NEW YORK, NY (September 6, 2010) - Shine Fights CEO Devin Price has decided to move the MMA promotional firm's Sept 10 Grand Prix Tournament to First Council Casino in Newkirk, OK in the wake of questionable treatment by the Virginia state athletic commission. 

"I was given verbal approval for our Sept 10 event by the Virginia state commission 32 days prior to the fight date." said Price.  "The commission did not express any problems with our event until certain members of the MMA community accused Shine of having reneged on our responsibilities following the cancellation of our May 15, 2010 "Worlds Collide:  Ricardo Mayorga-Din Thomas" fight card in Fayetteville, NC.  The Virginia commission was understandably concerned, but instead of allowing us to prove the concerns were unfounded, they refused to provide a license.  And we could have proved this since on Friday [Sept. 3] the North Carolina commission ruled that Shine HAD met all its obligations from the May 15, 2010 event. 

"It is unfortunate things had to end this way; however, I know we will still have a great show on Sept 10 and we are happy to be working with the First Council Casino." 

Shine Fights COO Jason Chambers stated, “You can’t always choose the hand you are dealt, but you always have the ability to choose how you let that hand play out. We were dealt a hand in Virginia but instead of folding we pulled together and moved forward.  My guys are Ace’s and I am exceedingly happy to have such a great team who are as passionate about making this event happen as I am.” 

“We are very excited to be the site for the September 10 Grand Prix Tournament”, stated Marketing Director of the First Council Casino, Liz Childf. “We are looking forward to having Shine Fights Promotions at the First Council Casino in Oklahoma and feel wonderful that this excellent MMA event will be taking place here.”  

The Grand Prix Tournament will be beamed on PPV on cable and satellite in the United States and Canada. The event will be in High Definition and it will be available in both English and Spanish (where available).  The Grand Prix Tournament will be distributed live on Pay Per View beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST by Multi Vision Media, Inc.  The suggested retail price is $29.95. 

Ticket Information: Tickets for the Mixed Martial Arts Tournament at the First Council Casino on Friday, September 10 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets which are on sale now are priced at $250, $175, $95, $65, and $35. Tickets will be available through Ticketstorm.com and the First Council Casino box office by calling 866-966-1777.

9-06-2010