Press Release – Edmonton, Alberta: The Maximum Fighting Championship, Canada’s undisputed No. 1 mixed martial arts organization, returns to Edmonton, Alberta, for a spectacular night of high-octane action with a sensational lineup including a world-class title fight at MFC 31: The Rundown.
The official press conference for MFC 31 will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 at Nicholson Chevrolet – a proud sponsor of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
On Friday, October 7, the Maximum Fighting Championship unleashes MFC 31: The Rundown at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, and will air live throughout North America on HDNet – the premium U.S. cable network created by famed entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban.
At the MFC 31 Press Conference, MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich will have a special announcement regarding two major initiatives for the Maximum Fighting Championship.
MFC 31: The Rundown features one of the most hotly anticipated title fights in MFC history has Ryan “The Big Deal” Jimmo puts his light-heavyweight championship on the line against internationally renowned competitor “The African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. Both fighters are among the world’s best – Jimmo ranked No. 23 and Sokoudjou ranked No. 30, according to Fight Matrix (http://www.fightmatrix.com/mma-ranks/light-heavyweight-185-205-lbs/).
Jimmo (15-1) will be putting his title belt on the line as well as a 15-fight winning streak, the second- longest streak in all of mixed martial arts. Jimmo, who defeated Dwayne Lewis at MFC 28 to claim the championship, will have plenty of support behind him as he fights in his adopted hometown of Edmonton, Alberta.
Meanwhile, “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou (12-8), a native of Cameroon who fights out of San Diego, California, enters the MFC for the first time riding a three-fight winning streak and presents the biggest test to Jimmo’s career having already captured notable victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, and Bob Sapp.
The MFC 31 card also marks the return of the organization’s hottest prospect as Dhiego “Maluco” Lima (6-0) looks to take one more step towards a shot at the MFC welterweight title when he faces iron-tough veteran Terry Martin (21-9). Lima, who fights out of Atlanta, Georgia, and is coming off a first-round knockout finish of Jamie Toney at MFC 30, has vowed to finish Martin faster than his brother and former MFC welterweight champ Douglas Lima did at MFC 29.
A trio of exciting lightweight fights will anchor the MFC 31 card including the most anticipated clash pitting devastating striker Richie “Hell Boy” Whitson (11-1) against electrifying “Ragin” Kajan Johnson (18-11-1). Whitson, who fights out of Temecula, California, returns to the MFC following his Fight of the Year epic at MFC 28, and he hopes a victory at MFC 31 while propel him to the top of the contender list for the MFC’s 155-pound division title. Johnson, who is from Vancouver, B.C., has designs on the title, too, and needs a big win over Whitson to stake his claim.
In another lightweight tussle, crowd favorite Curtis “The Demon” Demarce (11-9) squares off against organizational newcomer and former U.S. Marine Adam Lynn (16-8). Demarce, originally from Brandon, Manitoba, and now training out of San Diego, California, is already a two-time contender for 2011 MFC Fight of the Year. Lynn, who hails from San Clemente, California, comes into his first test in the MFC a winner in five straight.
Rounding out the battle of the lightweights is a showdown between two exciting up-and-comers with blossoming sensation Sabah Fadai (7-1) taking on hometown young star Mukai Maromo (5-2). Fadai, “The Persian Warrior” who is from Vancouver, B.C., joins the MFC following an undefeated run of success fighting in Asia, while Maromo, who now makes Edmonton, Alberta, home is coming off a Knockout of the Night effort at MFC 30.
Opening up the action on the HDNet Fights broadcast will be a welterweight bout between Cody Krahn (10-4) and Ryan Chiappe (8-6). Krahn, an Edmonton, Alberta, native, will be out to avenge a loss suffered at MFC 30. Chiappe, who is originally from Prince George, B.C., makes his organizational debut with six career knockouts and has been the winner in four of his last five fights.
Three undercard bouts, featuring home-town fighters, complete the lineup for MFC 31: The Rundown:
*Welterweight – Dajan Kajic, Vancouver, B.C. vs. Mike Froese, Edmonton, Alberta
*Lightweight – James Haddad, Calgary, Alberta vs. Garret Nybakken, Edmonton, Alberta
*Lightweight – Dan Ring, Vancouver, B.C. vs. Neal Anderson, Edmonton, Alberta
*Press Conference*
Wednesday, October 5
2 p.m.
Nicholson Chevrolet
7215 Argyll Road
Speakers will include:
Mark Pavelich – Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President
• Ryan Jimmo – Reigning champ defending light-heavyweight title
• Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou – Contender for light-heavyweight championship
• Dhiego Lima – Undefeated welterweight prospect
• Terry Martin – Veteran striker vying for upset
• Lightweight title contenders Richie Whitson, Kajan Johnson, Mukai Maromo and Sabah Fadai
* Media members can pick up their accreditation for MFC 31 at the press conference.
Thursday, October 6
12:30 p.m.
Mayfield Dinner Theatre – Mayfield Inn
All fighters will be on the scale and available for interviews and photos.
Friday, October 7
6:15 p.m.
Mayfield Conference Centre
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with undercard bouts starting at 6:15 p.m. The televised card begins at 8 p.m.
* Television media requiring highlights should contact HDNet Fights producer Christopher Markwell at
303-218-8969.