RUFF Taps Excel Sports Management as Exclusive Global Sales and Consulting Agency

SHANGHAI, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) continues to establish itself as a top power in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world, signing a deal with U.S.-based Excel Sports Management to handle all sponsorship sales and marketing.

Through an increased presence on television and comprehensive print and online campaigns, RUFF aims to reach well over 600 million Chinese consumers by summer 2012. By enlisting Excel Sports Management to lead its corporate consulting and rights representation, RUFF ensures it will be well positioned to form valuable partnerships during this rapid expansion.

"We are thrilled to work with such an elite agency," commented RUFF co-founder Saul Rajsky.  "Excel's industry experience and global reach make them ideal partners as we engage this vast new audience and introduce them to our exhilarating product."

Excel Sports Management, which represents some of the most respected and talented athletes in professional sports, including Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter and Blake Griffin, views RUFF as a future cornerstone of televised sports entertainment in China. RUFF's unparalleled access to the nation's untapped MMA market will stimulate growth surpassing the sport's impressive rise in the United States.

"Connecting brands to RUFF as it expands its visibility provides unprecedented opportunities in the Chinese market," said Excel partner Mark Steinberg. "We are excited to help companies capitalize on an ever growing sport in an expanding territory."

RUFF, which promotes MMA in association with the Wushu Administrative Center, the governing branch of Chinese combat sports, made international headlines earlier this year with the announcement of the 2013 Super Fight, a title night to crown the world's first MMA national champions. The next event on the slate is RUFF 4, which is scheduled for June 30 in the Chinese city of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia.

A collaboration with Los Angeles-based Mandt Bros. Productions, which heads all television production and creative development, the Super Fight will take place prior to the 2013 Chinese New Year. With title winners each earning RMB 1,000,000, a handful of MMA hopefuls will become instant millionaires.

In fall 2012, RUFF and Mandt Bros. also will launch a 10-episode reality series on RUFF's existing distribution network, which already reaches more than 500 million potential viewers and counting throughout China.

About Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF)

Headquartered in Shanghai, the Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) has the exclusive rights to produce and promote live MMA events as a sanctioned sport in China, by permission of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Wushu Administrative Center. After launching their first event in Shanghai in August 2011, RUFF promoted its next two fights in Chongqing, China's most-populous city. RUFF 4 is currently slated for summer 2012 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.  For more information, please visit www.ruffchina.com.

About Excel Sports Management

A full-service sports management and marketing agency, Excel Sports represents some of the top athletes in professional sports today. Setting the industry benchmark in providing its clients with unparalleled personal attention and service, the agency, which represents numerous NBA, MLB and PGA standouts, works to assist its athletes in reaching their maximum potential, professionally and personally. In addition to expert contract negotiation services, Excel develops each client's brand identity and maximizes their earning potential through strategic marketing, public relations and community outreach campaigns. Established in 2002, Excel is based in New York City and has an office in Los Angeles.

About Mandt Bros. Productions

Brothers Neil and Michael Mandt are partners in the four-time Emmy Award-winning production company Mandt Bros. Productions, headquartered in Los Angeles. Between them, they have earned four Emmy Awards, nine Emmy nominations, among numerous other accolades.  Their projects include the critically acclaimed feature film Last Stop for Paul, its TV adaptation "Next Stop for Charlie" (Showtime) and other television projects which have included "Destination Truth" (Syfy), "Jim Rome is Burning" (ESPN), "Ice Brigade" (Food Network), "Strangers in Danger" (Fuel TV) and "The Car Show" (Speed Network).

SOURCE Mandt Bros. Productions