Goldberg Signs With World Fighting Alliance For July 22 Event
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LOS ANGELES, CA, June 14, 2006 – The World Fighting Alliance (WFA) – the recently launched mixed martial arts (MMA) organization featuring a “who’s who” lineup of MMA superstars – announced today its signing of pro wrestling superstar and television and film personality Bill Goldberg as its color commentator for the upcoming “WFA: King of the Streets” live pay-per-view broadcast from the Forum in Los Angeles on July 22nd.
Goldberg’s connections to the MMA world run deep. The former WCW World Heavyweight Champion has been a martial arts enthusiast throughout his career in wrestling and television, and has trained for most of his adult life in the art of Muay Thai kickboxing. Goldberg also owns and operates Extreme Power, a Muay Thai training facility for children and adults, as well as competitive fighters in Oceanside, CA. Currently, Goldberg is set to star in a remake of the 1980s martial arts film, “Half Past Dead,” which originally featured martial arts expert-turned film star Steven Seagal. Shooting is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in July.
“I’ve been passionate about martial arts my entire life through my own Muy Thai training, my Extreme Power martial arts training facility and now through the myriad of relationships I have with the top fighters in the sport of MMA,” said Goldberg. “When the WFA approached me with this opportunity and I saw the lineup of elite MMA stars fighting for the WFA, I knew this was an opportunity to get more involved in the rapid evolution of this sport. The decision was a no-brainer and I’m thrilled about my affiliation with the WFA.”
The WFA also announced a distribution agreement with national satellite television provider Dish Network for “WFA: King of the Streets.” to compliment its existing deal with iN Demand. The event, broadcast live on July 22nd, will be available to Dish Network customers nationwide through a live pay-per-view broadcast, available on Dish Network for $34.95. In addition to the Dish Network, “WFA: King of the Streets” will be available live on pay-per-view for cable customers nationwide via iNDemand (check local cable listings for details).
The broadcast will feature a three-man broadcasting team, led by veteran boxing play-by-play commentator Barry Tompkins with Goldberg handling color commentary duties. The WFA is reportedly speaking with several well-known former MMA stars to round out the broadcast team, handling post-fight interviews and analysis in the ring. Details on this final member of the King of the Streets broadcast team will be announced in the weeks to come.
“Goldberg is a legend to millions of Americans and his hard-nosed, raw and aggressive persona is the perfect compliment to what the WFA is all about,” said Jeremy Lappen, CEO of the WFA. “He shares our passion for the sport and we feel his signing simply underscores the credibility of our organization and our commitment to providing a superior entertainment experience. Needless to say, we’re thrilled to have him on board as an ambassador for the WFA.”
Goldberg became a professional wrestler after a standout college football career at the University of Georgia and professional football stints in the World League and a three-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. Goldberg’s success in wrestling was almost instantaneous capturing the WCW U.S. title and the WCW World title (in a historic battle with Hollywood Hulk Hogan) in less than two years. He is inarguably one of the most beloved and revered personalities in the history of professional wrestling. Goldberg has transitioned into television and film work with roles in feature films including The Longest Yard and Universal Soldier. He currently hosts the History Channel program, AutoManiac, where viewers get the chance to experience first hand, the most exotic and unusual vehicles in the world.
