(PRESS RELEASE) -- Prestige FC will launch upon the mixed martial arts scene with its very first event, Prestige FC 1: Atonement, on Saturday, October 24th at Crescent Point Place in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
Media is invited to attend the official weigh-in for Prestige FC 1 taking place on Friday, October 23rd inside the Weyburn Travelodge beginning at 1 p.m. Fighters and Prestige FC staff will be available for interviews after the weigh-in. Media members are also invited to attend credentials for the fight card.
For fight fans and media unable to attend in person, Prestige FC 1 will be streamed online live via Access Communications. Log-in details will be released prior to the event.
Prestige FC has lined up an impressive card for its first event including three-time UFC competitor Mike Rhodes plus world-ranked Invicta lightweight Charmaine Tweet – the only woman who has squared-off against the two undisputed best female fighters in the world, Ronda Rousey and Cristian “Cyborg” Justino.
Main Event – Mike Rhodes vs. Taki Uluilakepa
Mike Rhodes (7-4) represents the prestigious Roufusport training centre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has produced such notables as former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and current UFC welterweight contender, and Rhodes training partner, Tyron Woodley.
Rhodes (Twitter: @TeamRocBiggie) has fought three times in the biggest MMA organization in the world, most recently at UFC Fight Night 58. The Waterloo, Iowa, native sports three knockouts on his career log plus a notable victory over current UFC welterweight Alan Jouban.
Uluilakepa (4-1-1) is a durable talent from Puyallup, Washington, and is coming off back-to-back wins for the second time in his career. The Rhodes-Uluilakepa bout will take place at a catchweight of 175 lbs.
Co-Main Event – Kurt Southern vs. Daniel Swain
For the first time in his pro career, Kurt Southern (13-6) will fight as a professional in his home province, and the matchup will also mark his debut in the featherweight division.
Southern (Twitter: @KurtSouthern) has restructured his approach under the guidance of Duane “Bang” Ludwig, one of the hottest trainers in mixed martial arts. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, product is a two-time challenger for the Maximum Fighting Championship’s lightweight title and holds notable victories over Jonatas Novaes and Mukai Maromo.
Daniel Swain (14-5-1) enters the Prestige FC cage riding a two-fight winning streak. The Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, native has captured 11 wins inside the distance including five knockouts. Swain (Twitter: @swain_mma) is trained by long-time MMA standout Trevor Prangley, a former UFC and Strikeforce fighter who also won titles under the MFC and KOTC banners.
Main Card Featured Bout – Charmaine Tweet vs. Anna Barone
Charmaine Tweet is one of the pioneers of women’s mixed martial arts in Canada and is currently recognized in the top-10 of the world lightweight rankings. Tweet (6-5) has won two of her last three appearances and all six of her victories have come in the first round including five via submission.
It will be a special night for Tweet (Twitter: @notsosweetmma) as she fights in front of fans in her home Province of Saskatchewan. Plus, there will be a highly combustible aura in the cage as Tweet and Barone finalize a trilogy of ill-will showdowns.
Barone, who fights out of Ottawa, Ontario, and is coached by former UFC and The Ultimate Fighter veteran Rich “No Love” Clementi, won the first fight between them with a knockout back in 2011, but Tweet avenged that loss with a submission victory in 2014.
Main Card Matchups
High-profile prospects and hard-charging veterans will clash throughout the remainder of the Prestige FC 1 main card. Lightweight Mandel Nallo (3-0) and bantamweight Louie Sanoudakis (3-0), who both fight out of the famed Tristar camp in Montreal, will take on a pair of upset-minded foes in Jose Rodriguez (7-4) and Eric Wilson (6-6). Both Rodriguez and Wilson will have the home-cage advantage as they fight in Saskatchewan for the first time as professionals.
Another prospect on the card is Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz (4-0) as the undefeated middleweight steps up in competition by facing Jordan McKay (7-2) who fights out of Calgary, Alberta. The main card is rounded out by Sheldon LeBlanc who attempts to ignite his hometown fans in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in a clash with veteran welterweight Corey Atkinson.
Preliminary Bouts
Prestige FC 1 will open with four prelim fights including the professional debut of Weyburn, Saskatchewan’s own Clayton Schira.
Schedule of Events for Prestige FC 1: Atonement
*WEIGH-IN* Friday, October 23rd 1 p.m. Weyburn Travelodge 53 Government Rd
Schedule to attend:
• Prestige FC CEO & Matchmaker Cord Crowthers and Prestige FC Owner/Promoter Derek Daku
• All Fighters including Mike Rhodes, Charmaine Tweet and Kurt Southern
*Media members can pick up accreditation for Prestige FC 1 at this time.
*FIGHT NIGHT* Saturday, October 24th Crescent Point Place
*Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
*Undercard bouts begin at 6 p.m.
*Main card bouts begin at 7:30 p.m. (approx.)