Scottsdale, AZ. – June 10, 2008 – The next generation of MMA champions have been chosen. MMA Legend Ken Shamrock recently held open tryouts for the highly anticipated Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team. The tryouts, open to all experienced professional fighters, took place at Shamrock’s newest MMA training facility located in Scottsdale Arizona.

In response to the Lion’s Den reputation as one of the most feared and respected MMA fighting team organizations in the world, over sixty Elite Team hopefuls traveled from across the United States to compete for a coveted spot on Shamrock’s team. Only six competitors met the appropriate qualifying standards necessary to become a member of the Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team.

“Only fighters that excelled in every level of the grueling five hour competition made the cut. The competition was tough, our standards are extremely high. Athletes were first required to display their mixed martial arts skills during a series of drills. If they scored high enough to avoid elimination, they moved on to the next round and eventually competed in multiple live MMA elimination matches”, stated Ken Shamrock, MMA Legend and founder of the Lion’s Den.

Scott Peters, Lion’s Den Scottsdale Partner and offensive center for the Arizona Cardinals, went on to say, “During the tryouts the skills of each fighter were carefully evaluated by Ken and our Lion’s Den Scottsdale coaches, all champions and proven experts in their discipline. The six competitors that were able to meet the high standards set by Shamrock will not only train with the best, they will have the opportunity to put their skills to the test in premier MMA events as a Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team fighter.”

New Elite Team members; Bleu Edwards, Zac Mathews, Jeff Newbrough, Dan Sandman, Jeff Watson and John Lansing will join Edwin “Bam Bam” Dewees, Joe “Diesel” Riggs, and Rick “The Jet” Roufus to represent Lion’s Den Scottsdale as Shamrock’s newest Elite Fight Team. These highly skilled fighters will have the best training, representation and sponsorship opportunities available in the MMA industry.

Tryouts for the Lion’s Den Elite team will be held at Lion’s Den Scottsdale semi-annually. For those interested in taking their MMA career to the next level, please contact Shamrock’s Elite Team recruiter, Lance Foreman, at l.foreman@kenshamrock.com.

Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den Scottsdale
Scottsdale based Lion’s Den Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Training Center located at 2954 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale is the only training facility of its kind in Arizona. This state-of-the-art facility has over 8,000 square feet of training area, including 3,000 square feet of grappling and striking mat space, a full weight and cardio room, professional size boxing ring and a competition octagon for mixed martial arts. Lions Den Scottsdale employs a world renowned team of instructors, hand selected by the legendary Ken Shamrock to ensure that every member exceeds their personal goals in each selected discipline. Programs are offered in Muay Thai/Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Grappling, Mixed Martial Arts and Sports Conditioning. Lions Den also offers the best in child martial arts programs. Classes are set up to accommodate all ages and skill levels, from entry level students to world class athletes. Private lessons are available. At Lion’s Den Scottsdale you don’t have to be a world champion to train like one. For more information call 480-941-LION or visit http://www.lionsdenaz.com/.

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New Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team Members (from left to right): Bleu Edwards,

Zac Mathews, Dan Sandman, Jeff Watson, Jeff Newbrough and John Lansing.

Edwin “Bam Bam” Dewees: A Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team fighter and one of the lead

Instructors of Jiu Jitsu and MMA at the Lion’s Den Scottsdale. Dewees is a UFC Veteran and currently

holds the No Limit Fighting Heavyweight title. Edwin was also a contender on Spike TV’s Ultimate Fighter 4.

Rick “The Jet” Roufus – A Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team fighter and head kick-boxing and boxing

instructor for Lion’s Den Scottsdale. Roufus is a six time full contact kick-boxing world champion. He is

the most decorated full contact kick-boxer in the history of the sport and holds an incredible record of 57

wins and 7 losses, with 40 wins by knockout.

Joe “Diesel” Riggs: A Lion’s Den Scottsdale Elite Team fighter and mixed martial arts champion. Joe is a four-time Desert Quest champion, two-time Grappler’s Quest Advance champion, Rage in the Cage Heavyweight and Middleweight champion, Art of War Heavyweight champion, Evolution Combat Heavyweight champion, and XCF Light Heavyweight champion.