Ultimate Women’s Challenge Press Release

16 female fighters will get to compete in an upcoming reality show set to showcase women's MMA in the same way Spike TV and the UFC promoted MMA with their successful reality show The Ultimate Fighter..

Across the US in an undisclosed location in Florida the Ultimate Women's Challenge will began taping its show in September.

Produced by Lyle Howry productions the show will run in syndication across numerous NBC affiliates, reaching 60 million homes in the US. The show is scheduled to begin airing in January 2010 as two half hour shows during your local NBC station's afternoon programming.

The fighters will compete in the 125 pound flyweight and 135 pound bantamweight divisions. The cast as it stands is an interesting mix of established MMA vets and relatively unknown prospects.

Since the original press release various fighters have dropped out of the show. According to Steve Sievert of www.mmajunkie.com the show's current roster includes; Lisa Higo, Alexis Davis, Patricia Hall, Angela Magana, Felice Herrig, Angela Hayes, Melissa Steele, Heather Clark, Christy Tada, Lacy Shuckman, Jessica Aguilar, Martha Benavides, Julie Kedzie, Casey Noland and Michelle Vera.

Below is the latest press release.

Los Angeles: Lyle Howry Productions in partnership with Momentum Entertainment & Sports Network is proud to announce the syndication of Ultimate Women's Challenge (working title). Executive Producers are Lyle Howry, Dallas Tanner, and Jeff Rice. This reality based television show will be syndicated by Momentum Entertainment & Sports Network. The show will be broadcast over NBC stations and affiliates throughout the United States. Other network affiliated stations and station groups will also be included in the airing of the show. With an anticipated premiere in late 2009 or early 2010, the show is expected to reach over 60 Million households in top markets throughout the U.S.

Ultimate Women's Challenge is a television show that focuses on 16 female Mixed Martial Arts fighters as they attempt to make a name for themselves in the rough and tumble world of professional cage fighting. Many of these combatants have been connected to male fighters and trainers their entire careers. It's now time for them to step out of the shadows and into the fire! Throughout the show the audience will get to know these warriors not only as fighters but as women who have lives, responsibilities and experiences that extend beyond the cage. Ultimate Women's Challenge will delve deep into the lives of these women pulling from them the most intriguing details of what makes a female fighter. The weekly challenges will have the girls working closely with nationally recognized organizations to make the public aware of issues that have impacted our communities and the women themselves. Make no mistake, this is a fight show and there will be fights! At the end of the season the winners of the tournament will receive a major contract from a partnered fighting promotion. Ultimate Women's Challenge is not a fighting promotion and the creators do not intend to promote fights under the Ultimate Women's Challenge banner.

Bas Rutten and Maxim 100 model, Joanna Krupa will play hosts to the show. Also featured as coaches are #1 ranked fighter, Tara LaRosa, U.K. fighting sensation Rosi Sexton, Strike Force contender Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and Jiu-jitsu legend Cesar Gracie. The 16 female fighters include Felice Herrig, Angela Magana, Angela Hayes, Melissa Steele, Roxy Richardson, Lauren Sugahara, Kerry Vera, Michelle Vera, Moroeles Coenen, Casey Noland, Molly Helsel, Vanessa Mariscal, Jessica Aguilar, Martha Benavides, and Kate McGray (fight roster subject to change).

Lyle Howry of Lyle Howry Productions would like to thank the following sponsors for their continual support throughout Ultimate Women's Combat tryout's and preliminary events: Self Defined Clothing, Tussle Fight Gear, Super Body Care, U.K. Cage Warriors, HGH Infusion, Bas Rutten's Elite MMA and Dojo Fight Gear.