Music, Punches, and Hoops – IPZ’s Latest Newsletter

Kazakh Music Artist, Dimash Kudaibergen, to be Represented by IPZ

WARREN, N.J., (June 1, 2020) — Dimash Kudaibergen, a 26-year-old Kazakh singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, known for his vocal range, has signed with IPZ, Kudaibergen and IPZ announced today.
“Dimash is a multi-talented artist who is just beginning to gain recognition in the United States,” said IPZ managing partner Robert Zito. “He has tremendous opportunities to expand his already successful career and will be an asset to global brands looking to connect with his followers.”

 

The University-trained singer comes from Aktobe, Kazakhstan, and has been performing on-stage since the age of two, winning his first musical contest at the age of six. He graduated in Classical Music (Bel Canto) from the music institute of K. Zhubanov University in Aktobe, in 2014. Upon graduation, he began his studies in Contemporary Music at Kazakh National University of Arts in Astana. He graduated with a Major in Vocal in 2018 and is now taking his Masters in Composing.

 

Kudaibergen has performed songs in twelve different languages and plays seven instruments. He is currently bilingual in Kazakh and Russian and is studying English and Mandarin. Kudaibergen has earned multiple awards around the world, including “Best Asian Singer,” his first Chinese Award.

 

Dimash released his first self-composed work in 2012, and his second, Unforgettable Day, in 2015. In 2016, Kudaibergen had his first headlining tour, Unforgettable Day, holding 25 concerts in 25 regions of Kazakhstan. The 2015 Slavianski Bazaar Grand Prix Winner rose to fame around the world, most notably in China as a “wildcard competitor” in Hunan TV’s Singer 2017. On Singer, Kudaibergen sang his own song “Unforgettable Day” which sent his song to the top of the Fresh Asia Music Charts. He has appeared at many music festivals around the world, including his appearance at the 2016 Women’s Day concert in Astana, where he sang with his parents, and the “All Stars for My Beloved” concert dedicated to International Women’s Day in Moscow.

 

Following Singer, Kudaibergen sold out his first large-scale solo concert, “Beginning”, and had continued success throughout China and Russia. Last year, Kudaibergen was introduced to the United States as the “Six Octave Man” and the “man with the world’s widest vocal range”. Also in 2019, he released his first album, which reached platinum status within 37 seconds after release, and triple-platinum within an hour of release. In December, he performed in the United States for the first time, selling out the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

Kudaibergen’s Arnau World Tour began in February 2020, where all six events were sold out. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has halted his tour until further notice. However, Kudaibergen has not let the pandemic halt his reach. In Nur-Sultan and Aktobe, he has provided more than 100 families in need with donations of food and supplies.

 

“Reaching audiences in the United States is the next logical step in my career,” said Dimash. “I have been extremely fortunate to this point in my life to have the support and guidance of my parents, friends and family, as well at times as our entire nation. I hope my continued growth will help the world see the cultural beauty of my home.”

 

Aside from music, Dimash has ventures in modeling, fragrances and acting. He is also very involved in humanitarianism, performing at numerous charitable events, and is a goodwill ambassador of the “Listen Project” by the Audiology Development Foundation of China Trust Fund, that provides hearing aid devices and education to hearing-impaired children.

 

Alexey Oleynik featured in Miami Herald Following UFC 249 Win

American Top Team’s Alexey Oleynik made history during UFC’s history making return

by Jim Varsallone, Miami Herald, June 16, 2020

 

UFC returned May 9 in Florida in Jacksonville with UFC 249.

That wasn’t the only history being made that night as UFC fighter Alexey Oleynik was making history, too.
Not only was he part of the historic card, the first since the coronavirus pandemic, but this South Florida resident, via Russia, won his bout, beating Fabricio Werdum to become the first MMA fighter in history to win fights in four decades.

Oleynik is 42-years-old, in shape, ranked Top 10 UFC heavyweights, has a 59-13-1 record (8-4 in UFC with five Performance of the Night wins). He fought twice for UFC in Russia, including the first time UFC conducted a show there, and the hometown hero won beating Mark Hunt.

Oleynik visits family and friends in Russia when time permits.

Through a friend, Oleynik moved from Russia to South Florida about four years ago, joining the award-winning American Top Team training center, based in Coconut Creek.

Read the full article on The Miami Herald here.

 

Alexey Oleynik expected to headline UFC card in August

Derrick Lewis vs. Alexey Oleinik expected to headline UFC card on Aug. 8

A heavyweight fight between Derrick Lewis and Alexey Oleinik is expected to headline the upcoming UFC card on August 8 in the United States.

Multiple sources confirmed to MMA Fighting that verbal agreements are in place for the matchup following an initial report from ESPN.

Read the full story on MMA Fighting here.

 

Pat Andree Featured in Asbury Park Press

Pat Andree, Former CBA Star, Ready for Pro Basketball Career Leap

Sherlon Christie, Asbury Park Press, May 13, 2020

Some 40 years after Bob Roma set it, Pat Andree eclipsed his total of 1,671 career points

He’s made an impression everywhere he’s shot a basketball for a team.

From the hardwood floors at his high school alma mater of Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown, to Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, Pat Andree is ready to take the next step in his basketball career.
He’s ready to go pro.

“It is what I have wanted to do. I pictured myself graduating college and going on this route,” said Colts Neck native Andree, a 6-foot-8 forward who’s a skilled catch-and-shoot threat on offense. “My dad Tim played overseas for seven or eight years. So, when I moved from Lehigh University to North Carolina State University and away from my family and friends, it was a trial run of what life would be like living on my own.”
Read the full story here.

 

Andrei Arlovski Celebrates UFC Fight Night Win

Andrei Arlovski found out what happens when he sticks to his team’s game plan

by Matt Erickson and John Morgan, MMA Junkie, May 15, 2020

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Andrei Arlovski beat Philipe Lins with a unanimous decision Wednesday on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 29 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Take a look inside the fight with Arlovski, who has alternated wins and losses his past four fights.
Read the full article on MMAJunkie here.

 

 

View the official Newsletter here.
To subscribe to the IPZ Newsletter, please send your email address to emily@ipzusa.com.

 

American Top Team’s Alexey Oleynik made history during UFC’s history making return

UFC returned May 9 in Florida in Jacksonville with UFC 249.

 

That wasn’t the only history being made that night as UFC fighter Alexey Oleynik was making history, too.

 

Not only was he part of the historic card, the first since the coronavirus pandemic, but this South Florida resident, via Russia, won his bout, beating Fabricio Werdum to become the first MMA fighter in history to win fights in four decades…

Nicknamed the Boa Constrictor, Oleynik is the first fighter in UFC history to finish with an Ezekiel choke. He is also the only fighter in UFC history to finish with an Ezekiel choke (twice)…

Read the full article in The Miami Herald here.

Alexey Oleynik Doesn’t Want to Wait to Capitalize on big UFC 249 Win

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Alexey Oleynik is not one to call out future opponents, even after earning a No. 10 UFC ranking following a pivotal win over former division champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 249. However, that does not mean he will face whomever the promotion offers. The 42-year-old is well aware of his value and will only settle for a Top 15 foe next.

 

Read the full article and watch the interview here.

Pat Andree, former CBA star, ready for pro basketball career leap

Sherlon Christie, Asbury Park Press Published 5:00 a.m. ET May 13, 2020
5-6 minutes
Some 40 years after Bob Roma set it, Pat Andree eclipsed his total of 1,671 career points

He’s made an impression everywhere he’s shot a basketball for a team.

From the hardwood floors at his high school alma mater of Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown, to Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, Pat Andree is ready to take the next step in his basketball career.

He’s ready to go pro.

“It is what I have wanted to do. I pictured myself graduating college and going on this route,” said Colts Neck native Andree, a 6-foot-8 forward who’s a skilled catch-and-shoot threat on offense. “My dad Tim played overseas for seven or eight years. So, when I moved from Lehigh University to North Carolina State University and away from my family and friends, it was a trial run of what life would be like living on my own.”

Andree, an All-ACC Academic Team selection at N.C. State, has signed with IPZ, an alliance with Warren-based Zito Partners, as he tests the market.

John Crotty (Class of 1987) is the CBA grad that has made the biggest professional basketball impact thus far. The Colts had an 82-6 record over Crotty’s final three seasons, winning three straight South Jersey Parochial A titles and the state Parochial A crown during his sophomore campaign. As a senior, the point guard averaged 23.1 points-per-game. He went on to score 1,646 points at Virginia, where he still holds the mark for career assists, before playing 11 seasons in the NBA.

Recruiting expert Jay Gomes of njhoops.rivals.com said playing overseas will allow Andree to establish his level going forward.

“I think he has a chance to have a long career in Europe. In a few years, he may have a chance to catch on with an NBA team to get a summer league invite because he has a great skill. He can shoot the ball and shoot it from deep,” Gomes said.

Andree was a four-year player at CBA and graduated in 2016 after leading the team in scoring, rebounding and 3-pointers made during his senior season. He finished his illustrious high school career with 1,984 career points and became the school’s all-time leading scorer by breaking Bob Roma’s mark that stood for 40 years.

From there, he played in 86 games in three seasons at Lehigh, starting in 63 games, shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from 3-point range and averaging 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

His final collegiate destination was North Carolina State as a graduate transfer, and he played in 27 games, starting five of them, shot 30.2 percent from the field, including 32.6 percent from 3-point range, and averaged 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

“Pat is a terrific young man and he was a great addition to our program,” said North Carolina State head basketball coach Kevin Keatts. “He is an elite-level shooter who has an incredible knowledge of the game. He also has a strong work ethic and is a fantastic teammate. Pat’s presence will make any locker room better and I believe he has a long professional career in front of him.”

Andree said leaving Lehigh for his final year of college eligibility wasn’t easy.

“I loved Lehigh a lot. We lost in the championship game of the Patriot League tournament my freshman year and I was 72 points short of 1,000 for my career. If I had stayed, I’m sure I would have went over 1,000 career points,” Andree said. “But I wanted a different experience (to close out my college career) and playing in the ACC was a great challenge.”

Now, the next obstacle is getting on the radar of some NBA teams or overseas teams this year.

The NBA announced on May 1 that it postponed its 2020 Draft Lottery and Draft Combine, which were both scheduled to take place in May, to an undetermined date later this year. The 2020 NBA Draft was scheduled for an in-person experience for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. But with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the world right now, those plans are likely to change. The 2019-2020 NBA season has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March.

However, the professional basketball scene being put on pause hasn’t stopped Andree from his training for his goals. At minimum, he wants to get some pre-draft invites to NBA camps.

“Right now, I’m staying at home and using my backyard for my workouts,” Andree said. “There is a camp in Las Vegas (that I have my eye on). I’m looking to get in front of NBA scouts. I’m trying to get invites for workouts from my local teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks. I’m trying to get NBA G-League invites, too.”

Sherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press and has covered sports at the Jersey Shore since 2004. Contact him at schristie@gannettnj.com or @sherlonapp on Twitter.

Pat Andree, former basketball star, ready for pro basketball career leap

Sherlon Christie, Asbury Park Press Published 5:00 a.m. ET May 13, 2020
5-6 minutes
Some 40 years after Bob Roma set it, Pat Andree eclipsed his total of 1,671 career points

He’s made an impression everywhere he’s shot a basketball for a team.

From the hardwood floors at his high school alma mater of Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown, to Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, Pat Andree is ready to take the next step in his basketball career.

He’s ready to go pro.

“It is what I have wanted to do. I pictured myself graduating college and going on this route,” said Colts Neck native Andree, a 6-foot-8 forward who’s a skilled catch-and-shoot threat on offense. “My dad Tim played overseas for seven or eight years. So, when I moved from Lehigh University to North Carolina State University and away from my family and friends, it was a trial run of what life would be like living on my own.”

Andree, an All-ACC Academic Team selection at N.C. State, has signed with IPZ, an alliance with Warren-based Zito Partners, as he tests the market.

John Crotty (Class of 1987) is the CBA grad that has made the biggest professional basketball impact thus far. The Colts had an 82-6 record over Crotty’s final three seasons, winning three straight South Jersey Parochial A titles and the state Parochial A crown during his sophomore campaign. As a senior, the point guard averaged 23.1 points-per-game. He went on to score 1,646 points at Virginia, where he still holds the mark for career assists, before playing 11 seasons in the NBA.

Recruiting expert Jay Gomes of njhoops.rivals.com said playing overseas will allow Andree to establish his level going forward.

“I think he has a chance to have a long career in Europe. In a few years, he may have a chance to catch on with an NBA team to get a summer league invite because he has a great skill. He can shoot the ball and shoot it from deep,” Gomes said.

Andree was a four-year player at CBA and graduated in 2016 after leading the team in scoring, rebounding and 3-pointers made during his senior season. He finished his illustrious high school career with 1,984 career points and became the school’s all-time leading scorer by breaking Bob Roma’s mark that stood for 40 years.

From there, he played in 86 games in three seasons at Lehigh, starting in 63 games, shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from 3-point range and averaging 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

His final collegiate destination was North Carolina State as a graduate transfer, and he played in 27 games, starting five of them, shot 30.2 percent from the field, including 32.6 percent from 3-point range, and averaged 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

“Pat is a terrific young man and he was a great addition to our program,” said North Carolina State head basketball coach Kevin Keatts. “He is an elite-level shooter who has an incredible knowledge of the game. He also has a strong work ethic and is a fantastic teammate. Pat’s presence will make any locker room better and I believe he has a long professional career in front of him.”

Andree said leaving Lehigh for his final year of college eligibility wasn’t easy.

“I loved Lehigh a lot. We lost in the championship game of the Patriot League tournament my freshman year and I was 72 points short of 1,000 for my career. If I had stayed, I’m sure I would have went over 1,000 career points,” Andree said. “But I wanted a different experience (to close out my college career) and playing in the ACC was a great challenge.”

Now, the next obstacle is getting on the radar of some NBA teams or overseas teams this year.

The NBA announced on May 1 that it postponed its 2020 Draft Lottery and Draft Combine, which were both scheduled to take place in May, to an undetermined date later this year. The 2020 NBA Draft was scheduled for an in-person experience for June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. But with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the world right now, those plans are likely to change. The 2019-2020 NBA season has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March.

However, the professional basketball scene being put on pause hasn’t stopped Andree from his training for his goals. At minimum, he wants to get some pre-draft invites to NBA camps.

“Right now, I’m staying at home and using my backyard for my workouts,” Andree said. “There is a camp in Las Vegas (that I have my eye on). I’m looking to get in front of NBA scouts. I’m trying to get invites for workouts from my local teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks. I’m trying to get NBA G-League invites, too.”

Sherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press and has covered sports at the Jersey Shore since 2004. Contact him at schristie@gannettnj.com or @sherlonapp on Twitter.

Aleksei Oleinik admits he was ‘afraid’ of contracting COVID-19 during UFC 249 fight week

Despite the UFC touting its health and safety protocols for fight week in Jacksonville, Florida, Aleksei Oleinik admitted he was still ‘afraid’ of contracting COVID-19.

 

The UFC heavyweight, who defeated former champion Fabricio Werdum by unanimous decision on the UFC 249 prelims, told tass.ru afterwards that Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza’s positive test on Friday evening caused him to be concerned about potentially contracting the disease.

 

“I was afraid that I would bring this infection home. But since [Jacare’s positive test], they tested everyone, I didn’t refuse to fight. And so yes — I was afraid.”

 

Read the full story here.

UFC 249: Size of Next Opponent’s Name Most Important for Aleksei Oleinik

Longtime heavyweight Aleksei Oleinik earned arguably the biggest win of his career at UFC 249.

The 42-year-old known as “The Boa Constrictor” is a veteran of over 70 professional fights, but defeating former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum certainly has to be up there.

Oleinik (59-13-1) told media outlets including Cageside Press during a virtual post-fight press scrum following the event that “it’s one of the biggest names [of his career]. Maybe not the biggest, but one of the biggest.”

Read the full story here.

 

ETFMG Extends Sponsorship of UFC Veteran Heavyweight Alexey Oleynik

SUMMIT, N.J.May 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ETF Managers Group (ETFMG), an industry leader in bringing innovative thematic ETFs to market, has announced the extension of its headline-making partnership with powerhouse UFC heavyweight, Alexey Oleynik. The extension of this unique sponsorship comes ahead of Oleynik’s upcoming fight in UFC’s highly anticipated return to live television this Saturday, May 9, in Jacksonville, FL.

Oleynik, known to UFC fans as “The Boa Constrictor,” has been representing ETFMG’s rare marketing efforts, successfully bridging the gap between next gen investors and the financial community since March of 2019. With the extension of his contract, Oleynik will continue as a brand representative for MJ (NYSE:MJ), the U.S. first and world’s largest cannabis ETF, GAMR (NYSE:GAMR), the first video game tech ETF, along with the addition of the firm’s most recent product launch, IVES (NYSE:IVES), giving investors access to the next $1T in global cloud technology spending.

 

See the full story here.

Chris Silva Featured in Spurs and Feathers Magazine

DREAMSCAPE: Chris Silva fulfills lifelong quest, enjoys NBA rookie season with Miami Heat

Some days Chris Silva stands on the balcony of his high-rise apartment in downtown Miami and peers right, over the rollerbladers below and past American Airlines Arena. He gazes over Bayside Marina, beyond the docked cruise ships and out onto the horizon.

Somewhere in the distance lies his past, in Gabon, Africa, where he was an unknown youth with untapped potential — on the basketball court and in life — and a dream.

Read more here.

Bob Zito in ROI-NJ on How COVID-19 is Impacting Sports and Entertainment

At IPZ, diversity of clients — and sectors represented — always is on display

How Warren-based agency continues to represent athletes, entertainers from around the world during coronavirus crisis

 

The diversity of clients the agency represents is worth noting. And it’s not just having basketball, baseball and soccer stars along with mixed martial arts competitors. Or a Ukranian actress, bilingual Hispanic TV personality from Colombia and a voice-over specialist from Florida.

No, it’s the total mixture of sports and entertainment that makes Warren-based IPZ different, founder and Managing Partner Bob Zito said. And he said he wouldn’t have it any other way…

 

Read the full story here.