New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame to honor Jim Genia

Jim GeniaFrom New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame:

Genia selected as "Media Personality of the Year"

(New Jersey) - The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame is  extremely proud of its inaugural class of inductees to the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This class will be honored at the induction dinner gala to be held at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Meadowlands on December 7, 2012.

On December 7th, Jim Genia will be inducted as New Jersey's Media Personality of the Year.

Jim Genia is the author of Raw Combat: The Underground World of Mixed Martial Arts, and has covered the sport of mixed martial arts since 2001. For nine years he was a writer and editor for Full Contact Fighter magazine, and has sat ringside for hundreds of fighting events, covering the action and penning over a thousand articles on the subject.  He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.

Tickets to the awards dinner can be purchased by calling 201-538-4843 or online at www.njmmaawards.com. Discount hotel room rates at the Crowne Plaza can be also obtained by calling 877-227-6963 and mentioning the Hall of Fame dinner.

New Jersey is building a rich tradition in non-boxing martial arts and our goal is to recognize these individuals and entities. Our goal is to honor those involved with New Jersey martial arts and to celebrate with them, at an evening with family and friends. Our focus is on those directly involved in New Jersey martial arts. This truly is a historical moment in our State’s combat sports history as our intent is to have the New Jersey State Martial Arts Hall of Fame continue for many years and serve as a record for those outstanding individuals involved in martial arts in our State.

We hope you will join us on December 7, 2012. Mark your calendars now and purchase your tickets early so you can be sure to be a part of New Jersey martial arts history. Call 201-538-4843 or visit www.njmmaawards.comand get your ticket and join us in a historic night for New Jersey and for martial arts. It is certain to be a terrific night with family, friends, fun, and music.

Here is the complete list of award winners:

2012 Inaugural Class Inductee Awards

Legend Award- Renzo Gracie
Lifetime Achievement Award- Louis Neglia
MMA Fighter of the Year- Frankie Edgar
MMA Female Fighter of the Year- Munah Holland
Muay Thai Fighter of the Year- Ognjen Topic
Muay Thai female fighter of the Year- Prairie Rugilo
MMA Trainer of the Year-Mike Constantino
Muay Thai Trainers of the Year- Ray Cruz and Joe Bumanlag
MMA Promoter of the Year- Rob Haydak
MMA Matchmaker of the Year-Sam Caplan
Muay Thai Matchmaker of the Year- Chris Tran
Muay Thai Referee of the Year- Coban
MMA Referee of the Year- Dan Miragliotta
MMA Judge of the Year- Ricardo Almeida
Muay Thai Judge of the Year- Vladimir Borodine
Ringside Physician of the Year- Dr. Sherry Wulkan
Announcer of the Year- Kevin Garvey
Media Personality of the Year-Jim Genia
Pioneer MMA Fighter Award- Dave Tirelli
Outstanding Achievement in MMA- Kurt Pellegrino