LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Apr 3, 2012) - Today, Respect Your Universe, Inc. (RYU) (OTCBB: [ RYUN ]), [ http://www.ryu.com/ ], is pleased to announce that current Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren will be representing RYU at the upcoming Bellator 64 on Friday, April 6^th, where Askren will take on Douglas Lima as the Main Card event for the Welterweight Championship Title.

Airing live on MTV2 (and in HD on EPIX) at 8:00 p.m. EDT, Askren has a 9-0-0 MMA win/loss/draw record, is a former amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri and was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team at the 2008 Summer Olympics Athens. At the University of Missouri, Askren was a two-time NCAA Division I National Champion in 2006 and 2007, a two-time NCAA Division I National Finalist in 2004 and 2005 and received NCAA Division I All-American Awards from 2004-2007.

Following his collegiate career, Askren was the USA Senior Freestyle National Champion in 2008, the Senior Freestyle Olympic Team Trials Winner in 2008 and in 2012 was inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. Askren made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and became the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Winner in 2010.

"His undefeated MMA track record and past wrestling history accolades has proven he is a relentless warrior that doesn't give up," said Rocky Bice, Brand Ambassador, for RYU. "With Ben also being from Missouri, I have been following his accomplishments for a long time and was excited about the opportunity for RYU to support him at Bellator 64 where he looks to defend his Welterweight Champion title."

At the upcoming Bellator 64, Askren is looking to defend his Welterweight Champion title against Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Winner Douglas Lima which will take place at the Caesars in Windsor, Canada.

"The quality of RYU's apparel is like no other I have ever trained and competed in before and I am looking forward to wearing it when I defend my Welterweight title at Bellator 64," said Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren. "I am confident the RYU apparel will allow me to compete at the highest level."

For the Bellator 64 weigh-ins, Askren will be wearing various items from RYU's debut Men's Spring Line including the White Age of RYU Hoodie, the Grey Icon Fleece Pants and Tanto Compression Shorts with the corners wearing the Spirit of Combat Tee and Black RYU Cage Cap. On the Friday night fight night, Askren will rock the RYU Black Signature Tee in his walkout with the corners sporting the Red Signature Tee and Black RYU Signature Hat.

Built for Athletes, Suited for Style, RYU's debut men's premium performance line embodies the art of the sport and places emphasis on respect, strength, honor and sustainability as the foundation of their apparel and products. All of the apparel items and products have been produced from organic and/or recycled materials utilizing some of the best yarn and fabric suppliers in the world while achieving the performance attributes desired by Mixed Martial Arts fighters and the true everyday athlete.

For more information on RYU visit [ http://www.ryu.com ] or call +1-888-455-6183 ext. 101.

*Warrior Ethic
It is essential to keep the spirit of the warrior in mind twenty-four hours a day, whether walking, standing still, sitting down or reclining. Never forget it.

About Respect Your Universe
Respect Your Universe, Inc. (OTCBB: [ RYUN ]) is a premium performance apparel and equipment company rooted in and inspired by Mixed Martial Arts. Focused on the needs of the athlete, RYU brings innovative design, development and production of premium authentic performance gear with style to mixed martial artists and athlete enthusiasts worldwide. The RYU brand is based on respect, strength, honor and sustainability.

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Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," "plans," "hopes," "estimates," "projects" or "intends," or stating that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, our branding and endorsement initiatives, the results of our athlete spokespersons, the actual results of sales and designs of our apparel, the MMA industry and market, the apparel industry and market, the availability of capital to fund our business plan and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, and product manufacturing and sourcing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.