Straight from the script of “Warrior,” or the playbook of the Shamrocks, the Canadian-based Maximum Fighting Championship has set up a match between brothers.
At the May 10 event in Edmonton, Alberta, heavyweights Thomas and Mike Treadwell will battle on the preliminary card. While MFC declared it a first in the history of any “major mixed martial arts promotion,” a brother vs. brother bout has been previously seen one at least one level of MMA.
In December 2010, Jeremiah Castillo fought Angel Castillo at an Evolution Combat Sports Championship event in New Mexico. Jeremiah scraped out a split-decision.
The fight between the Treadwells will be the pro debuts for both.
Mike, who is 30 years old, is 10 years the elder. And apparently, the family is picking sides. According to the press release, another brother, Russ, will corner Thomas. One can only imagine how this will affect future family gatherings.
“Dad was angry and thinks we’re idiots. Mom knows but we don’t talk about it with her. Everyone else seems supportive,” Thomas said in the release.
Ken and Frank Shamrock, who were adoptive brothers, spoke often about the possibility of fighting each other, but a bout between them never materialized. Brother duos are a staple of the sport, and pairs including the Nogueiras, the Ruas, the Emelianenkos and the Diaz brothers are major names in the sport. Because most teammates refuse to fight each other, the prospect of brothers fighting is even rarer.
“Absolutely, undeniably, one of the craziest and most anticipated fights in MFC history,” said Mark Pavelich, the promotion’s owner and president.