional MMA fighters, autograph sessions, live tournaments, training sessions, business seminars, fight organizations and several special events.

Leading the list of featured events will be NYC's first-ever Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Tournament held in association with FILA, International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles. The historic event will feature 48 fighters in six weight classes with competitors vying for international ranking within the FILA federation.

"The opportunity to work with an internationally renowned sports organization like FILA provides our MMA tournament with a highly organized, proven structure that ensures fair competition, excitement for fans and above-all, safety for the athletes" noted Paul Paone, MMA World Expo Founder and Director.

"FILA, the international governing body for Olympic wrestling, grappling, pankration, and amateur mixed martial arts, is proud to take part in the fourth edition of the World MMA Expo and hold the first FILA-sanctioned amateur MMA tournament ever organized in North America on that occasion," said Anne Pellaud, Head of the Sport and Communication Department of FILA. "Together with the local organizers, FILA will make sure to showcase a high-level and exciting competition based on key international principles, such as neutral refereeing, random draw and bracketing, open electronic scoring, and video replay to guarantee the BEST will win." Competition information, eligibility and registration info may be found on our website: http://mmaworldexpo.com/fila.php

Additional tournaments to take place over the 2-day event include the Big Apple BJJ Open which will feature Gi competition on Saturday, December 1 and No Gi competition on Sunday, December 2. In addition to dozens of weight classes and absolute divisions offered, the event will also feature black belt super fights on both days. Big Apple Tournament Director and Founder is legendary BJJ athlete and MMA fighter, Vitor Ribeiro. Competitor registration is now open. For more info: http://mmaworldexpo.com/bigapplebjj.php

The STS Challenge also returns for its second annual event in which athletes will compete in three individual rounds of combat sports: round 1: Muay Thai (S- for Striking) followed by round 2: Take Downs (T- for Take Downs) and round 3: No Gi Jiu Jitsu (S - For Submission). Various bouts will take place over the weekend event. Viewing is free with Expo admittance. For more info: http://www.mmaworldexpo.com/tournaments2012.php

Training seminars will once again be featured this December and will give athletes, both newcomers and seasoned fighters alike, unprecedented access to the world's leading MMA instructors all under one roof at one time. Seminars will take place on both show days. Past trainers included a virtual dream team of legendary fighters and coaches including Renzo Gracie (World-Famous BJJ Master), Jimmy Pedro (current USA Judo Olympic Team Coach), Kru Phil Nurse (Muay Thai trainer to UFC Champions), and Marcelo Garcia (BJJ Legend) among others. The 2012 training schedule will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

As in previous years, the MMA WORLD EXPO will conduct an in-depth panel discussion on the legalization issues surrounding MMA in New York State. State officials, reporters, practitioners, coaches, fans and NY MMA support groups will gather in an effort to pave a pathway to MMA legalization in New York. In addition, free business seminars designed to teach MMA school owners new sales strategies, share best practices, and network with the leading MMA business owners in the northeast will be offered as part of the 2012 agenda. Nutrition and training seminars will also be offered and are free to all attendees. For more info: http://www.mmaworldexpo.com/mmasessions2012.php

Leading MMA products, schools, fight organizations and related services will once again be on display led by companies such as: HEADRUSH, Xyience, Zebra Mats, TIGEAR, World Series of Fighting, Air National Guard, M-I Entertainment, FirmPOS Software, Ronin Athletics, MACS Martial Arts Supplies, ASEA, and many more.

In addition, the 2012 show will feature MMA legends and current stars. Past celebrity guests included the game's absolute biggest names: UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, Dan Severn, current UFC Champion Jon Jones, UFC legend Wanderlei Silva, Carlos Condit, Jim & Dan Miller, Fabricio Werdum and dozens more. The 2012 celebrity signers will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

General admission tickets for the Expo are $20 in advance and $25 on-site for a day pass, $35 in advance and $45 on-site for a two-day pass are on sale now via the show website, www.mmaworldexpo.com. For exhibitor and sponsorship inquiries, please visit: www.mmaworldexpo.com/exhibit2012.php