Tequila CAZADORES(R) Presents the First Authentic Spirit Award of 2010 to Brian Stann at UFC 109

MIAMI, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past ten months Tequila CAZADORES®, the number-one premium tequila in the world(1) and Official Spirits Sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® ("UFC®"), has recognized one UFC fighter each month with the Tequila CAZADORES Authentic Spirit Award.  This fighter embodies the core values of the brand demonstrating the following qualities: social responsibility, commitment to the MMA art form, or good sportsmanship. The tenth recipient of the Tequila CAZADORES Authentic Spirit Award epitomizes the award from his generous spirit and winning outlook to his military heroics. Light-Heavyweight fighter, Brian Stann will accept this award at UFC 109 in Las Vegas, NV.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100205/NY50590 )

Stann began training in 2004 and embarked on his fighting career in 2007, while still serving on active duty in the Marines. Currently a mixed martial artist, Stann – a former World Extreme Cagefighting Light Heavyweight champion, was also an All-American football player for the United States Naval Academy. In March of 2006, Stann was awarded a Silver Star medal for his actions and bravery during combat in Iraq.  He is hoping to break into the top 10 fighters in 2010.  

Stann is a proud supporter and spokesperson for Hire Heroes, a program that links wounded veterans returning from conflicts around the world and those who have served in the military with career opportunities. The organization assists veterans' transition back to civilian life by matching their interests and skills with the needs of hiring companies. As winner of the Authentic Spirit Award, Tequila CAZADORES will present Stann with an Authentic Spirit Award plaque and a $1,000 donation made in his name to his charity of choice. UFC President Dana White and Brian Stann, executive director of Hire Heroes, have also selected a recently wounded veteran to send to UFC 109 as their VIP guest.

"Brian Stann has demonstrated that being focused, dedicated and optimistic can incite determination and confidence in others," said Fannie Young, vice president and brand managing director, Tequila CAZADORES. "The program embodies our brand's ideology and validates our commitment to the community, program and sponsorship."

The Authentic Spirit Award is an honor that is presented to the UFC fighter who best exemplifies one of the following qualities: 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 exemplified all of these qualities throughout the year. A $10,000 check from Tequila CAZADORES will be presented to this winner with the full proceeds benefiting the fighter's charity.

Tequila CAZADORES is the Official Spirit Sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® ("UFC®") through March 2010. UFC is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization ("MMA") that offers a premier series of MMA sporting events.  The sponsorship will introduce the authentic experience and taste of Tequila CAZADORES to UFC adult fans (21+) around the world.

Handcrafted in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, the premier agave growing region, Tequila CAZADORES is an authentic 100% agave tequila deeply rooted in heritage.  This makes it the best way to salute the authentic spirit of the UFC contenders.

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, sales and marketing 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.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Bell ExpressVU, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Viewers Choice, and WOWOW in Japan, and Premiere Combate and SporTV in Brazil, and via the Internet worldwide on Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit ufc.com or uk.ufc.com 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)