Press Release – (April 24, 2012) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – The Maximum Fighting Championship is resurrecting a heavyweight division, and there’s bigger way to do it than by signing world-ranked and Canada’s top big man Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague.
Hague (13-5) has agreed to a multi-fight, exclusive deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship that will launch with a bout in the semi-main event of MFC 34: Brute Force on Friday, August 10 in his home town of Edmonton, Alberta.
“I’m really excited about signing with the MFC,” said Hague. “There’s no question that the MFC is the leader in Canadian mixed martial arts, and it has a great knack for getting big attention for its events and its fighters. That’s one thing in my career that has been lacking wherever I’ve been before.
“And the production values of the MFC shows are second only to the UFC, and I’m very excited to be a part of that.”
Hague has won three of his last four fights, and boasts seven career victories by way of knockout with four wins coming via submission. Of his 13 win, seven have come inside the first round including his most celebrated win to date – a first-round tapout via guillotine choke against Pat Barry. With verdicts over Travis Wiuff, Sherman Pendergarst, and Ruben Villareal on his resume, Hague is a great fit to restart the MFC’s heavyweight ranks.
“This is a great match – we’re eager to bring in new talent with great pedigrees, and Tim wants to fight on the biggest stage possible,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
“It’s true that Tim and I have had our differences in the past, but that has all been pushed aside in order for us to work together. Tim is excited to be a big part of the MFC, and I’m very pleased to have him on board.”
Hague, a former elementary school teacher, plans on making something big happen at this stage in his career, and the 28-year-old is evolving his strategy to move forward.
“I’ve realized that I’m not a kickboxer, but I’m a boxer with decent jiu-jitsu,” he explained. “It doesn’t bother me to fight a kickboxer because I’m going to push forward and connect with my hands.
“I’m not going to look for the takedown. I’d rather stand and let my hands go and make it an exciting fight for the fans.”
Perhaps the most important decision Hague has made of late is to re-unite with highly regarded strength and conditioning coach Shara Vigeant.
“When I’m in great shape, I’m a nightmare for anybody,” touted Hague. “If I’d have been in better shape I’m confident I would have won the fights against Chris Tuchscherer and Joey Beltran. But I’ve learned that I have to be true to myself, listen to myself, and being with Shara is the best thing for that.”
So MFC fans will be the first to get a glimpse at perhaps the best Tim Hague there’s ever been.
“I’m very excited about this opportunity and to fight in Edmonton again in front of new fans in the MFC and all my current fans is really great,” added Hague.
“My suggestion is when they come to catch me fight, don’t blink because the fight could end at any second.”
The Maximum Fighting Championship dropped its heavyweight division in 2009, and had one former champion in Scott “Punk Haole” Junk.