(Macao, November 9, 2012) -World-renowned action film superstar and mixed martial artist Donnie Yen headlines a star-studded list of celebrities headed to Macao on Saturday, November 10 for UFC® MACAO: FRANKLIN vs. LE. Set to take place at the CotaiArena™at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macao, the event marks the first ever on Chinese soil for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.
Yen and fellow action hero and MMA enthusiast Daniel Wu will be there to cheer on the action-packed 10-bout fight card, topped by an epic middleweight fight pitting former UFC champion Rich Franklin against former Strikeforce® champion Cung Le.
Yen, who grew up in a martial arts family, has been in the movie industry for three decades, having established a status for himself as an international martial arts superstar. Yen is not only an actor, but a martial artist and action choreographer. His selling point is real fist fighting in front of the camera, so as to produce the most realistic film possible. Yen was the first person to introduce mixed martial arts in his action movies.
Le, born in Vietnam and now hailing from USA, has himself become a superstar in Asia - especially in China, due to his mastery of Sanshou and his skyrocketing film career. Le's acting credits include famous Hong Kong Kung Fu movies such as Bodyguards and Assassins also starring Donnie Yen, the just-released Hollywood thriller The Man With the Iron Fists also starring Daniel Wu, and the yet-to-be-released movie Grandmasters directed by Wong Kar-wai.
Noted Yen: "I am pleased to support my fellow MMA practitioners at the UFC Macao event. Athletes and practitioners are becoming savvy with difficult moves seen on televisions and in movies. I am delighted to have been a pioneer of this sport through my profession - movies such as Sha Po Lang (aka Killzone) and Flashpoint, and I will continuously and passionately support the growth of MMA internationally."
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Le will take on Rich "Ace" Franklin, a former high-school teacher, who has faced the best talent of the UFC over the course of his 13-year career, notching epic wins against former champs Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. The UFC Macao line-up also pits South Korean MMA pioneer "Stun Gun" Dong Hyun Kim against Brazil's Paulo Thiago, Japanese star Takanori Gomi against American veteran Mac Danzig, and the first ChineseUFCfighter, Zhang Tiequan.
The UFC has furthermore unveiled that Hong Kong-based celebrity model Jessica Cambensy (better known as Jessica C) will be making a special appearance at UFC Macao as the first-ever Octagon Girl® to represent China. The 24-year-old will be joined by Korea's first Octagon Girl, Kang Ye-bin, at the Saturday night fight. Other stars expected to attend includemodel Anna R, actor and singer Terence Yin, actor Ken Wong, and Bill Kong, co-producer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
"The high-quality experience and excitement of live UFC fights attracts superstars from the worlds of entertainment, sports, and society everywhere we go -- from London to Rio, Tokyo to Vegas," said UFC President Dana White. "Now that we are coming to China - birthplace of traditional martial arts -- for the first time, it's only fitting that the top Kung Fu action stars in the world today, like Donnie Yen and Daniel Wu, will be at the Octagon for our Macao event. We're delighted to host them and the other celebrities joining us for this groundbreaking occasion."
UFC Macao is also trending on Chinese social media platforms among some other Chinese celebrities. As Wu posted this on his weibo in support Le: "Can't wait to see you fight on Macao on Nov 10! Good fight!" Responded Cung Le: "Thanks guys for all your support. I am so excited to put on a show for you here in Macao. It's gonna be epic!"
Le also added his support for the UFC's China debut. "This is an equally big opportunity for the UFC as it is for Asia. China is the birthplace of martial arts and UFC is the premiere platform for MMA in the world. It's an honor to be a part of this event because it will give me a chance to show my talents to all the Chinese fans."
Tickets for UFC® MACAO: FRANKLIN VS LE are on sale to the general public priced at HKD3880 (Silver), 2280 (Bronze), 1280 (A Reserve), 980 (B Reserve), 880 (C Reserve), 680 (D Reserve) and 380 (E Reserve). Tickets can be booked online at www.CotaiTicketing.com, or by phone at +853 2882 8818 (Macao) / +852 6333 6660 (HK), and are also available at Tom Lee Outlets and through Hong Kong Ticketing (customer service fee applies) online at www.HKTicketing.comor by phone at +852 3128 8288.
For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com (English) or UFC.cn (Chinese). All bouts live and subject to change.
About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can't-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. In 2011, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group in the USA. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which now airs on FX.
In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in 150 countries and territories, to nearly one billion homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with over two million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, the best-selling UFC Undisputed® video game franchise distributed by THQ and a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.
Entertainment at Sands China Ltd. Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia's top entertainment destination.
The 15,000-seat CotaiArena™ is the only venue in Asia ranked in Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world's and the region's biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.
The 1800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black-tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a luxury theatre experience like no other in the region.
The 650-seat Sands Macao Hotel theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dancers to modern performances, and from singing troupes to contemporary bands, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.
With an unbeatable diversity, the entertainment offering of Sands China Ltd. is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.
For more information, please visit www.cotaiticketing.com.