MMA Expo comes to Philadelphia January 9 and 10 and despite the fact that most individuals have become very selective about the Facebook Groups they join, in just the past two weeks alone an impressive 2,000+ Philadelphia area MMA fans have already signed up to the MMA Expo Philly Facebook group. But that doesn’t surprise show manager and MMA Expo producer, Gerald Chopik.

“When you look at our celebrity line-up and all the activities we have scheduled across the weekend it’s easy to see why MMA Expo is so popular. We launched the initial MMA fan expo back in 2005 and we’ve been delivering a quality event ever since. Our Facebook sign-ups represent only a small portion of the actual attendance at each event and the 2,000+ number is consistent with our other events. So it’s a strong indication that fans are in for another great weekend.”

In addition to a list of more than a dozen celebrities including such MMA notables as Sean Sherk, Cung Le, Shonie Carter, Matt Hamill and Dan Severn, the high-energy weekend event includes Celebrity Seminars, a unique Referee and Judging Clinic for those that would like to become an MMA official, as well as fast-action Submission Grappling, Karate and USA Boxing tournaments which are feeder events to the annual Arnold Classic under the Tokey Hill Challenge. Key sponsors of the event include Zebra Mats and the number one provider of MMA television coverage, HDNet Fights.

“Most fans only get to see fighters on pay-per-view. MMA Expo gives them an opportunity to meet some of their favourite celebrities in person for autographs and photos. We also have two combat cages, a boxing ring, dozens of exhibitors and demonstrations, a free pre-event party on Friday night, and the Official MMA Celebrity After Party on Saturday night.” For this particular weekend MMA Expo combined the Official After Party with the Saturday Night Football Playoff Game. Chopik’s perspective: “MMA fans, plus fighters, friends and football! This is going to be one action-packed weekend.”

MMA Expo takes place at the Valley Forge Convention Centre. The popular event is co-located with the Philly Sports Expo which highlights another fifteen sports including Strongman, Power-lifting and Arm Wrestling as well as the FAME Swimsuit competitions and much more. Parking is free and the single general admission of $20 provides attendees with access to both Expos. For more information check out the MMA Expo Philly Facebook group or visit www.MixedMartialArtsExpo.com and select Philadelphia.