On Saturday, November 8, the Ironheart Crown will return to the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. The show is the oldest mixed martial arts event in the city and it has long been known for featuring world-class talent. As an affiliate promotion for the American Fight League, the upcoming show will be featuring some of the parent organization’s top contracted fighters.

Widely regarded as the number one female MMA fighter in the world, Tara LaRosa (15-1), will face Roxanne Modafferi (12-4), also ranked in the world top ten. In 2007, Modafferi was victorious in Japan’s K-GRACE women’s openweight tournament. Both women carry deeper resumes than the more popular Gina Carano who has recently garnered attention as a female fighter through her network television exposure.

In the men’s division, MMA Weekly’s number 8 ranked featherweight in the world, Raphael Assuncao (11-1) will face Joe Pearson (30-11-1) who has won all of his victories by either knockout or submission. Pearson also carries the record for having more documented wins by triangle choke than any other fighter in the world.

And heading up the local talent, Chicago’s own Gideon Ray (15-10-1) will face Juan Magana (6-0) of Hammond, Indiana. Ray gained fame as a participant in the “Ultimate Fighter” reality TV show, earning him several subsequent bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the International Fight League. Despite several recent losses, he retains his reputation as one of Chicago’s most dynamic fighters.

Though much less experienced, his opponent Juan Magana remains undefeated with all but one of his victories by knockout or submission. Magana is young and seems to be following in the footsteps of his coach, WEC World Bantamweight Champion, Miguel Torres.

The full Nov. 8 Ironheart Crown fight card includes:
Juan Magana vs. Gideon Ray
Raphael Assuncao vs. Joe Pearson
Tara LaRosa vs. Roxanne Modafferi
Tommy Lee vs. Charles Wilson
Matt Fiordirosa vs. Rob Menigoz
Achour Esho vs. Josh Lee
Brad Fonck vs. Nick Janowitz
Louis Taylor vs. Adriel Villa
Antonio Canas vs. Mustafa Hussaini
Chris Albandia vs. Jeff Serafin
Ricardo Lamas vs. Christopher Martins
Derek Langone vs. Tony Marti
Joey Benoit vs. Keith Smetana
Tickets for the event are now on sale at www.ironheart.com.

Ironheart Crown was established in 1999 by Dr. Eric Moon, a former competitor himself. The show moved out of the city in 2000 but now returns following new legislation passed to legalize and sanction mixed martial arts in the State of Illinois. The upcoming show will be held on Saturday, November 8 at the UIC Pavilion. Detailed information is available on the event’s website at www.ironheart.com and tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.