Adrenaline MMA
Company typePrivate
IndustryMixed Martial Arts promotion
Founded2007
FounderMonte Cox
Defunct2009

Adrenaline MMA was a mixed martial arts organization that operated primarily in North America. It was formerly part of M-1 Global but became independent in October 2007 with Monte Cox as its head.

History

Foundation

In October 2007, Sibling Entertainment Group, a producer of theater and other entertainment,[1] announced that its newly created subsidiary, Sibling Sports LLC, was purchasing M-1 Mixfight, a Russian-based mixed martial arts promotion owned by Vadim Finkelstein. The new venture was named M-1 Global. Along with the purchase, Fedor Emelianenko, the last PRIDE Heavyweight Champion and a free agent managed by Finkelstein, was to sign with the new organization. Monte Cox, an established promoter and manager who has managed fighters like UFC champions Tim Sylvia, Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin and promoted around 500 cards, was appointed its first president.[2] Finkelstein, however, continued his M-1 operations in Russia, running the M-1 Mixfight website independently of Sibling and Cox and promoting his own events under the M-1 banner.[3]

Although the organization had yet to hold its first card, its first co-promotion effort was Yarennoka! held in Saitama, Japan on New Year's Eve, 2007. Yarennoka! was held by former executives of PRIDE Fighting Championships, with M-1 Global billed as a co-promoter. Fedor Emelianenko appeared on the card, defeating Hong-Man Choi via armbar in the first round.

On April 19, 2008, Monte Cox confirmed that Finkelstein had split from M-1 Global. Cox also revealed that Emelianenko never actually did consummate an agreement with M-1 Global, and that Emelianenko would become a free agent again. Finkelstein would resume his operations with M-1 Mixfight, while the Sibling subsidiary headed by Cox would be known as Adrenaline, not to be confused with "ADRYNYLYN" which is an up-and-coming MMA promotional platform based out of Chicago Illinois.[3]

The official first event took place on June 14, 2008, and was headlined by Mike Russow and Jason Guida.[4]

Adrenaline's website is gone and has not been replaced.

Events

Date Event Location Venue Attendance
12/31/2007 Yarennoka! Japan Saitama, Japan Saitama Super Arena
06/14/2008 Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow[4] United States Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Sears Centre
12/11/2008 Adrenaline MMA 2: Miletich vs. Denny[5] United States Moline, Illinois, United States I Wireless Center
06/13/2009 Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights[6] United States Birmingham, Alabama, United States BJCC Arena
09/18/2009 Adrenaline MMA 4: Sylvia vs. Riley[7] United States Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Mid-America Center

References

  1. ^ 411mania.com: MMA - MMA Analytics 10.29.07: Analysis of M-1 Global Archived August 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Brawl Sports: Adrenaline's Cox: 'Would trade Fedor for Rothwell and Sylvia every day'
  3. ^ a b Caplan, Sam (2008-02-29). "Five Ounces of Pain: Q&A with M-1 Global CEO Monte Cox". CBS Sportsline. Archived from the original on 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  4. ^ a b Fight Results - Jason Guida vs Mike Russow - June 14, 2008 | Adrenaline MMA
  5. ^ "Sherdog Event Source".
  6. ^ "Sherdog Event Source".
  7. ^ "Sherdog Event Source".

External links

Professional mixed martial arts organizations
Categories