World Cagefighting Alliance Seeks to Fill Northeast, East Coast Niche
December 4, 2008
With so many fight promotions going belly up recently, the buzz phrase in the industry has become “the next Strikeforce,” with World Cagefighting Alliance being the newest group to assume that mantle. It is interesting to see IFL (and UFC) vet Keith Evans involved with this project. The IFL, during it’s dying days of 2008, shifted their focus from a traveling promotion that traversed the country to one that focused mostly on the Northeast Corridor, with cards in New Jersey and Connecticut.
The shift in concept was strong on the principles, but executed to late in the game to help the company’s fortunes. The localized focus for both venue and talent allowed for a better handle on costs, but the company retained a national focus with distribution deals with HDNet and FSN that kept a national focus to the product. Being able to broker those deals will be the difference between these groups being a regional promtion and being “The Next Strikeforce.”
The East Coast looks to be a hotbed, in addition to the WCA, you have the UWC looking to establish a strong hold in the Mid-Atlatnic area as well as Monte Cox bringing his Extreme Challenge shows to the East Coast with hometown boy Eddie Alvarez as a strong draw. These groups are in addition to groups like those of Lou Neglia’s Ring Of Combat that already have strong track records in the region.
NEW YORK, December 3, 2008 – World Cagefighting Alliance (www.WCAfights.com) has formed a Mixed Martial Arts Organization that will establish their fight promotions on the east coast. Their first event called “Pure Combat” will be premiering in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Friday, February 6, 2009 at the Boardwalk Hall Ballroom. Tickets on sale now, priced at $100, $75, $60 and $50. Cageside seats are available at $150. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-736-1420. More information on fighters, tickets and a seating chart can be found at out www.WCAfights.com. The first fight begins at 7:30 PM.
The World Cagefighting Alliance, “Pure Combat” event will feature some of the best East Coast rising talent in the sport. The Co-Main Event fight will feature a New Jersey Flavor pitting Welterweights Rich Ashkar (Team Oliveira) fighting out of Redbank, NJ against USKBA Champ Tom Gallicchio (Team Pellegrino) out of Toms River, NJ. Included in other match-ups will be Vineland, NJ standouts and former Cage Fury Lightweight champ, Al Buck (Team Evolution) taking on Jose Rodriquez (Rhino Fight Team) out of Keansburg, NJ. Other Welterweight bouts include; Doug Gordon (Team Rush) from Maryland will go against Mike Medrano (Rhino Fight Team) from New Jersey and Brian Demuro (Team Balance) out of New Jersey will fight Cortland, NY’s Eric Henry (Bombsquad MMA). Featherweights Doug Solnier (Fight Firm / Fight Unit) fighting out of Philadelphia, PA. will fight Steve D’Angellis (Bombsquad MMA) out of Tom’s River, NJ.
In addition, Derek Panza, a 10-year veteran of the mixed martial arts industry and owner of Panza Mixed Martial Arts, is named President of the start-up MMA organization.
“We are excited to announce the formation of the WCA and the new vision for the sport on the east coast” said Derek Panza, President of WCA. “Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in America, It is the boxing of the 21st century.” “We have seen the success and growth of Mixed Martial Arts globally and are looking forward to bringing a new and exciting perspective to it. We have put together a strong team to lead our organization.” Gary Marino formerly with Cage Fury and other fight organizations will head up the Matchmaking. Keith Evans formerly with the UFC and IFL will handle operations. “We are looking forward to our Inaugural Event. It’s our mission to create excitement in the cage and it’s our goal is to take MMA to a new level on the East Coast. We are excited to have HDnet’s “Inside MMA” scheduled to cover this event and we are currently looking into television and other broadcast partnerships,” he went on to say.
