IGN is staging the ultimate head-to-head fighting competition at this year’s New York Comic Con—when pro gaming stars take on MMA greats including Rampage Jackson and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson at the eagerly awaited fighting game, Soulcalibur VI from Bandai Namco Entertainment—the first-ever live competition for the game. IGN alumnus Greg Miller and esports commentator Alex “Golden Boy” Mendez will return as the announcers for the latest event in IGN’s award winning esports Showdown.
The IGN Esports Showdown—Sponsored by Overlord, the new Nazi Zombie movie from JJ Abrams, in theaters November 9th—will see YouTube and game streaming personalities CashNasty and Troydan also join the battle with MMA stars Angela “Overkill” Hill and Jens Pulver LIVE on IGN.com from 7pm ET on Wednesday, October 3rd. Fans in NYC for Comic Con can pre-register for tickets for the live event, which takes place at Ideal Glass Studio, 22 East 2nd Street at [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ign-esports-showdown-live-taping-nyc-tickets-50713025023
The Soulcalibur fighting series has developed its reputation over its 20 year history and Soulcalibur VI is the first full game in six years. At IGN Esports Showdown MMA Stars and pro gamers will be battling it out with a pre-release version and giving fans an exclusive look at the game in a live competition.
The action begins online at 7PM ET and will be available to gamers no matter what device or platform they use, with IGN Esports Showdown available across more than 20 platforms including IGN.com, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Stories, Snapchat, Mixer, Twitch, as well as IGN’s mobile apps for iOS and Android and OTT apps on Apple TV, and Sony PlayStation 4. The event will also be available via Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Facebook and Twitter channels.
MMA Stars
Quentin ‘Rampage’ Jackson – Helping propel MMA to global recognition, Rampage gained fans around the world, thanks to his aggressive fighting style. He’s fought at middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight for MMA promotions around the globe, and now has a multiyear deal with Bellator MMA.
Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson has been described as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the world, currently ranked at #7 in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings. The first ever UFC Flyweight Champion, he currently holds the record for the most takedowns in UFC history.
Jens Pulver was nicknamed Lil’’ Evil through his career. He was the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion and was the head coach on the Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show. He competed in the Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions.
Angela ‘Overkill’ Hill, Muay Thai/MMA Fighter and The Ultimate Fighter season 20 contestant, is known for her cosplay before fights and is the first African American female to be signed to the UFC.
Professional Gamers
CashNasty has over 3m subscribers across his YouTube channels and a rapidly growing audience on Twitch and social media as part of 2Hype – a group of YouTubers who reach more than 9m subscribers.
Troydan, a YouTube and Twitch streamer who since posting his first gaming video in 2014, has grown his audience to over 2.5m subscribers on YouTube and has generated millions of views on Twitch.