Fans Choose Kurt Pellegrino for the Tequila CAZADORES® Spirit Award for UFC 116

CORAL GABLES, Fla., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Tequila CAZADORES®, the number-one premium tequila in the world (1) and Official Spirits Sponsor of Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®), has awarded Kurt Pellegrino the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award.  Kurt's win reflects the core values of the brand and its sponsorship with UFC by demonstrating authenticity and perfection in the expression of their art form, dedication to their community, and honor in their conduct.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100701/NY29948 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100701/NY29948 )

To celebrate the program's successful evolution and kick-off its second year, Tequila CAZADORES let UFC fans (21+) decide the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award winner for UFC 116.  Consumers had the opportunity to vote online at UFC.com for the fighter they thought was the most deserving of the honor.   To heighten the enthusiasm, the winner will be announced LIVE on July 3, 2010 at UFC 116 in Las Vegas, NV as well as on Pay-Per-View® during the fighter's walk-out to the Octagon™. Out of the three competing fighters for the award, Kurt received the largest number of votes and is humbled and appreciative of his fans loyalties.  He will accept the twelfth Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award.

Kurt Pellegrino is a proud supporter of the National Center of Learning Disabilities (NCLD), the nation's premiere learning disabilities organization. This organization is dedicated to funding research that will better understand specific neurological disorders that affect the brain's ability to store, process or communicate information.  With Kurt's belief that it is never too late, he lends his support to a cause that inspires one to persevere no matter the odds.  As the winner of the Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award, Tequila CAZADORES will present Kurt with a plaque and a check for a $1,000 donation made to NCLD.

"The Tequila CAZADORES Spirit Award continues to build momentum with the MMA community furthered by fan participation," said Fannie Young, vice president and brand managing director, Tequila CAZADORES.  "We are excited to be the sponsor of the award and UFC which recognizes philanthropy, honor and the devotion to one's personal art form.  Kurt's win is a testament to hard work, dedication and the desire to make a difference which is why he chose The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc."

Tequila CAZADORES is the Official Spirit Sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®). UFC is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization (MMA) that offers a premier series of MMA sporting events.  The Authentic Spirit Award is an honor that is presented to the UFC fighter who best exemplifies social responsibility, commitment to the MMA art form, or good sportsmanship. Each month the winning fighter is presented with a plaque and a $1,000 check from Tequila CAZADORES to the fighter's charity of choice.  These monthly awards will culminate with a larger award presented to the fighter who best exemplifies all of the qualities over the course of the year.  A $10,000 check from Tequila CAZADORES will be presented to this winner with the full proceeds benefiting the fighter's charity of choice.  

About Tequila CAZADORES®

Tequila CAZADORES is the maker of the number-one premium tequila in the world (2) and the number-one Reposado Tequila in California (3).  It is renowned as one of the most popular premium tequilas in Mexico. Tequila CAZADORES is made with 100 percent blue agave grown, harvested and distilled in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, recognized as the premier agave growing region in the world, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful taste. For additional information about Tequila CAZADORES please visit www.cazadores.com.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio  of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the  United  States  including  BACARDI® rum, the  world's  favorite and best-selling  premium  rum,  as  well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE®  vodka, the  world-leader  in super premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch  Whisky,  the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States;  BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®  gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI®  vermouth, the  world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

Ultimate Fighting Championship® - www.ufc.com

Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world.  UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.'s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.'s Versus network.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 130 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.  Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC "Undisputed" videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa®, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com, UK.UFC.com, GERMANY.UFC.com, UFCJapan.jp or UFCEspanol.com.

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©2010 CAZADORES IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND THE DEER DEVICE IS A TRADEMARK. IMPORTED BY TEQUILA CAZADORES U.S.A., SEAL BEACH, CA. TEQUILAS - EACH 40% ALC. BY VOL.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

(1) 2007 International Wine & Spirit Record (IWSR)

(2) 2007 International Wine & Spirit Record (IWSR)

(3) 2009 The Nielsen Company

SOURCE Tequila CAZADORES(R)