Cobra Energy Drink Presents

Apex: A Night of Champions

October 14, 2006

Robert Guertin Arena

Gatineau, Quebec

Canada

 

APEX Championship Fighting, in association with Cobra Energy Drink, is proud to announce A NIGHT OF

CHAMPIONS, on October 14th, 2006 at the incredible Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec. Fans of

APEX made it clear: they wanted to see fighters battle for APEX MMA Titles, and thus, APEX could only

oblige with not one, but FOUR Championship bouts.

 

In the main event of the evening, the most anticipated fight in APEX history will finally become a reality.

APEX superstar Wagnney Fabiano will face UFC and Pride veteran JeffBig FrogCurran for the APEX

World Featherweight Title. There has been a history of bad blood between these two competitors and

repeated attempts to make this fight happen has led to many cancellations. Finally, the fans will get what

they want as this is expected to be the greatest featherweight fight ever on Canadian soil.

 

In the co-main event, Rockland sensation NabilThe ThrillKhatib will be looking to add some APEX gold

around his waist as he takes on the well traveled FritzThe AnimalPaul for the vacant APEX Canadian

Middleweight Title. The undefeated Khatib has been raising eyebrows with his spectacular submission

victories of late and in Fritz Paul, will be facing his toughest test to date. Paul is well experienced veteran

who will be aiming to squash the hype surrounding Khatib. Talk out of Paul's camp is that 'Khatib is not

ready for Fritz Paul' and that this is a mismatch by APEX.

 

The third title bout of the evening, will be for APEX's World Welterweight Title, and will pit two of America's

best kept secrets, in Nuri Shakir (Team Elite) and James Gabert (Serra/Longo). Shakir is no stranger to

Canadian MMA fans, having made two victorious appearances in the APEX ring defeating Kevin

Manderson and UFC veteran Steve Berger. Shakir requested somebody who will stand and trade with him,

and his request was met willingly by his opponent. Gabert is no stranger to fans in Quebec as he has

defeated UFC Veteran Johnathan Goulet early in his career. Gabert has a never say die attitude and is

ready to go to war versus Shakir. Coincidentally enough, there is some history between these two warriors,

as Shakir recently defeated one of Gabert’s instructors, Nick Serra in an event south of the border. Gabert

is looking to avenge this loss and restore order to the Serra/Longo team.

 

In honor of the early years of MMA, APEX will be holding a 4-man tournament for the APEX Canadian

Welterweight Title. With careful scrutiny, APEX has selected Eric Beaulieu, Rowan Cunningham, Jason

Motard and Cory MacDonald to compete in this tournament and to become the first APEX Canadian

Welterweight Champion. The first round will feature Eric Beaulieu vs. Rowan Cunningham, with the winner

taking on the victor between Jason Motard and Cory MacDonald.

 

Beaulieu is coming off a dominating performance at APEX: Evolution and will be looking to avenge his only

loss in APEX as he faces then opponent Rowan Cunningham. Beaulieu has wanted to avenge this lost to

Cunningham for a long time and will finally get his chance on October 14th. Cunningham, one of Canada’s

most talented grapplers, is looking for a repeat performance versus Beaulieu, which was short and sweet,

so he can make it to the finals without expending too much energy.

 

Last June at APEX: EVOLUTION, Gatineau's Jason Motard put on an MMA clinic with his victory over

PrinceUgonga, which earned him a spot in this prestigious tournament. Standing in his way is the multi-

talented Cory MacDonald, who has represented Canada in the ADCC North American Championships, the

world’s top grappling tournament. MacDonald comes to APEX courtesy of the APEX: Auditions and MMA

Camp and brings a wealth of experience to the ring, looking to use this experience over the newer and

greener Jason Motard.

 

It has been a long time coming, and finally, making his APEX debut at 'A Night of Champions' is Canada's

premiere grappling sensation, Mark Bocek. Bocek has long been considered one of Canada’s top MMA

prospects, but for one reason or another has only fought once before and that was over two years ago. As a

BJJ Black Belt and a multiple grappling tournament champion, arguments always arise about how Bocek is

Canada’s most talented lightweight, but the time has come for Bocek to put it together in the ring and prove

to the world what he can do. Not one to take an easy fight, Bocek steps up against an APEX veteran in

Kevin Manderson a prodigy of UFC veteran Joe Doerksen. Manderson is an excellent wrestler with a solid

ground and a stifling standup game. Manderson has thirteen (13) professional fights under his belt to Bocek's

one (1), so the odds are definitely in Manderson's favour. Can Mark Bocek’s pedigree offset Kevin

Manderson’s experience? On October 14th, we will find out.

 

APEX: A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS will once again be showcasing a bevy of local talent from Ottawa and

Gatineau. Defending the National Capital Region are Mark Loft (Ronin), Pascal Debeq (Team Bushido),

Nick Denis (Ronin), Stephane Hamarche (Ronin), Chris Kruger (Carver’s Muay Thai) and Eric Lacelle

(Hawkesbury).

 

APEX is also ecstatic with the results of our APEX: Auditions & MMA Camp in April in Mississauga. As the

first event of its kind on Canadian soil, APEX was able to discover many MMA athletes that were ready to

compete professionally in the APEX MMA ring. At APEX: A NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS, a total of eight (8)

competitors will be competing courtesy of their performances at the APEX: Auditions and MMA Camp,

namely Jason Motard, Cory MacDonald, Jason Cecil, Justin Darbyson-Billingham, Rory McDonnell,

Jordan Jewell and Doug Keays. APEX Championship Fighting delivers results, not promises. Look for

more information coming shortly about the next edition of the APEX: Auditions & MMA Camp.

 

With the world’s best athletes, non-stop action and unmatched excitement, APEX: A NIGHT OF

CHAMPIONS is a can’t-miss event for all MMA fans and thrill seekers in the capital region. Tickets are on

sale right now at TICKETMASTER.ca or by calling (613) 755-1111. Get your tickets now so you can

guarantee yourself a seat for this incredible event at the 4,000 seat venue, The Robert Guertin Arena!!

 

 

Line-up (not in fight order):

 

 


 

 

 

- From Apex with a little editing from us (color, etc...)

 

 

 

Subject to change

 

 

 

 

(9/1/06)