Melissa Ingram sent along the following:
Scottsdale, AZ. – July 9, 2008 – Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio announced last month that the organization had its sights set on UFC veteran Edwin Dewees as a possible replacement to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in Afflictions highly anticipated Affliction “Banned” show.
The official announcement was made today; Edwin “Bam Bam” Dewees signed a multi-fight deal with Affliction and will replace Vernon White in the July 19th show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We definitely had our sites set on Dewees and I am very happy to announce that he has signed a multi-fight deal with us,” Atencio said.”Dewees was our first choice as a replacement for White. He is a great addition to our All-World caliber card. Get ready for one hell of a fight!”
Edwin “Bam Bam” Dewees will take on former PRIDE superstar Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Nogueira (13-3) last competed for Hardcore Championship Fighting on February 1. In that fight, he recorded a second round TKO over Todd Gouwenberg. Prior to that fight, he hadn’t competed since February of 2007 at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas, where he suffered a notorious 23 second knockout at the hands of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.
Dewees, with a record of (35-12-0); trains out of MMA Legend Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den in Scottsdale, AZ. He is most recognized for his featured spot on Spike’s Ultimate Fighter, where a fight between Dewees and Gideon Ray became known as the bloodiest battle ever seen on the show. Dewees covered a profusely bleeding forehead with one hand while still dismantling his opponent with strikes to take away a win. Dewees last competed for the No Limits Heavyweight Title at Houston’s Arena Theater in April. The reining champion Richard Blake lost his belt to Dewees in just 1:27 into the first round.
“This is obviously a great opportunity for me. Affliction has done an unbelievable job in organizing a world class event, with some of the biggest names in the sport on the fight card.”
According to MMA Legend Ken Shamrock, “Dewees is at the top of his game. He has proven that he has impressive take down and submission skills, and now, through intense training at the Lion’s Den, he has also become very strong on his feet. Dewees has developed into a very well rounded fighter. He is ready for this fight and will do well.”
Affiction’s debut event “Affiction Banned” has a star-studded fight card. The main event will feature Russian heavyweight superstar Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko pitted against the 6 8″ American, Tim “the Maine-iac” Sylvia. Select fights will air live on Fox Sports Net television leading up to the main pay-per-view event.
About Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den
The Lion’s Den, founded in the early 1990s by MMA Legend and UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock, is one of the most recognizable and respected names in Mixed Martial Arts. Each Lion's Den training facility employs a world renowned team of instructors. Training programs are offered in Muay Thai/Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Grappling, Mixed Martial Arts and Sports Conditioning. Classes are set up to accommodate all ages and skill levels, from entry level students to world class athletes
Each Lion's Den facility is also represented by an elite team of athletes. The Lion’s Den Elite Fight Team is respected world wide across all MMA organizations and has achieved success in MMA competitions nationally and internationally. Lion’s Den Elite team members are hand picked by Ken Shamrock personally during a grueling tryout process.
