CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past year Tequila CAZADORES®, the number-one premium tequila in the world(1) and Official Spirits Sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® ("UFC®"), has awarded UFC fighters with the Tequila CAZADORES Authentic Spirit Award. These winners have embodied the core values of the brand demonstrating the following qualities: social responsibility, commitment to the mixed martial arts ("MMA") art form, or good sportsmanship. To pay tribute to this successful program and the efforts of these fighters, a culmination award will be presented to the fighter who has best exemplified these values over the past 12 months.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100324/NY76034 )

One winner has stood out above all others for his enthusiasm, passion and unfailing commitment to giving back to those in need. Light-Heavyweight fighter, Brian Stann will accept the culmination award at UFC 111 in New York City and $10,000 towards his charity, Hire Heroes.

Hire Heroes is a program which links wounded veterans returning from conflicts around the world and those who have served in the military with career opportunities. In March of 2006, Stann was awarded a Silver Star medal for his actions and bravery during combat in Iraq, making this charity and cause very dear to his heart.

As spokesperson and proud supporter, Stann is passionate about assisting veterans' transition back to civilian life by matching their interests and skills with the needs of hiring companies. As the overall winner, Tequila CAZADORES will present Stann with a special Authentic Spirit Award plaque and a $10,000 donation made in his name to Hire Heroes.

"The Authentic Spirit Award program has been extremely successful in driving enthusiasm for the brand's sponsorship with UFC, while acknowledging extraordinary fighters for their commitment to social responsibility and good sportsmanship," said Fannie Young, vice president and brand managing director, Tequila CAZADORES. "Brian Stann not only showcases the passion and dedication it takes to make changes in the world around us, but the ability to incite this determination in others."

Tequila CAZADORES is the Official Spirit Sponsor of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® ("UFC®"). UFC is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization ("MMA") that offers a premier series of MMA sporting events. The Authentic Spirit Award is an honor that has been presented to the UFC fighter who best exemplifies social responsibility, commitment to the MMA art form, or good sportsmanship. Each month the winning fighter was presented with a plaque and a $1,000 check from Tequila CAZADORES to the fighter's charity of choice.

Past winners have included:

• Forrest Griffin - Wounded Warrior Project
• Rich Franklin - Disabled American Veterans Organization
• Randy Couture - Xtreme Couture GI Foundation
• Kenny Florian - Special Operations Warrior Foundation
• Nate Marquardt - Sharon Antcliff Foundation
• Tito Ortiz - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Brandon Vera - Ysabel's Pink Angels
• Cain Velasquez - Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Frank Mir - St. Jude's Ranch for Children
• Brian Stann - Hire Heroes

About Tequila CAZADORES®

Tequila CAZADORES is the maker of the number-one premium tequila in the world(1) and the number-one Reposado Tequila in California(2). It is renowned as one of the most popular premium tequilas in Mexico. Tequila CAZADORES is made with 100 percent blue agave grown, harvested and distilled in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, recognized as the premier agave growing region in the world, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful taste. For additional information about Tequila CAZADORES please visit www.cazadores.com.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world's leading wine and spirits producers. Bacardi U.S.A. boasts a brand portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits in the United States including: BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the top-selling premium tequila worldwide; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship®

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa(TM), LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Bell ExpressVU, SaskTel Max(TM), Shaw Pay-Per-View, Viewers Choice, and WOWOW in Japan, and Premiere Combate and SporTV in Brazil, and via the Internet worldwide on Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or ufcespanol.com.

    For additional information:
    ---------------------------
    Melanie Klausner, Account Supervisor
    CORBIN-HILLMAN COMMUNICATIONS
    Melanie@corbinpr.com
    (646) 233-0453

    Joe Gerbino, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
    BACARDI U.S.A., INC.
    jgerbino@bacardi.com
    (786) 264-8421

DRINK RESPONSIBLY. DISFRUTE CON MODERACION

©2010 CAZADORES IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND THE DEER DEVICE IS A TRADEMARK. IMPORTED BY TEQUILA CAZADORES U.S.A., SEAL BEACH, CA. TEQUILAS - EACH 40% ALC. BY VOL.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa(TM), The Octagon(TM) and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

(1) 2007 International Wine & Spirit Record (IWSR)

(2) 2009 The Nielsen Company

SOURCE Tequila CAZADORES(R)