PRESS RELEASE

HAMILTON -- Let’s Get It On MMA (LGIO MMA) announced today the launch of Canada’s first mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament that is seeking to crown the next MMA stars in this country at 155 lbs and 170 lbs.

The tournament begins April 23rd in the west at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton and will then travel east the following month May 21st to Casino Lac- Leamy in the Ottawa Gatineau region.

Each month LGIO MMA events will go back and forth to these two host locations as the tournament unfolds over a nine month period culminating with the finals on Dec 10th at the River Cree Resort and Casino, pitting the best in the west at 155 and 170 against the top counter parts coming out of the east at the same weighs.

At the helm of this promotion is Elaine McCarthy. If that name sounds familiar to you, keep in mind she is married to "Big" John McCarthy who is regarded as one of the top officials in the sport of MMA. However, that’s where John’s involvement ends.

"This is entirely my promotion and John has absolutely nothing to do with this. People are asking if he is going to be officiating at my shows, and the answer is always the same …no.

"In fact there have been days because of the hectic pace of the promotion where we don’t even see each other."

McCarthy boasts an impressive resume on her own having been the former event coordinator for the UFC when it started in 1993. She is the current program coordinator of the international MMA officials training course known as COMMAND and successfully runs one of the biggest MMA gyms in southern California.

The tournament format is only open to Canadian fighters; however additional matches will include fighters from other countries on each monthly LGIO card. Additionally there will be various MMA star power guests who will be in attendance for each event.

"We really want to create a show that has something for all MMA fans to enjoy and get their monies worth each time out and that is what we are striving to deliver," said McCarthy.