Penn, Fitch, Sots, Noke to Meet Fans in Oz

Sydney, Australia – Aussie fans have the chance to meet the stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation at the Sports Theatre, Star City, Sydney on Tuesday 14th December from 6:00pm and at EB Games, Swanston Street, Melbourne, on Thursday, 16th December from 5:00pm.

Two-time UFC world champion BJ Penn, top welterweight contender Jon Fitch, and the two most recognisable Aussies in the sport - George Sotiropoulos and Kyle Noke - will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

“Our Aussie fans are amongst the most loyal in the world so we’re bringing out some of the biggest names in the UFC to thank them for their support,” said Marshall Zelaznik, Managing Director of UFC in Australia.   “This will be the UFC’s first public appearance ever in Melbourne and I’ve no doubt we’ll have hundreds of fans turnout to meet us.”

Sydney details:
Where: Sports Theatre, Star City
Address: 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Date: Tuesday, 14th December
Time: From 6:00pm
Please note: The Sports Theatre is an over 18s venue

Melbourne details:
Where: EB Games
Address: 67 Swanston Street (near Collins Street intersection)
Date: Thursday, 16th December
Time: From 5:00pm

A true legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, Hawaiian BJ “the Prodigy” Penn is regarded by many as the greatest lightweight to ever step into the Octagon and is one of only two men in UFC history to win titles in two different weight divisions.

Californian Jon Fitch is renowned for holding one of the longest running winning streaks in the UFC, with eight consecutive wins inside the Octagon. Fitch will take on Penn in the welterweight main event at UFC 127 in Sydney in February 2011.

Hailing from Geelong, George Sotiropoulos, is arguably Australia’s most successful competitor in the UFC. His home-coming follows a win at UFC 123 in Detroit on 20th November and he remains undefeated in the UFC after seven bouts.

Born in Dubbo, NSW, Kyle Noke grew up playing basketball and rugby before pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. Formerly a bodyguard for Steve “The Croc Hunter” Irwin, Noke now divides his time between the Queensland Sunshine Coast and Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Noke recently appeared on the UFC’s reality TV program, The Ultimate Fighter, making it through to the quarter finals and scoring a contract with the organisation.