FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESURRECTION FIGHTING ALLIANCE HEADS TO MYSTIC LAKE FOR RFA 19 CHECCO vs. COLLIER OCTOBER 10
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PRIOR LAKE, MN AUGUST 27, 2014 ­ Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced that the promotion will be bringing an exciting middleweight world title fight to the Mystic Showroom at Mystic Lake on Friday, October 10. RFA 19 Checco vs. Collier will feature a main event between two of the world's top middleweight prospects as undefeated Brazilian fighter Gabriel Checco battles American standout Jake Collier for the vacant RFA middleweight title. In the co-main event, UFC and RFA vet Jeff Curran ends a 14-month retirement from the sport to face fast-rising prospect and Minnesota favorite Carl Deaton III. The entire main card will be televised live nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. Central.

I'm thrilled to announce that the RFA will be bringing an exciting middleweight title fight to Minnesota, stated Soares. Gabriel Checco and Jake Collier are two of the top-ranked middleweight prospects in the world and they can finish fights anywhere. On October 10, the RFA will crown a great new champion.

Checco (7-0) makes his highly anticipated international debut after dispatching the first seven men he has faced in the sport in dominating fashion. The 28-year-old Chute Boxe/Gracie Humaita representative has used a wide variety of skills to finish his opponents and has never let a fight reach the third round. The man known as Zangiefwho gets his nickname from the Street Fighter character who shares his powerful skill set and signature Mohawknow looks to make a huge splash on the international scene as he travels to Minnesota to vie for the vacant RFA middleweight title.

I'm so excited to have a chance to fight for the RFA. Then when Ed Soares told me I would be fighting for the title, I've been training double, stated Checco. Jake Collier is a very good fighter. My coaches and I have been watching videos on his fights every day. He likes to strike and wrestle, but he is not as good in jiu-jitsu. This will be a big fight for the fans. We both look for the finish. It will be a war.

Collier (7-1), like Checco, is currently ranked in the Top 10 of most middleweight prospect rankings. Currently he sits at No. 3 in the MMASun.com middleweight prospect rankings. The 25-year-old Missourian will also be looking to make a huge statement in his national television debut. Collier is now 100 percent recovered from an injury that kept him out of action for a year and has been training alongside former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew Sanchez leading up to this bout. He sees his bout with Checco as his chance to reassert himself as one of the most talented knockout artists in the division against a man who has never tasted defeat.

I'm super stoked to be fighting for a title in such a great organization. I feel great and have been training hard, stated Collier. Checco is a big, strong guy, and he's well-rounded. I'm much of the same in that regard. I'm a big fan of MMA and know our styles will please the fans. He prefers to strike to get to the ground and I like to strike on the feet. We will put on a show for the fans on October 10.

The co-main event of RFA 19 will see the return of MMA pioneer Jeff "Big Frog" Curran (34-16-1). Curran is the only man in MMA to compete for all six MMA promotions that are now under the Zuffa umbrella: UFC, PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce, IFL and WFA. After his last bout, which he lost via split decision to Pedro Munhoz in the main event of RFA 9 for the RFA bantamweight title, Curran announced in the cage that he would be retiring from the competition side of the sport and would concentrate solely on training his fighters at Team Curran in Crystal Lake, Illinois. But Curran, who turns 37 next week, realized that he still has more to give in the cage and is eager to get back at it.

The hardest thing about having a career with an expiration date that is undetermined, is that the decision to stop can happen at the weirdest of times. I thought and felt it was my time to be done being a fighter. I have spent a year battling my desires to continue on my journey and came to the realization that I am not at all ready to be done fighting, stated Curran. I only wish to continue fighting at the top level. Showing I can be successful in the UFC requires beating tough, well-rounded prospects like Deaton. I am so glad to be back fighting for RFA. It feels like home. The staff is awesome and I love what they are doing for us fighters and coaches.

Deaton III (8-1) will be the man tasked with welcoming Curran back to the sport. Anishinaabe is currently riding a four-fight winning streak that has many regarding him as one of the hottest prospects that calls Minnesota home. In preparation for the biggest fight of his career, the 24-year-old Deaton III has moved to San Diego to train alongside the likes of former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who is getting ready for a big comeback fight in the UFC. Deaton III saw this as an excellent opportunity to train with some of the best fighters in the world, while avoiding the distractions back home where he will be a huge fan favorite on October 10.

I'm really excited to be fighting in such a high-profile fight for the RFA in my hometown, stated Deaton III. On paper, Jeff Curran is better than me, so I'm excited to show my friends, family, and fans what I can do. I am a proud Native American (Sault Ste. Marie/Saginaw Chippewa) fighter, so it's also an honor to be fighting on national television at Mystic Lake in front of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC).

Also on the main card of RFA 19 will be a high-octane bantamweight contest pitting RFA vet Junior Maranhão (9-3) against local favorite Marvin Blumer (10-4). In featherweight action, two-time RFA vet and proud Minnesotan Dan Moret (6-1) returns to face Roufusport standout Jordan "The Psycho Hammer" Griffin (6-3). In the women's strawweight division, RFA vet Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (3-1) returns to face Missouri native Rebecca Gullet (2-0).

Also confirmed for RFA 19 is a women's atomweight affair pitting Roufusport prospect Raquel Magdaleno (2-0) vs. Invicta FC vet Cassie Rodish (4-4), a lightweight bout between Minnesota natives Mike Zimmer (4-1-1) and Jacob Ouradnik (1-0), and a welterweight contest between RFA vet Zak Ottow (6-2) and local favorite Nate How (6-3).

RFA 19 will be the promotion's first event in Minnesota and the eleventh state that the RFA has visited. More fights on the RFA 19 fight card will be announced soon. Visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets to see RFA 19 Checco vs. Collier at 9 p.m. Friday, October 10, in the Mystic Showroom are available for $35, $50, $65, $80 & $100. Contact the Mystic Box Office at 952-445-9000 or visit mysticlake.com for more details.

Event: RFA 19 Checco vs. Collier

Date: Friday, October 10

Time: Doors at 6 pm, Undercard at 6:30 pm, Main Event at 9 pm

Place: Mystic Showroom^®

Tickets: $35, $50, $65, $80 & $100

About RFA

Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. RFA presents up to 10 fights annually around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 40 million homes nationally on AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest-growing sport in the world. (The Octagon^®, Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, UFC^®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights

AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia to broadcast more live fights than any other television network. "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and UFC Hall of Fame member Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class live fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.

ABOUT MYSTIC LAKE CASINO HOTEL

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, the premier gaming facility in the Midwest, continually creates new, fun and exciting entertainment experiences for its guests. Mystic Lake^® offers gaming, three lively bars, exceptional dining at seven restaurants, headline performers, unique special events and luxurious accommodations. Located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul in Prior Lake.