Kenny Florian and Tito Ortiz Team Up for Special Operations Warriors Foundation

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Authentic Sports Management today announced that number one featherweight contender Kenny "Ken-Flo" Florian is teaming up with Tito Ortiz, former UFC light heavyweight champion and owner of the clothing company Punishment Athletics, to create a commemorative walk-in shirt for his UFC 136 title fight in Houston, Texas. As he enters the Octagon on Saturday, October 8, Florian will wear a custom-designed Punishment Athletics T-shirt to honor Special Operations personnel with $2.00 from the online sale of every shirt benefitting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The shirt bears the Special Operations motto "De Oppresso Liber" which means, "to free from oppression," and is available now at www.punishmentathletics.com.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110930/LA78036)

"This is the most important fight of my life, but every day is the most important fight of their life for special operations personnel," said Florian.  "I wanted my walk-in shirt to make a difference, and when Authentic Sports Management and I approached Tito Ortiz and Punishment Athletics, they were immediately on board with this effort. I want to thank all my fans for their incredible support leading up to my fight with Jose Aldo on October 8, and to join me in honoring the Special Operations Warrior Foundation that night."

"Kenny Florian is one of the most popular and respected fighters in the history of the sport, and I consider it a huge honor to create the walk-in shirt for his title fight and also have it benefit a great cause," said Ortiz.  "I wish Kenny the best of luck on October 8 and hope all my fans will join in supporting both Team Ken-Flo and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation."

"When others are looking to make as much as they can, Kenny Florian is looking to honor and to give back to those who are deserving – he is a class act in and out of the Octagon," said Glenn Robinson, President, Authentic Sports Management.  "It's an honor to represent Kenny, he's a tremendous athlete and a great example of a great human being."

"We are excited that an athlete like Kenny Florian believes in our noble cause to provide college educations to the children of fallen special operations warriors," said Special Operations Warrior Foundation President John T. Carney, Jr.  "Kenny not only demonstrates his warrior spirit in the cage, but also through his willingness to stand up and raise awareness for the families of fallen military heroes.  We are all rooting for Kenny to walk out with the UFC featherweight belt – good luck on October 8 Ken-Flo!"

Florian is an ongoing supporter of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. On August 28, 2010, Tequila CAZADORES awarded Florian as the recipient of its "Spirits Award" for his honorable conduct in and out of the Octagon. As the winner, Tequila CAZADORES presented Florian with a plaque and a check for a $1,000 donation made in his name to The Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The Punishment Athletics commemorative UFC 136 Kenny Florian walk-in shirt is available now at www.punishmentathletics.com for a retail price of $25.00.  

About the Special Operations Warrior Foundation – Specialops.org

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation was founded in 1980 to provide support and assistance to personnel serving in the U.S. Special Operations Command.  The Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.

About Punishment Athletics - www.punishmentathletics.com @punishmentathletics

Founded in 1999, Punishment Athletics is the official clothing line of former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz.  Ortiz created the line in the image and tradition of the "punishment" delivered to his opponents in the UFC Octagon. Punishment Athletics is a global clothing company that regularly sponsors professional athletes in some of their most historic competitions including Dan Hardy, Roy Nelson, Leonard Garcia, Miesha Tate, Stephan Struve and Kenny Florian.  For more information, please visit www.punishmentathletics.com or www.punishmenttrainingcenter.com and follow on Twitter @punishmentathletics.

About Authentic Sports Management - www.AuthenticSportsMgmt.com @AuthSportsMgmt

Founded in 2010 and based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Authentic Sports Management® (ASM) is a premier sports management and marketing company with a mandate to help clients grow and succeed while building foundations, a personal brand and establishing a life-long positive legacy. Led by Glenn Robinson, President, Neal Tabachnick, General Counsel and Jon Rubinstein, Senior Partner, ASM primarily represents and supports top athletes in mixed martial arts, the fastest growing sport in the world.

*Click Here for Information on Ken-Flo’s UFC 136 Official Walk-in Shirt *

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SOURCE Authentic Sports Management