(PRESS RELEASE) -- Tacoma, WA (April 23rd, 2013) – Two titles will be on the line Saturday night, when Halquist Productions returns to the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA on Saturday, April 27th for CageSport XXIV. A big night is in store for Halquist Productions and CageSport as the event will be televised for the first time since CageSport XXI was televised regionally on ROOT SPORTS.
CageSport has joined the United Fight Alliance (UFA) Network and will be airing on UFA’s television network distribution channels which reach over 100 million homes.
“Jay Adams and I have been working for months to put our deal together. The fit of our companies is perfect and we look for great things to happen being under the UFA banner,” said promoter, Brian Halquist.
Headlining the action in the co-main event will be the top bantamweight contenders in the Northwest, Cory Vombaur (5-2) and Josh Rettinghouse (7-1), battling it out for the interim CageSport bantamweight championship. Brandon Hempleman (9-1), the current CageSport bantamweight champion, was originally scheduled fight Vombaur, but pulled out due to unknown reasons and will not be able to defend his title at CageSport XXIV. Fight fans will also be treated to Brent Knopp (4-0) defending his middleweight title for the first time against John Heath (6-6).
Limited tickets are still available for CageSport XXIV. Tickets can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office or through Ticketmaster. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible as the 2000 seat showroom is close to a sellout.
With Hempleman’s title status in question, Halquist Productions decided to go with an interim title match between Vancouver’s Cory Vombaur and Spokane’s Josh Rettinghouse. If Hempleman becomes eligible to return to CageSport and wants to keep the bantamweight title, he will have to fight the winner of the bout between Vombaur and Rettinghouse, otherwise the April 27th victor will be named the CageSport bantamweight champion.
Brent “Mankill” Knopp has made his name known throughout the Northwest, training out Matt Hume’s AMC Pankration in Kirkland and starting off his pro career with a perfect 4-0 record. Knopp was considered a top prospect coming out of the amateurs with a 24-2 record and has already solidified himself as the top middleweight in the region by becoming the CageSport champion of the weight class after defeating Darrio Mobley for the second time at CageSport XXIII.
Eight other bouts featuring all northwest fighters will take place throughout the night. Below is the full fight card for CageSport XXIV
Brent Knopp (4-0) vs. John Heath (6-6) – CageSport Middleweight Championship
Josh Rettinghouse (7-1) vs. Cory Vombaur (5-2) – CageSport Interim Bantamweight Championship
Alfonso Gonzales (1-0) vs. Darrio Mobley (1-3)
Zach Skinner (7-6) vs. Arjay Murphy (1-1-1)
Julian Erosa (9-1) vs. Jason Gybels (4-3)
Kasey White (0-1) vs. Gustavo Lopez (1-0)
Scott McDonald (Pro Debut) vs. Paul Njoku (2-0)
Aaron Martin (1-0) vs. Austin Springer (2-0)
Trevor Sojot (4-7) vs. Emanuel Russell (1-0)
Dex Montenegro (1-1) vs. Christian Ortiz (1-4)
About CageSport and Halquist Productions: Halquist Productions’ CageSport MMA series has quickly grown into the premier MMA promotion in the Northwest featuring the only card consisting of all professional fights. Many fighters such as: Miesha Tate, Bryan Caraway, Sam Sicilia, John Albert, and Michael Chiesa have all fought on previous CageSport promotions to showcase their talents and are currently signed on with the UFC.
Halquist Productions has built a world class promotion featuring live boxing and MMA action at the Emerald Queen Casino that have been seen on ESPN, ESPN 2, HBO, and Showtime. For more information about CageSport XXIV and all other Halquist Production events, please visit the official Facebook and Twitter Pages along with the official website www.halquistproductions.com
About Jay Adams: Adams has over 25 years of hosting and production experience and currently hosts two popular combat sports television shows, United Fight Alliance and “Jay’s Brawl Call.” He is a passionate television pro who has received two Emmy Nominations and an Emmy win. Throughout his career Adam’s has worked with some of the top companies in the world, including FOX Sports Network, ABC-Miami, Disney, and CNBC. Jay Adams can also be seen commentating for leading MMA promotions worldwide. Click here for highlights.
About United Fight Alliance: United Fight Alliance (UFA), a one hour MMA television program, airing to over 100 million homes is an affiliation of MMA promotions working together to bring you the best MMA from around the world and to build awareness for the sport. Watch as some of the biggest names in MMA fight toe to toe in the cage and you’ll see exclusive footage, interviews and fighter profiles. United Fight Alliance features top ranked fighters, women’s fights, intense action and more. Learn more about UFA at www.UnitedFightAlliance.com.
UFA shows are broadcast to over 100 million homes and sports establishments - airing nationally on DIRECTV, Dish Network, and ATT U-Verse, and locally on ROOT SPORTS, TUFF TV, Punch TV and Comcast Sports Net - Chicago. Check with your provider for local listings. For more information on Jay Adams or United Fight Alliance, please visit www.unitedfightalliance.com or inquire via email at info@brawlcall.com.