UFC and TUF Veteran Sam Hoger

Returns to Action Jan. 24th

January 24, 2009

Pasadena Convention Center

Pasadena, Texas

Pasadena, TX - UFC veteran and star of the reality TV hit series "The Ultimate Fighter" Sam

Hoger returns to action on January 24th at Urban Rumble III in Pasadena, Texas . For Hoger this will be his

second fight in the Heavyweight division as he is coming off a win at Heavyweight for World Championship

Fighting last September. Hoger is set to face one of the most experienced competitors in MMA today in

Johnathan "Big" Ivey. Ivey has competed in over 60 MMA matches and has fought the likes of UFC

veterans Gan McGee, Ricco Rodriguez, Dan Severn and Jeremy Horn.

After his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter TV show, Hoger faced some of the biggest names in the UFC

Light Heavyweight division in Lyoto Machida and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans.

After dropping two of three fights Hoger decided to re-focus himself and train in a way that would lead him

back to the UFC. Hoger opened his own gym in Houston , a Militech Fighting System (MFS) affiliate gym,

where he has over 200 students. Part of the re-focusing led Hoger to realize that his frame and natural

fighting weight lends him to fight at Heavyweight and not Light Heavyweight. Hoger spoke of the decision to

move to Heavyweight, "The Cut took a lot out of me, and I felt tired and drained. After that first fight [at

Heavyweight] I felt faster and stronger than ever. I think this is the weight for me."

The action happens live January 24th at the Urban Rumble III event in Pasadena , Texas . The event is also

being broadcast via live internet stream at www.BeatDownTV.com. You can also catch the live weigh-ins on

Friday January 23rd! For more information on this event visit the Urban Rumble web site at:

www.MMASyndicate.com. Don't miss the action at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Texas.

- From ActionFight, Inc (www.actionfight.com) with a little editing from us (color, etc..)

- Photo courtesy of ActionFight, Inc

Subject to change

(1/21/09)