World Combat League Announces 2007-08 Schedule; VERSUS Remains Television Partner

World Combat League Announces 2007-08 Schedule; VERSUS Remains Television Partner

League is 'long-term player on mixed-martial arts landscape'

DALLAS, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- After a highly-successful inaugural season that surpassed even the most optimistic projections for arena attendance and television ratings, the World Combat League returns this fall with three new teams, an expanded bout schedule and a more comprehensive television agreement with the VERSUS network.

Last season, the WCL was the VERSUS network's fourth-highest rated property, ranking ahead of the National Hockey League.

"We're a long-term player on the mixed-martial arts landscape," said WCL founder and martial arts legend Chuck Norris. "The WCL has been a 35-year dream of mine, and to see how quickly it was embraced by both fans and television sponsors surprised even me. There is a hunger out there for team mixed-martial arts that put skill and athleticism ahead of hype and brutality. It's a stand up combat sport. We are doing what the spectators want, 'Knock outs not tap outs.' That's the WCL's approach. It's a long term strategy that we believe will keep this sport strong and vibrant long after sensationalism ceases to create headlines."

The 2007-08 WCL season gets under way Saturday, Oct. 20 at Denver's Broomfield Event Center, where bouts will take place featuring the league's four Western Conference squads: the Oklahoma Destroyers vs. the Texas Dragons and the Los Angeles Stars vs. the newly-formed Denver Fury. The league's Eastern Conference includes the New York Clash, Miami Force and the expansion New Jersey Tigers and St. Louis Enforcers (previously Houston Enforcers).

A complete 2007-08 WCL schedule is available at the WCL's website, wcl.tv.

Each team consists of six fighters (including one female) and each individual fights two-3 minute rounds. "Our matches are non-stop action," said Norris. "It's the most exciting three minutes of mixed-martial arts anywhere. The athletes get into the ring and go full throttle. In fact, the WCL had a 34-percent knockout rate last season, which is tops anywhere. If a fighter try's to slow the pace of the fight down, they will be penalized for passivity."

VERSUS will package the season into 20 one-hour shows, which will also be distributed internationally. By limiting the bouts to three minutes each, every show is guaranteed 10-12 fights.

   Contact:  Tony Fay             Triton Sports Publicity             (214) 631-7747             tfay@tritonsports.net  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: WCL

CONTACT: Tony Fay of Triton Sports Publicity, +1-214-631-7747,
tfay@tritonsports.net, for WCL

Web site: http://wcl.tv/

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Profile: International Entertainment