Executives Jason Chambers and Santino DeFranco resign from Shine Fights

http://mmajunkie.com/news/21957/executives-jason-chambers-and-santino-defranco-resign-from-shine-fights.mma

By MMAjunkie.com Staff

The burgeoning Shine Fights promotion has lost two of its top officials.

COO Jason Chambers and matchmaker Santino DeFranco have resigned from the organization. MMA agent Ken Pavia, pointing to a text from Chambers, today confirmed the news on MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

To date, the organization has hosted three shows, including one in 2010.

Chambers joined the promotion soon after the collapse of "Shine Fights: Worlds Collide" and a Din Thomas vs. Ricardo Mayorga headliner. The May show was canceled on the day of the event because of numerous regulatory issues and a contract dispute that halted boxer Mayorga from making his MMA debut.

Chambers, a former fighter and TV host, worked his first show with September's single-night lightweight grand prix, which Drew Fickett ultimately won. However, Shine Fights officials couldn't get clearance from Virginia's regulatory body to host the show in the state because the organization allowed fans to vote on opening-round matchups.

Just a few days before the pay-per-view show, it was moved to Oklahoma.

While still employed by the organization, Chambers recently told that the organization temporarily is moving away from the tournament format it used in its most recent event.

"We want to do more single events so we can build our roster," Chambers said. "We're still doing tournaments, but the next event will not be a tournament."

The organization recently announced the signings of fighters such as Rolles Gracie, Mike Ciesnolevicz and Efrain Escudero, but no upcoming shows have been set.

The organization is run by Devin Price, a businessman who's the brother of former UFC fighter Dorian Price.