Forrest Griffin in Americana II 'Ring Kings'
July 07, 2008

While the world of Mixed Martial Arts ("MMA") recently made its debut on national television (and soon in the trading card industry), what could have been the fight of the year occurred Saturday night...and what a fight it was!

Forrest Griffin defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to capture the light heavyweight championship in Las Vegas. The victory helped the former reality TV star improved his record to 16-4. Griffin has been selected to appear in the first-ever mixed martial arts trading card series manufactured by the Donruss Trading Card Company.

Slated for release next week, "Ring Kings" pays tribute to the world's fastest growing sport. Appearing as an insert in Donruss Americana II, 30 different fighters will be making their trading card debut in the series including current welterweight champion George St. Pierre, featherweight champion Urijah Faber, middle weight champion Cung Le and female champion Gina Carano. Also slated to appear are fighting legends Randy Couture, Big John McCarthy and Bas Rutten.

Forrest has signed autographs for Donruss and included a pair of fight worn trunks that swatches of material will be placed on cards to create a memorabilia version. He even signed a limited number of the cards with the notation "The Ultimate Fighter."

"Forrest is a great addition to the program," said Marketing Director Scott Prusha. "Unfortunately we had him sign before the fight, or we would have had him add the notation "World Champion" to his signature."

The Americana product, which Donruss launched earlier this year, pays tribute to actors, musicians and other legendary figures in American pop culture. The set includes prominent figures ranging from Jackie Chan, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, John Cusak and Gary Sinise to legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin and former President George W. Bush. The "Ring Kings" insert is the first set to include fighters from the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Donruss Americana II is set to release this July and will be packaged and sold in both retail and hobby stores nationwide.

For more information, visit www.donruss.com.

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