UFC Teams Up With Grappler's Quest for UFC 100 Weekend

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Tuesday announced that it will host its first ever grappling tournament in conjunction with the prestigious Grapplers Quest organization on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as part of the UFC Fan Expo.

Among the current UFC standouts who have competed in Grapplers Quest over the years are Matt Hughes, Kenny Florian, Denis Kang, Mark Bocek, Eliot Marshall, Brandon Vera, Kurt Pellegrino, Mike Massenzio, and Matthew Riddle, and it is expected that this competition at the UFC Fan Expo will be the largest submission, grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in history.

The tournament will award thousands of dollars in prizes across a variety of divisions and weight brackets, giving men, women and children from all skill levels the chance to compete in front of thousands of spectators during the historic UFC 100 weekend.

In addition to the UFC and Grapplers Quest competition, UFC Fan Expo's two-day roster of activities will also include meet and greets with legendary UFC, PRIDE and WEC fighters, MMA demonstrations, fan-inspired special events, training and development sessions, and other exciting opportunities and entertainment. All UFC Fan Expo activities will be planned in conjunction with UFC 100, including the free-to-the-public weigh-in event on Friday, July 10.

To pre-register, go to: http://www.grapplers.com/store/midscreen.cfm. Due to time restrictions, the tournament is limited to 1,500 competitors, so it is suggested that you register early to save money and guarantee your spot in grappling history.

Grapplers Quest Grappling Against Autism; Joe Daddy in Hall of Fame

Jonathan Cimins, nephew of Grapplers Quest founder, Brian Cimins, was diagnosed with Autism at only 18 months of age. For the last five years, the Cimins family has supported Autism Awareness and created, "Jonathan's Team," to help raise funds for education, treatments, and, hopefully, a cure at each Grapplers Quest Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament nationwide.

Grapplers Quest -- "The World's Largest Grappling Competition" -- is celebrating its 10th anniversary by bringing the 15th West Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships to The Sports Center (121 East Sunset Road) in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 9 (10:30 AM-6:30 PM).

One dollar from each spectator ticket or competitor fee purchased will be donated to help support the founder's nephew, Jonathan's alternative Autism Biomedical Treatment, by Dr. Neubrander, of Princeton, New Jersey. Click here for tickets to Grapplers Quest.

Submission Grappling is the ground fighting art of Mixed Martial Arts, combining the throws of Olympic Judo, takedowns of Greco-Roman and/or Freestyle Wrestling, leg locks from Russian Sambo, and various other submissions loke arm-bars and chokes from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Grapplers Quest organizes the official National, Regional, North American and World competitions for Submission Grappling, the submission style ground-fighting sport.

"Grapplers Quest will crown the Best Submission Grapplers and Jiu Jitsu fighters in the West in all age groups and skill levels in the largest grappling tournament in the history of the sport on May 9," Brian Cimins explained. "It is an event not to be missed. Grapplers Quest draws some of the best fighters and grapplers in the world, plus you'll meet tons of MMA Superstars in attendance. MMA and wrestling fans will love the sport of Submission Grappling, as well as support Autism Awareness by attending this event. See you mat-side, May 9th."

Grapplers Quest will host the 2009 Grappling World Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Ultimate Fighter, Season 2 Champion and Las Vegas favorite, Joe "Daddy" Stevenson, who will be there coaching his team, meeting fans, and accepting the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.