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Avant-Guard Promotions is proud to announce that MMA
Legend RICH FRANKLIN will be a part of Sarnia’s
first Mixed Martial Arts event, MELTDOWN IN THE
VALLEY Saturday December 3 at the RBC Centre.
Franklin will be one of the major draws to the
afternoon's MMA Expo on the concourse level of the
RBC Centre. He will be signing autographs and
talking with MMA fans throughout the duration of the
event. During the evening, Franklin will return to
the RBC for MELTDOWN IN THE VALLEY.
“Avant-Guard is proud to bring a fighter of Rich’s
quality and character to Meltdown in the Valley,”
CEO Woodrow James says. “Not only is Rich a face of
MMA, but his willingness to give back to fans was
the main reason we wanted him part of this historic
event.”
MELTDOWN IN THE VALLEY will feature 10 fully
sanctioned professional fights including Sarnia born
fighters John Fraser, Marcello Solinas and Joel
Paquette. "The Haggis Basher" Fraser will take on
Travis Reddinger in the main event, both are two of
the toughest bantamweights in the sport today.
Paquette will square off against Jason Meisel in a
battle of lightweights and Sarnia's superstar
Solinas will make his pro debut against Adam Hie
from Brantford.
Franklin, a Cincinnati native, is a former
middleweight champion. He is currently on leave from
the UFC as he heals from shoulder surgery, but hopes
to be back in the Octagon this summer. He has fought
and defeated many MMA legends including Chuck
Liddell. His professional record of 28-6-(1 no
contest) is one of the best in MMA history. Of his
28 wins, 15 were by knockout, 10 by submission and
three came by decision.
At 37-years-old, Franklin’s longevity in the both
mentally and physically draining sport has been his
conditioning and commitment to his craft. Franklin
is a master of kickboxing, muay thai, boxing,
wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His nickname
“Ace” came from his resemblance to Jim Carrey.
Franklin became a household name after knocking out
MMA Legend Ken Shamrock in the first round in 2005.
Since then he has fought nearly every big name in
Mixed Martial Arts in the middleweight and
light-heavyweight divisions.
A former high school teacher, Franklin has a
master’s degree in education from the University of
Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Supreme MMA announces Athletes that will compete at
MELTDOWN IN THE VALLEY:
Sarnia’s John Fraser (9-3) will take on St Paul,
Minnesota's Travis Reddinger (16-3) in a
bantamweight bout (135 lbs). Travis is MMA champion
in his home state and is a winner in 6 of last 7
bouts.
Local Marcello Solinas making professional debut
will take on Adam Hie of Brantford, Ontario in a
Middleweight bout (185 lbs). Adam is former world
Champion in the sport of Pankration.
Another Sarniaian making his professional debut will
be Joel Paquette as he will take on Caledonia's
Jason Meisel (1-0), Jason is former XCC Lightweight
Champion in his amateur days and has since made a
successful pro debut last month in Hamilton winning
by decision.
The buzz circulating Sarnia and area is the upcoming
mixed martial arts event on Saturday December 3rd.
Avant-Guard Promotions’ inaugural show Meltdown In
The Valley will feature world-class MMA action live
at the RBC Centre.
As an added bonus for the fans and community,
Avant-Guard is hosting an Expo headlined by MMA
legend and former champion Rich “Ace” Franklin. The
Expo will be held on the concourse of the RBC Centre
from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on December 3rd where Franklin
will be signing autographs.
Fans attending the Expo who have purchased a ticket
for the evening show will be let in free. All others
will be charged $5 for entry.
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@sarniasports.
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