I am writing to let everyone know where I stand as far my fighting career goes. At this time I am choosing to take some time off and step away from the sport as a fighter. Over my most recent fights I have come to the realization that at this point I no longer can, nor want to make fighting my first priority. Never in my career have I lost two fights in a row and my last fight’s decision in particular was especially hard for me to swallow to be honest. Even last year when i was on a 4 fight win streak I still was questioning myself. This has made me reconsider what my next step will be competitively. I have spoken at length with Joe Silva about my decision and have decided not to renew my contract with the UFC. I want to take the time to regroup, refocus, and rethink what it is that I want to do going forward. I want to do things that I enjoy right now and refresh my mind. I want to concentrate on my BJJ game and improve it. I want to work on my boxing game and improve that also. I’d like to compete in some grappling tournaments again like the old days and maybe even try my hand at a pro boxing fight. I want to have fun training again, bottom line. Most importantly I want to spend more time with my family. My daughter is four years old and I can’t tell you how much of her life I’ve missed dedicating my life to training for fights.

Kurt has recently signed to fight ATT BJJ black belt, Gleison Tibau on March 19th at the Prudential Center in Newark NJ. Kurt is coming off a loss to George Sotiropolous at UFC 116 this past summer and an ACL replacement surgery thereafter. He is looking forward to making his comeback fight in front of his hometown fans. Kurts camp begins this week and he is looking forward to getting back to his winning ways.

PRESALE tickets for the event will be available to order at the academy in the next coming week. Please see the front desk for ordering details.

This Saturday, November 20th Kurt will be appearing with Rocky Marciano Jr. at the Monmouth Horse Park from 12 noon to 4pm. Kurt will be support the " BULLYING... We’re Kickin’ It Across America" National Campaign Fundraiser.
Come out and join them for a fun afternoon and a good cause!

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® BIG SCREEN EVENT

features special guest appearances by Kurt Pellegrino and

Greg Soto at CLV Middlebrook Galleria Cinema 10

live ON saturday, OCTOBER 23

UFC® fans will get an opportunity to meet Kurt Pellegrino and Greg Soto as they host the biggest fight of the year, UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez, at the CLV Middlebrook Galleria Cinema 10. UFC 121 will be broadcast from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. to more than 300 select movie theaters nationwide including the CLV Middlebrook Galleria Cinema 10.

With seven victories in the UFC®, Kurt Pellegrino (fighting out of Point Pleasant, NJ/ 21-5) is a veteran of the organization, with four of the victories coming by way of submission. Pellegrino put together a four fight win streak from late 2008 through March of 2010. The black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu has opened his own academy and has trained fellow UFC fighter Greg Soto.

Kurt has been nominated by UFC's corporate sponsor Cazadores Tequila for the spirit award at UFC 116. Kurt is one of three nominated fighters. You can vote now at www.ufc.com/spiritaward from now until June 21st.

The Tequila CAZADORES® Spirit Award is presented to UFC fighters who have demonstrated honor and integrity both in and out of the Octagon. The nominees have embodied the core values of social responsibility, sportsmanship, and dedication to mixed martial arts. Tequila CAZADORES® will present a $1000 check to the winner's designated charity. Kurt has selected the National Center for Children with Learning Disabilities as his charity.

VOTE NOW www.ufc.com/spiritaward
You can vote more than once!!

Kurt will be signing autographs at All American Ford on Route 18 in Old Bridge, NJ on Saturday June 26th from 230pm to 430pm.

Come meet and greet Kurt before he leaves for Las Vegas to take on George Sotiropolous at UFC 116 on July 3rd!

Kurt has signed to fight George Sotiropolous at UFC 116 on July 3rd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Kurt's fight will be the 1st fight on the main PAY PER VIEW card. Kurt has started his camp and has made yet more changes to his camp to bring things to the next level. Bringing in world champion Marcelo Garcia as another jiu jitsu coach was a good start. Kurt is continuing to work with his boxing coach Mike Skowronski, stregnth and conditioning coaches Jon Chaimberg and Sharon Wentworth, and as always MMA and jiu jitsu coaches Kenny and Keith Florian. Kurt also continues to work with his fight team and long time friend and coach, black belt Rob Scheier. The fight will be fireworks for the holiday weekend in Las Vegas! Tune in July 3rd to see Batman go to work!

Kurt has also picked up another great sponsor, All American Ford in Old Bridge NJ! http://www.ableford.com/ou/oldbridge-ford/ In partnership with Ecko (Kurts apparel sponsor) they have provided Kurt with a nice new ride as part of the sponsorship. Check out the picture! Many thanks to All American Ford for supporting Team Pellegrino!

Lastly, pick up your copy of the new game UFC Undisputed 2010, as Kurt Pellegrino is one of the featured characters!

A very special guest visited Kurt's training camp this past week. The former WBO junior welterweight champ, Miguel Cotto was in from Puerto Rico to train with Kurt for his upcoming fight at UFC 111 on March 27th. It was a pleasure to have the champ here. We look forward to having him back and wish him the best of luck as he gets back in the ring on June 12th of this year!

Also training here for the month of February is the former WEC bantamweight champ, Miguel Torres! Miguel and Kurt are both training for big fights. Miguel will look to get back in title contention when he takes on Joseph Benavidez on March 6th (on Verses network)