California State Athletic Commission Distinguishes CAMO As Official Regulatory & Oversight Agency for California Amateur MMA Competition

LOS ANGELES, November 17, 2009 – As part of an ongoing effort to improve the safety, competitive and athletic integrity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has officially delegated authority to California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization, Inc. (CAMO) as the official regulatory and oversight group for all California amateur MMA and Pankration competition. While MMA has enjoyed a rapid ascension to the ranks of elite national and global sports attractions, it’s evolution has come largely through the professional ranks, leaving the critical amateur level significantly underserved. It’s for this reason that CSAC has taken this action. Regulatory and oversight responsibilities will be a primary role for CAMO, however, it will also play the critical role as a service organization, providing a critical business hub for licensed fighters, promoters, inspectors, referees and judges, making the business of amateur MMA and Pankration competition significantly more efficient. “Every sport features a direct relationship between the professional and amateur levels, with one feeding the other and influencing the ongoing evolution and growth of the sport overall, yet this critical relationship has been largely absent in MMA,” said Jeremy Lappen, Chairman & CEO for CAMO. “We’re eager to begin our work to improve the integrity and quality of amateur MMA competition in California, and we are extremely grateful to everyone at CSAC and the Attorney General’s office whose support and diligence was instrumental to making CAMO a reality.” “The CAMO executive team had a very well thought out plan to oversee the amateur program, and they possess such a wealth of experience and expertise in MMA. These impeccable credentials, and those of its advisory board, made this a very easy decision for us,” said Mario Rodriguez, Chairman of the California State Athletic Commission. “MMA has come so far and yet still has such significant growth potential, making CAMO a critical player in ensuring its continued growth is grounded in a set of standards to maintain the utmost safety and competitive integrity at the amateur level here in California.” Through its website (www.camo-mma.org), CAMO provides licensing services for promoters, inspectors, fighters, trainers, referees and judges intent on competing in and working at amateur MMA or Pankration events in California. CAMO requires that promoters carry insurance for both events and fighters. The organization requires medical testing for all fighters and has approved a formal training program for all licensed MMA referees and judges. The CAMO site maintains records for every licensed MMA fighter in California, while also offering profiles for the fighters, allowing promoters an efficient means of sourcing talent for events. In total, CAMO offers a more comprehensive level of service than most other organizations currently serving in a similar capacity in other states and hopes to serve as the model going forward for all governing and oversight agencies for amateur MMA across the country. CAMO was organized by Lappen and JT Steele. Lappen is a proven veteran in the MMA industry for over a decade, having previously provided management services to elite MMA fighters, including Randy Couture and Quinton Jackson. Most recently, Lappen worked on some of MMA’s most prominent nationally televised productions, including the most watched MMA event in US television history, while working for MMA promoter ProElite and its landmark nationally televised events in partnership with CBS. JT Steele, who serves as President of CAMO, was previously responsible for, amongst other things, all regulatory affairs at ProElite, dealing on a day to day basis with many state run commissions and the licensing and medical oversight of hundreds of EliteXC athletes. Further distinguishing CAMO will be its advisory board – a “who’s who” lineup of experts – which will provide ongoing strategic insight and expertise related to every aspect of MMA. CAMO advisory board members include: • Bas Rutten – A former UFC Heavyweight Champion and three time King of Pancrase, Rutten continues to be a prominent figure in MMA as both an elite training specialist and the host of HDNet’s “Inside MMA” • John McCarthy – One of MMA’s most recognizable faces, McCarthy, known to many as “Big John” has handled referee duties for more MMA championship bouts than any other referee in the sport’s history. McCarthy will oversee CAMO’s approved official training program for referees and judges. • Dan Henderson – The only Mixed Martial Artist to concurrently hold championship belts in two weight classes, Henderson has earned more MMA tournament victories than anyone in the sport’s history. A former US Olympic wrestler, Henderson also owns Clinch Gear – an MMA apparel brand and is a founding member of Team Quest, one of MMA’s most prominent fight teams. • Eric Paulson – Paulson, an expert in more than 9 combat disciplines, was the first American to win Japan’s famed Shooto title – a title he held for five years. Paulson currently is considered the sport’s leading expert in submission techniques and training, handling training duties for some of MMA’s elite names, including Brock Lesnar, Josh Barnett and Renato “Babalu” Sobral. • Josh Schwartz – A Harvard Law graduate, Schwartz brings expertise and relationships across the entertainment, sports and advertising industries. Schwartz formerly held the position of COO for Los Angeles-based sports marketing firm, Wasserman Media Group. • Steve Rusich – Considered to be one of MMA’s leading fight brokers, Rusich manages an extensive list of MMA professionals. In addition to his work in MMA, Rusich owns Valley Auto Center and Valley Kia in Fontana, Calif. • Marc Altieri – A 15-year sports marketing and PR specialist, Altieri’s experience includes extensive MMA work, handling PR duties for major promotions including EliteXC’s nationally televised CBS broadcasts. Through his company Leader, Inc., Altieri handles marketing and PR for a variety of leading national brands and professional athletes.