AOL Names Fedor Emelianenko Among Baddest Men on the Planet

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2007


According to web giant America Online (AOL), mixed martial arts fighter Fedor Emelianenko is the third “Baddest Man on the Planet”.

“There are few men more dangerous than this Russian MMA specialist, who is 6-feet, 227 pounds,” reads the caption appearing under a photo of the heavyweight’s last bout.

The Russian Red Devil gave a sold out crowd and President Vladimir Putin what they wanted at St. Petersburg’s famous ICE Palace Arena on April 14th, as he forced American Matt "The Law" Lindland to submit in the very first round of the much anticipated pay-per-view event Bodog Fight: Fedor Emelianenko vs Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations. Visit www.bodogfight.com for details.


Fedor Emelianenko versus Matt Lindland
Following the fight, Emelianenko’s gloves were auctioned off to raise money for the Calvin Ayre Foundation, with $116,000 US donated to a local orphanage.

Considered to be the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter by most in the MMA industry, Emelianenko ranks behind Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor and fellow MMA athlete Chuck Liddell, who tops the AOL list.

In an online poll, however, AOL members rank Emelianenko second to Liddell with the Russian garnering 20 percent of the votes.

Other notable names making the list include boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., NHL enforcer Georges Laraque, and curiously golfer Tiger Woods.

Visit the following URL to cast your vote for “Baddest Man on the Planet”:

http://sports.aol.com/photos/baddest-man-on-the-planet-gallery

About Bodog.TV

Bodog.TV is a division of the international digital entertainment giant Bodog Entertainment. With six offices located around the globe, this production and distribution division features a diverse and growing roster of television shows. Some of Bodog Television’s latest programs include: A MMA fight series, BodogFight season’s I-IV (BodogFight.com); a poker lifestyle and reality show, Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker I and II ( Bodog.TV); a million-dollar indie band search competition, Bodog Battle (BodogBattle.com ), which features legendary Sex Pistols front man Johnny Rotten. Bodog Television’s creator Calvin Ayre is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry and was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or press@bodog.tv. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.
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"The Colonel" Joins BodogFight Commentary Team

"The Colonel" Joins BodogFight Commentary Team

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2007

One of the most famous voices in sports broadcasting is joining the BodogFight family. Veteran play-by-play announcer Bob Sheridan-the man who called the Rumble in the Jungle-will make his BodogFight debut at the much-anticipated pay-per-view BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations.

"The Colonel" will team up with MMA broadcasters Paul Lazenby, Jeff Osborne, and roving reporter Aleks Paunovic for the event, which is set to take place April 14th at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

"We are delighted to welcome 'The Colonel' to our broadcast crew," said Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre. "As someone who has been in the fight game since 1966, he brings with him a great deal of broadcasting experience. Fans will instantly recognize his venerable voice, and his exhilarating style is sure to match the excitement of the sport itself."

A master on the microphone, Sheridan is perhaps best known among boxing fans for calling more than 800 championship bouts. His voice provided the soundtrack for some of history's biggest fights, including Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman in Zaire and Ali versus Joe Frazier in Manila. He's been ringside for epic battles featuring Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran, and was behind the microphone when Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear.

According to Sheridan, the key to his longevity is painstaking preparation, which does not alter with who's in the ring.

"I prepare for every fight today like it was my first, and I prepare for each undercard fight the same way I prepare for the main event," he said.

Fight fans will hear more from "The Colonel" beginning April 17th when BodogFight returns to Costa Rica for a whole new season! For more information, visit www.BodogFight.com.

About Bodog Entertainment

Bodog Entertainment offers a host of entertainment services, including: an international television production division, which produces television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (Bodog.TV); an international record label (BodogMusic.com); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattle.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and blog, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or press@bodog.tv. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.
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Matt "The Law" Lindland Seeks Russian Revenge

Matt "The Law" Lindland Seeking Russian Revenge

For Immediate Release

April 3, 2007

It's not quite David vs. Goliath, but it could be considered a mismatch on paper. Fortunately for Matt Lindland, the No. 1-ranked middleweight mixed martial arts fighter in the world, he'll be live in living color when he steps into the ring - and up two weight classes - to take on the top-ranked heavyweight on the planet, Fedor Emelianenko.

"I think I am a bad match up for anybody in the world," says the "The Law", who plans to come out with guns blazing when he meets the 230-pound Russian Red Devil at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg on April 14th.

"I'm very aggressive. I get right in my opponent's face and don't let them breathe, and that's what I plan to do to him. I'm not going to give him any time to rest. I'm going to press the pace, and hopefully he makes a mistake and I get him."

With a MMA record of 20 wins - 4 losses - 0 draws and wins over names like Baroni, Lutter, Miletich and Horn, the Portland, Oregon native has very good reasons to be confident. But just how does this 4X4 truck driving, tobacco chewing, country music listening, baseball cap wearing, All-American middleweight plan to handle a heavyweight like Fedor, who is 25-1-0 and outweighs him by almost forty pounds?

"I'm trying to build up as much as I can," admits Lindland. "But I'm not going to stress on getting too heavy. It's not going to be the key to this fight. I think I need to out-move and out-hustle him, and come in in better shape. But it's hard to get into super good shape and keep a lot of weight on. The harder I train, the harder it is to keep the weight on."

The former Greco-Roman wrestler has also revealed his motivation for the fight, which dates back to his silver medal winning performance at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

"Russia is one of the strongest nations in the world, and when I wrestled we always wanted to beat the Russians. But in my Olympic finals I lost the gold to a Russian (Mourat Kardanov), so this would be great revenge."

"Matt is very determined," echoes Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre. "Anyone who thinks he can't win this fight doesn't know Matt. Most people agree Fedor is one of the best fighters in the world, but Matt is also highly regarded, and I expect he'll show us why on April 14th in Russia."

BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations, brought to you by BodogFight and M-1, will be available via satellite to more than 44 million households in the United States of America exclusively on the Dish Network and In Demand, and to more than 3 million households in Canada via Viewers Choice, Shaw, and Bell ExpressVu. Details available on www.BodogFight.com/ppv/.

About Bodog Entertainment

Bodog Entertainment offers a host of entertainment services, including: an international television production division, which produces television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (Bodog.TV); an international record label (BodogMusic.com); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattle.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and blog, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or press@bodog.tv . BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.
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The Half-Guarded Truth: CroCop goes home, Fedor travels abroad

“The Half-Guarded Truth”
By: Mike Coughlin
MichaelCoughlin@f4wonline.com
Myspace.com/halfguardedtruth
www.f4wonline.com
For the week of 03/25/07

“CroCop goes home, Fedor travels abroad.”

With a UFC Fight Night and PPV both upcoming, I wasn’t planning on writing a column this week. Then, Zuffa had to up and make the biggest move in insider MMA history, so that changed a bit. First of all, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Zuffa purchasing PRIDE is the biggest news of all time to folks who have been longtime followers of both promotions. Those people, a cabal of which I’m a part, are a small minority of the North American MMA fan base. Whatever the paltry number is that PRIDE draws on PPV, that’s the number of people that care about this news. The other one million plus that paid to see Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz do battle for a second time not only don’t care about this, they likely don’t know about it.

Lucky me, ya’ll reading this are much closer to the former than the latter, so I can proceed.

(I do also note the funny twist of events where WWE announces plans to expand worldwide and then the UFC beats them to the punch. Dana White’s the new Vince McMahon, yada yada yada.)

Now then, everyone and their mother will be screaming from the hilltops what Dana White and the brothers Fertitta should do with their new toy. I suppose the chorus can use one more member.

Someday, perhaps, I’ll do one of those, “in depth, laid all out from head to toe, this is what needs to be done and it’ll make the company bigger than the NFL and The Premiership combined” write-ups. Today, though, I’m going to give one suggestion in hopes that a single falling star will draw more attention than a million constellations. And I write the following with the assumption that PRIDE has all it’s major players under contract. If that pesky BodogFIGHT group makes a muck of my plans, blame them, not me.

Presuming the plan is to keep the two top heavyweights on earth in separate organizations, I say: Swap Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko “CroCop” Filipovic.

That’s it. That’s my big idea.

As of today, CroCop has had one fight in the UFC. He did well in dispatching Eddie Sanchez, and you’d have to look far and wide to find anyone that doesn’t think CroCop is the favorite to be the eventual UFC heavyweight champion, but he’s still a new kid on the block and it’s not like he’s a proven drawing card, ala Chuck Liddell. The selling point of CroCop to UFC fans has been pretty simple: this dude is an unstoppable killing machine, who honed his skills around the world, and has now come to the UFC to become champion. He’s a deadly killer from Eastern Europe, who doesn’t talk much, but who will treat opponents’ heads like a kickball.

If the UFC brings in Fedor, how do they market him? As a stoic, Eastern European murdering machine (a term that has been used by darn near everyone to describe the PRIDE heavyweight champion), that honed his skills around the world and has now come to … well, you get the idea.

In short, to the average UFC fan, Fedor and CroCop are essentially the same fighter. CroCop’s highlight reel may be a bit flashier, but Fedor’s got that all-important claim: greatest fighter walking the planet, now and maybe ever. Either way, it’s six of one, half dozen of the other.

The big difference is that in Japan, Mirko is a true star. Don’t get me wrong, Fedor’s a star in Japan, and the Japanese fans know him and respect him, but CroCop is one of a select few non-Japanese stars to ever really crossover into the mainstream. And the mainstream is where the difference between popular and legendary finds a home. For whatever reason, maybe it’s the non-exposure in K1, or the lack of truly high profile wins, but Fedor has not made that transition. (While Fedor’s list of victories is obviously more impressive to hardcore fans, CroCop’s wins over people like Sakuraba and Bob Sapp, when both were at their peak, along with the storyline of his being the “pro-wrestling killer” have gotten him a great deal more Japanese exposure.)

This isn’t to say that Fedor isn’t a star in Japan, but he isn’t a star on the CroCop level. And since both are equal in North America, but one is clearly superior in Japan, why not swap? Sure, the UFC will have spent resources promoting CroCop, and you never want to waste precious TV and PPV time, but just think of it as a long-term investment. It’s not like Gabriel Gonzaga and Eddie Sanchez were going to be major players for the company and when the unification match happens in the future, the UFC fans will have already seen CroCop in action, making the fight an easier sell.

Plus, from the UFC’s perspective, Fedor’s a safer bet than CroCop. For all this talent, Filipovic can still be flaky. When people envision him fighting men like Randy Couture, they can picture a lazy CroCop being mentally beaten. It may not be likely, but if it happens it wouldn’t a complete shock. The only precedent Fedor has ever set is that he’s unbeatable. When choosing an unstoppable monster to focus upon, always go for the guy who hasn’t shown a weakness. Why use Achilles when Zeus is available?

The UFC gains an incredible heavyweight to build the division around, PRIDE gains a legit drawing card (which, with Yoshida looking the way he has lately, it desperately needs at this moment), and they can both still be built up for the giant rematch later down the road.


Make sure to listen to Mike Coughlin as he hosts Five Star Radio, found exclusively at www.f4wonline.com.
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BodogFight, the Brothers Emelianenko Make Mixed Martial Arts History

BodogFight, the Brothers Emelianenko Make Mixed Martial Arts History

Russian heavyweights will fight at home for first time during April 14 PPV

For Immediate Release

March 27, 2007

It's difficult to imagine the two baddest brothers on the planet have never fought professionally on their home soil. That situation will soon change thanks to BodogFight. Fedor and Aleksander Emelianenko will make their BodogFight debuts when they headline the much-anticipated pay-per-view spectacle on April 14 at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The two heavyweights are already household names in Japan, but have waited a long time to show off their considerable mixed martial arts skills to their own comrades and are thrilled to finally get the opportunity.

"I will try to do my best to show a fine fight for my Russian fans," says 30-year-old Fedor. The world's number-one ranked heavyweight is scheduled to take on American Olympic silver-medalist Matt "the Law" Lindland in BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations.

"Our fans wished we could have fights in Russia a long time ago, so I hope they will cheer loudly for us at the ICE Palace," he adds.

While the 230-pound Fedor (24-1) is anxious to put on a good show, he admits he doesn't know a whole lot about his 185-pound opponent. Lindland has a 20-4 record, but will be fighting for the first time as a heavyweight.

"I do know Matt is a good fighter who makes a strong attack when he stands. He will also be putting on weight for this fight, so I am preparing myself seriously at an Olympic mountain training camp in Kislovodsk," Fedor says.

It was Fedor's commitment to training that helped usher his younger brother Aleksander into the sport of MMA. Instead of babysitting Aleks, who is five years his junior, Fedor would take him along to Sambo practice. Learning to imitate his brother's moves, Aleks soon went on to train with the legendary Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov. Eventually, he became a two-time Russian national Sambo champion, and a two-time world Sambo champion, and is now ranked among the top 10 heavyweights in the world.

Fittingly, the 253-pound Aleksander (9-3) will precede his older brother and fellow Red Devil Sport Club member into the ring as he squares off against 340-pound American Eric "Big" Pele (10-2) in a super-hot heavyweight matchup that promises to melt the walls of the ICE Palace.

"We are thrilled to have the Emelianenko brothers fighting for BodogFight in Russia," Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre says. "They are true superstars of the sport and their participation in this one-of-a-kind event makes it an absolute must-see for all fans of MMA."

Don't miss the chance to watch these "Sons of Sambo" in action, as they attempt to add to their already impressive MMA legacy in their beloved Russia.

Presented by BodogFight and M-1, Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations will be available via satellite in more than 44 million households in the United States exclusively on the Dish Network and In Demand, and to more than 3 million households in Canada via Viewers Choice, Shaw and Bell ExpressVu. Details available on www.BodogFight.com/ppv/.

About Bodog Entertainment

Bodog Entertainment offers a host of entertainment services, including: an international television production division, which produces reality television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (Bodog.TV); an international record label (BodogMusic.com); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattleoftheBands.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and news service, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or pr@bodog.com. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.

BodogFight's PPV Clash of the Nations: Russia's Fedor Emelianenko vs. USA's Matt Lindland

BodogFight's PPV Clash of the Nations: Russia's Fedor Emelianenko vs. USA's Matt Lindland

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2007

BodogFight announces today a mammoth card for a Superfight pay-per-view spectacular that promises to be raved about for ages. On Saturday, April 14, live from the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, "BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations" takes place before an international audience in what will be an unforgettable event in mixed martial arts history.

Lindland, the No. 1-ranked middleweight fighter in the world, steps up in weight class to take on the top-ranked heavyweight fighter on the planet, Fedor Emelianenko - and Lindland will fight on the Russian superstar's home turf. So, is he nuts?

"Yes, I am crazy," confirms Lindland, who has agreed to a six-fight deal with Bodog Entertainment. "That's why I got into this sport, but I don't make a habit of taking fights I don't feel I can win. I want to fight the best guys out there, and I appreciate BodogFight giving me the opportunity to fight the very best."

Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre is certainly looking forward to the event, which will be rich with the style and entertainment appeal that Bodog is famous for. "Fedor and Matt are both superstars in the world of MMA, and being able to showcase both of them on the same card is very exciting," Ayre said. "With BodogFight, we aim to offer fans the absolute best in MMA entertainment, and as this event will show, we're throwing down the gauntlet."

This event will also mark the first time Fedor Emelianenko will appear on the same card as his brother, Aleksander, who will fight American Jiu-Jitsu specialist Eric "Big" Pele. Needless to say, the Emelianenko brothers will be anxious to put on a show at the ICE Palace in front of their hometown fans.

Also included on the card will be the winners of the hit reality show BodogFight: St. Petersburg, who will each compete for a cash prize and a contract.

Join veteran play-by-play announcer Colonel Bob Sheridan, color commentator Paul Lazenby, and special guest host and BodogMusic artist Bif Naked for all the action, beginning with the half-hour Countdown Show airing at 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PST) on April 14, 2007. This preview will be followed by the three-hour PPV show at 9:00 p.m. EST (6:00 p.m. PST) that will be viewed by millions worldwide.

"BodogFight: Fedor Emelianenko vs Matt Lindland, Clash of the Nations" PPV will be available on a number of PPV distributors - check local listings for your area. More details available soon on www.BodogFight.com/PPV.

About Bodog Entertainment

Bodog Entertainment offers a host of entertainment services, including: an international television production division, which produces reality television series, such as BodogFight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (Bodog.TV); an international record label (BodogMusic.com); a million-dollar band search competition (BodogBattleoftheBands.com); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and news service, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling "Billionaires" issue in March 2006. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or pr@bodog.com. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.