HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ --

See "The Real Story of Evan Tanner" – MMA & UFC Champion –  Wednesday, January 16, 2013

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130115/CG42593)

Tough Crowd Productions and TapouT Films are proud to announce the world premiere of Once I Was A Champion, now available on Pay-Per-View, Video On Demand, and multiple Movies on Demand digital networks starting January 16, 2013. "Ever since we announced the release, fans have been clamoring to see the real life story of MMA and UFC champion, Evan Tanner," says Kirk Porter, producer of Once I Was A Champion. The response to the film on the official Facebook page is overwhelmingly positive as Fans remember the impact Evan had on MMA fighters, friends, and supporters from around the world. They want to see the movie NOW!  Their wait is over!"

About the Movie
Writer, philosopher, alcoholic, and UFC Champion Evan Tanner died mysteriously in the desert of Clapp Springs, California. He was searching for treasure but not of the material kind. The feature-length biopic Once I Was A Champion focuses on the people whose lives Evan forever changed, as they try to figure out who he really was and the reason behind his untimely death. The film runs 93 minutes with includes appearances from some of the UFC's and MMA's most famous personalities, including:

Dana White, Randy Couture, Chael Sonnen,  Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin , Bas Rutten, Big John McCarthy, Guy Mezger, Phil Baroni and more! The Film also includes never-before-released fight scenes from Evan's winning Pancrase Fights in Japan!

"Evan Tanner is admired for his writings along with his fighting. He inspired people to know that they have the power to change the world," says director Gerard Roxburgh. "I corresponded with Evan before his death and after hearing the news, I was compelled to tell his life story. Seeing fans react to the completed film and talk about how Evan inspired them is absolutely wonderful. Given the fans' 'demand' to see the documentary, it's great to finally get it out there!" 

See "Once I Was A Champion" – The Real Story of Evan Tanner – MMA & UFC Champion

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

CHARLES MOORE OF CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE WINS THE "DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN MMA CHAMPION" SWEEPSTAKES – VIA THE UNDERGROUND!

To promote the film's release, film Producers offered fans the chance to live a day in the life of an MMA fighter. Thousands of men and women across the U.S. entered via the official Facebook page and by texting their entry from their mobile phones. Charles Moore was randomly selected by the Sponsors and was flown to Las Vegas to attend UFC 155, where Cain Velasquez defeated Junior Dos Santos in the rematch of the year. Sitting ringside with President and Co-Founder of TapouT, Dan "Punkass" Caldwell, Charles was seen on television from his ringside seat where he hung out with some of MMA's most famous celebrities, including Sirius radio personality "Scrape" and UFC Fighters Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone. What was it like to hang VIP-style next to celebs including Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis?

"It was the opportunity of a lifetime," says TapouT's Dan "Punkass" Caldwell. To go backstage, attend the weigh-ins, meet the stars of MMA, and get one-on-one coaching from real MMA fighters is a dream come true. Charles is a huge MMA fan – exactly the type of person we hoped would win!"  

Says Charles Moore: "The whole trip was insane. I kept asking myself… is this really happening? And it was!" The Sweepstakes was co-promoted by MiddleEasy, Sherdog, MMA.TV, and MixedMarialArts.com. Charles learned about the Once I Was A Champion Sweepstakes while getting his daily MMA update on The Underground. 

See photos, videos, and movie clips on www.Facebook.com/OnceIWasAChampion

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
"Once I Was A Champion" is produced by Tough Crowd Productions and TapouT Films, and directed by Gerard Roxburgh. The film is distributed by Echo Bridge Entertainment and starting Wednesday, January 16, 2012, can be seen on TimeWarner Cable, SuddenLink, Verizon FiOS, Dish, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu; and Pay-Per-View channels nationwide. Fans in Canada can also see the film on Google Play and iTunes starting January 16, 2013.

About TapouT Films
TapouT Films develops, creates, and distributes compelling films that entertain the hell out of a fast-growing and loyal, mixed martial arts audience worldwide. Part of the industry-leading and highly-sought TapouT brand, the company produces a raucous, in-demand TV reality show; the most popular magazine in the MMA; and sponsors some of the best MMA Fighters around the world. As the Official lifestyle brand of the UFC, TapouT undoubtedly corners the competition in and out of the octagon. 

About Tough Crowd Productions
Tough Crowd Productions is an American film production company responsible for a variety of short films including Out on the Wing and the children's seriesDecklin.  In 2008 the company began production on their first feature length documentary Once I Was A Champion about the life and untimely death of UFC Champion Evan Tanner. Now working on its second feature-length film while lending their skill set to other production companies, Tough Crowd Productions is widely recognized and highly sought amongst its peers.

About Echo Bridge Entertainment
Echo Bridge Entertainment is a premiere independent content company, acquiring and distributing motion pictures, television series, specials and MOWs, home entertainment, PC games, digital and video-on-demand content throughout the world. With its recent acquisition of Alliance Atlantis International Distribution Ltd. and just-announced distribution partnership with Comcast, Echo Bridge has added over 7,500 hours of programming to its existing library – creating a combined portfolio of more than 5,000 titles. Echo Bridge's feature film library includes titles starring Val Kilmer, Robin Williams, Matthew Perry, Anthony LaPaglia, Sharon Stone, Will Smith, James Belushi, Robert DeNiro, Nick Nolte, Ryan Reynolds, and John Goodman.

By Popular Demand: See the Multi-Network Premiere of Once I Was A Champion on January 16, 2013.

Believe in Yourself, Believe in the Power of One. www.OnceIWasAChampion.com

Media Contact: Jessica Harris, RGM / TapouT Films / Tough Crowd Productions: Once I Was A Champion, +14242455716, jessica@rgmediagroup.com

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SOURCE TapouT Films