Mixed Martial Arts Legend Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons Signs With Raw Combat

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Vancouver, BC, Canada - To the average sports fan, "Pele" is synonymous with the famous football player, but to anyone who follows mixed martial arts, the name rightfully belongs to another Brazilian legend. For over 15 years, Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons (23-14-0) has made a career out of brutalizing opponents with his powerful striking ability, defeating former UFC champions Matt Hughes and Pat Miletich in the cage, as well as current octagon king Anderson Silva on two occasions in kickboxing matches.

Raised in Curitiba, Brazil, Landi-Jons was one of the original products of Chute Boxe; the team that spawned Anderson Silva as well as Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Murilo "Ninja" Rua. Today the heavy-hitting Brazilian lives in Surrey, B.C. Canada with his family and trains with the Revolution mixed martial arts team.

A veteran of Pride, World Extreme Cagefighting, Jungle Fight, Cage Rage and the International Vale Tudo Championships, "Pele" has fought in every corner of the world including Japan, Britain, the United States, Brazil, Holland and even Kuwait. Now, the 33-year-old has agreed to write the next chapter of his incredible career in Raw Combat.

"I've been fighting my whole life, starting as a child," he says. "I'm the first champion of Chute Boxe international. Canada has been very important for me to transform my life. My children and my family live in Canada and I'm going to represent my family and Revolution at Raw Combat."

For Raw Combat C.E.O. Dave Feser, signing such a marquee fighter is a dream come true. "He's my one of my top 5 MMA fighters," he explains. "He's got true warrior spirit and he's been in battles with some of the best guys in the world. I'm honored to have him on our show."

While no opponent has been announced yet, Landi-Jons will have extra motivation to win his next bout as he is coming off two back-to-back defeats, first losing by a first-round knockout to Team Quest fighter Jake "The Juggernaut" Ellenberger in November of 2007 and then suffering a terrible broken leg against Brian Gassaway in February of 2008. Although that match saw him dominating early on, a kick to Gassaway's leg caused the shin of "Pele" to break entirely in half, sending him reeling to the mat in agonizing pain.

Now fully recovered, the fighting legend is ready to prove once again that he's on top of his game. “His camp says he is back and training like a madman," Feser says. "He's itching to get back into the cage to prove that he’s still one of MMA’s top fighters in the world."

"I am one-hundred percent in boxing, wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu," explains Landi-Jons. "I'm relaxed. I helped make this sport. The old fans know me from a long time ago. Now I'm sending a message to the new fans. I am a samurai. I'm not afraid of anything. I'll fight anyone."

The next Raw Combat event is scheduled for October 25th at the Calgary Corral. Other fighters slated to appear include Canadian sensation Denis Kang facing former CFL player Marvin Eastman and world Jiu-Jitsu champion Bibiano Fernandes against an opponent yet to be announced.

Contacts:
Dave Feser, Raw Combat - (604) 818-1499 or
Dave Houshiar, Raw Combat – (403) 667-9381 or