From Dream Stage Entertainment, September 19, 2006 TOKYO, Japan –
PRIDE FIGHTING is proud to announce two additional bouts for its first ever show on American soil, “THE REAL DEAL.”  The event will take place on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st at the THOMAS & MACK CENTER in LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.  Just added to the card: “THE BABY FACE ASSASSIN” JOSH BARNETT battles PAWEL NASTULA and ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH faces off with “ THE SAMOAN MONSTER” MARK HUNT.

The first announced bout features “THE BABY FACE ASSASSIN” JOSH BARNETT versus Polish Judo expert PAWEL NASTULA.  A native of Seattle and former UFC Champion, Barnett has established himself as one of the world’s top mixed martial arts heavyweights.  A submission wrestler, Barnett is coming off of an impressive string of victories in the absolute weight tournament including wins over former PRIDE heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Aleksander Emelianenko.  Barnett lost in the finals of the tournament to eventual champion Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.  Barnett’s opponent, Pawel Nastula, is a former two-time Judo World Champion and 1996 Olympic gold medallist who is coming off of a victory over Brazilian slugger, Edson Drago.  Training at the legendary Takada Dojo, Pawel Nastula will be ready for anything when he faces off against Josh Barnett on October 21st.

A former IBA World super heavyweight Champion, ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH brings more than 350 pounds of fierce fighting energy to PRIDE FIGHTING.  In addition to his successful boxing career, Butterbean has also been seen kicking butt in MTV’s film Jackass: the Movie, where he beats down professional prankster Johnny Knoxville. Challenging this massive tough man is the “SAMOAN MONSTER” MARK HUNT, a former K-1 WORLD GP tournament winner who is establishing himself in PRIDE with his deadly arsenal of punches, Muay Thai knees and kicks.  So far in PRIDE, Hunt has defeated the likes of former WBO NABO cruiserweight boxing champion Yosuke "Yosukezan" Nishijima, as well as “The Croatian Sensation” Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.

Headlining the Thomas & Mack event is PRIDE FIGHTING heavyweight champion and 2004 Grand Prix champion, FEDOR EMELIANENKO against former Olympic wrestler and PRIDE FIGHTING 2000 open weight Grand Prix champion MARK COLEMAN. Also, 2005 tournament champion, MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA will meet the explosive two time NCAA wrestling champion, KEVIN “THE MONSTER” RANDLEMAN in a match to be remembered.

Tickets to PRIDE FIGHTING’s “The Real Deal,” sponsored by Caesars Palace, are available at www.pridefc.com or 1-866-US FIGHT. Ticket prices range from $50 to $700. PRIDE FIGHTING’s first U.S. card will also be featured on Pay-Per-View for $39.95. Check your local cable or satellite provider for details.

North American Pay Per View Schedule:
PPV Premiere Date: Saturday, October 21st
Premiere Time: 9:00pm EST, 6:00pm PST

Fight Card

Fedor Emelianenko (Russia) vs. Mark Coleman (USA)
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (Brazil) vs. Kevin Randleman (USA)
Mark Hunt (New Zealand) vs. Eric “Butterbean” Esch (USA)
Josh Barnett (USA) vs. Pawel Nastula (Poland)

Additional bouts to be announced soon.

Fight Card Subject to Change.

For more information about PRIDE Fighting Championships, visit www.pridefc.com.