At a press conference in Toronto, Ontario Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White announced Tuesday morning that the UFC would be heading to that city at the end of April.
The event, UFC 131, will mark the promotions debut in the Canadian province since the Ontario government legalized mixed martial arts last August.
UFC 131 […]
At a press conference in Toronto, Ontario Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White announced Tuesday morning that the UFC would be heading to that city at the end of April.
The event, UFC 131, will mark the promotions debut in the Canadian province since the Ontario government legalized mixed martial arts last August.
UFC 131 will take place on April 30th at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, that same weekend will also feature a UFC Fan Expo at the Direct Energy Centre from April 29-30.
“Canadians have repeatedly shown how much they love the UFC,” White said in a statement. “Fans in Ontario have patiently waited, and it will pay off, as this one will go down in the history books come April 30. I’m very excited..Toronto is going to break the record and host the biggest mixed martial arts event ever in North America.”
The Rogers Centre, located in downtown Toronto, has a seating capacity of approx. 69,000 and should draw a massive number of fans to the event.
Tickets for the event are expected to go on sale in January for the Toronto event.
The Maximum Fighting Championship president/owner Mark Pavelich has spoken out recently about some of the business practices of rival Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The issue at hand is the way the UFC handles contracts with clothing sponsors by dictating to these companies who they can, and cannot do business with.
It’s almost comical – not on his part […]
The Maximum Fighting Championship president/owner Mark Pavelich has spoken out recently about some of the business practices of rival Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The issue at hand is the way the UFC handles contracts with clothing sponsors by dictating to these companies who they can, and cannot do business with.
It’s almost comical – not on his part but on the part of these clothing companies. They cave in and pay his organization a great deal of money just to have the opportunity to sponsor fighters, who they then pay an individual fee to as well. What these clothing brands fail to understand is that the entire organization that “DW” runs is sponsored by a competing clothing company.
These other brands are paying to represent themselves, yet they will never get the brand recognition they are seeking since the company itself has what would be considered a title sponsorship with another clothing brand – probably the most-recognizable brand in the industry. You are competing in an uphill battle that you can never win.
Now “DW” has instructed these other clothing brands that they have to stop sponsoring other MMA events or they will not be allowed to sponsor fighters in his event – even after fully paying him for the right to sponsor and paying the fighters individually. He is collecting money by the armored truck full from these companies, and yet he’s still able to tell them where to spend the rest of their money at the same time. Has he or anyone in his company ever heard of something called “restraint of trade?”
Maybe a good example of this would be from this past summer when TapouT was set to sponsor Fedor Emelianenko in his fight against Fabricio Werdum. Pictures of the T-shirt were already posted but pressure from the UFC forced the company to pull their support at the last minute.
What’s your opinion? The UFC is the top dog in the mma world but does it give them the right to dictate who companies sponsor?
Press Release
TORONTO – UFC® President Dana White along with London, Ontario native and UFC lightweight fighter Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout and Toronto-resident and UFC welterweight fighter Claude “The Prince” Patrick are hitting Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 7 for a public Q&A session and autograph signing to get fans geared up for UFC 124®: St-Pierre […]
Press Release
TORONTO – UFC® President Dana White along with London, Ontario native and UFC lightweight fighter Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout and Toronto-resident and UFC welterweight fighter Claude “The Prince” Patrick are hitting Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 7 for a public Q&A session and autograph signing to get fans geared up for UFC 124®: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck, taking place in Montreal on Dec. 11.
UFC fans are invited to attend this FREE event at Real Sports Bar & Grill within Maple Leaf Square, located at 15 York Street. Dana White will take questions from fans from 3-4 p.m., while Canadian fighters Stout and Patrick will sign autographs from 4-6 p.m. at Real Sports Apparel.
WHEN (*all times EST)
3 to 4 p.m. – Q&A session with Dana White, Tom Wright and fans at Real Sports Bar & Grill
4 to 6 p.m. – Autograph signing session with Sam Stout and Claude Patrick at Real Sports Apparel
WHERE:
Real Sports Bar & Grill and Real Sports Apparel Maple Leaf Square
15 York Street, Unit A
Toronto, Ont.
WHO:
UFC talent and representatives in attendance include:
• DANA WHITE – UFC President
• TOM WRIGHT – UFC Director of Canadian Operations
• SAM STOUT – UFC Fighter
• CLAUDE PATRICK – UFC Fighter
BACKGROUND:
UFC 124: ST-PIERRE VS. KOSCHECK takes place Saturday, Dec. 11 live from Montreal as two-time UFC® welterweight champion and Montreal native Georges St-Pierre goes home to once again face his most heated rival and No. 1 contender Josh Koscheck. UFC 124 will be available live on Pay-Per-View on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $49.99 CAN for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available).
Press Release
S.L. Feldman & Associates (SLFA) announces a new partnership with the Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), one of the fastest rising mixed martial arts organizations in all of North America.
Over the past two years, the MFC has made amazing strides including repeat sold out live events, and the signing of multi-fight broadcast deals with HDNet, […]
Press Release
S.L. Feldman & Associates (SLFA) announces a new partnership with the Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), one of the fastest rising mixed martial arts organizations in all of North America.
Over the past two years, the MFC has made amazing strides including repeat sold out live events, and the signing of multi-fight broadcast deals with HDNet, the U.S.-based cable network created by famed entrepreneur Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The partnership with HDNet makes the Maximum Fighting Championship the only Canadian-based mixed martial arts organization with a live television deal.
The partnership between Feldman and the MFC is bound to bring in a wealth of new opportunities in the future.
“I’m very enthused and optimistic about the partnership with S.L Feldman & Associates”, says Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of MFC. “They bring decades of experience in live events, talent development, marketing and sponsorships to the table and that coupled with the explosive MFC business we envision an extremely successful collaboration.”
Jeff Craib, Senior Vice President at Feldman states, “We’re all very excited for this new joint venture with Mark. The MFC is flourishing, and our collective goal will be to continue to make inroads into further expanding the MFC business and its excellent and growing stable of world class fighters. Justin Sudds, Sr. Agent at Feldman states, “As SLFA continues to expand into many new areas of live entertainment, we’re thrilled to be working with Mark and his strong MFC business.”
S.L. Feldman & Associates (SLFA) is a leading full-service entertainment agency. With over 35 years of experience in artist representation, event services and corporate consulting. Feldman’s core business is talent representation, and its artist roster encompasses a wide array of internationally successful concert attractions as well as critically acclaimed up-and-coming talent. A team of 70-plus agents and staff work out of offices based in Vancouver and Toronto.
Feldman and Associates boasts an outstanding lineup of talent under its representation, such as The Tragically Hip and Hedley (see roster at www.slfa.com). The Maximum Fighting Championship is the first and only mixed martial arts organization working in partnership with Feldman and Associates.
Pavelich is not just a business owner, but also a pioneer in the world of mixed martial arts. The Maximum Fighting Championship was the first organization in Canada to host fully sanctioned shows outside of Quebec, and through his leadership the MFC is one of the very few mixed martial arts organizations to become a profitable business venture that is fully supported by corporate sponsors. Pavelich put all of his education and expertise into a concentrated effort resulting in the formation of the MFC brand.
The Maximum Fighting Championship currently headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with a second office opening in Ontario in early 2011.
Press Release
Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud on January 28th
After a successful event in Afghanistan, Wreck MMA will be returning home to Gatineau/Ottawa for its next event entitled Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud. The January 28th event, at the Casino de Lac-Leamy, will feature two UFC veterans and the top talent from the region.
Brought to you […]
Press Release
Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud on January 28th
After a successful event in Afghanistan, Wreck MMA will be returning home to Gatineau/Ottawa for its next event entitled Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud. The January 28th event, at the Casino de Lac-Leamy, will feature two UFC veterans and the top talent from the region.
Brought to you by GumDocs.com, the January 28th event at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, will be headlined by a UFC veteran facing one of the most popular and talented fighters from Ottawa. Alberta’s own Jason ‘Dooms’ Day will be facing FIT MMA’s Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown in a fight between a pair of Canada’s top middleweights. Day is looking to get on a winning streak and make it back to the UFC and Brown is looking to take that next step and follow in the footsteps of other Wreck fighters and compete on the world’s biggest stage. Both fighters leave everything in the cage and the winners of this bout are the fans who will be seeing one of the biggest fights in the region’s history!
In the co-main event, the first Ottawa fighter to compete in the UFC, returns home to showcase his skills in front of his home fans. Mark ‘Boots’ Holst returns to the Wreck cage following a stint in the UFC and this time he will take on one of the bad boys of MMA, Markhaile ‘Showtime’ Wedderburn. This feud has been brewing for a long time and the time has come to settle the score, once and for all. Either than personal satisfaction, this fight is important to both men as Holst is looking to get back to the UFC as quickly as possible and Wedderburn believes he can make a statement by beating a UFC veteran. The two muay-thai specialists are expected to go toe-to-toe as neither wants to leave any doubt on who is victorious.
In a battle between two accomplished welterweights, Nathan ‘Gunner’ Gunn will be making his Wreck debut against local talent Louis ‘The Joker’ Carle. Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan will step into the cage against the exciting Speedy Gym product Dimitri Waardenburg; who despite his young age has a ton of MMA experience. Also on the card is a fight between two young up-and-coming lightweights with Rory McDonell facing London’s Jesse ‘The Body Snatcher’ Ronson.
A mainstay at all Wreck MMA events as the master of ceremonies, Robin Black will now be making his much anticipated Wreck debut at Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud. Black, the well known fighter, color commentator and Fight Network Analyst is prepared to face an undefeated prospect; Rockland’s Mike Reilly. When the possibility of fighting Black was brought to them, Reilly and his coaches jumped at the opportunity. Black’s goal will be to make Reilly regret that decision and come away with a victory, in what is rumored to be Black’s final MMA fight.
Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud is stacked from top to bottom with some of Canada’s most talented fighters. Scheduled to appear on the card are Stephane Bernadel, Ronin MMA’s Mustafa ‘Mufasa’ Khalil, Jeff Harrison, Peter Montrait, Aika Mateka, Jeffrey Laughren and many others!
Tickets for this star studded event, which is brought to you by GumDocs.com are available at TICKETMASTER.CA or by calling (613) 755-1111. Buy your tickets now to assure yourself a spot for the one show you do not want to miss!! Join us for ‘Military Awareness Night’ where all members of the military will receive 10% off any tickets! Please email [email protected] for details and to receive your discount!
WRECK MMA: STRONG AND PROUD
Date: JANUARY 28th, 2011
Venue: HILTON LAC LEAMY
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC
MAIN EVENT
Jason ‘Dooms’ Day (BDB Martial Arts, Calgary) vs. Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
CO-MAIN EVENT
Markhaile ‘Showtime’ Wedderburn (Team Sufferaz, Toronto) vs. Mark ‘Boots’ Holst (OAMA, Ottawa)
Nathan ‘Gunner’ Gunn (Leading Edge Gym, Thunder Bay) vs. Louis ‘The Joker’ Carle (FIT MMA/Tristar, Ottawa)
Dimitri Waardenburg (Speedy Gym, Granby) vs. Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan (OAMA, Ottawa)
Mike Reilly (Bluewater Martial Arts, Rockland) vs. Robin Black (Billy Martin Boxing/MECCA/Xtreme Couture, Toronto)
Rory McDonell (Pura BJJ/Evolution Martial Arts, Hamilton) vs. Jesse ‘The Body Snatcher’ Ronson (Round One, Cambridge)
Amer Hussein (Bruckmann’s MMA, Oshawa) vs. Mustafa ‘Mufasa’ Khalil (Ronin MMA, Ottawa)
Vito Attanasi (Boreland Combat Team, Georgetown) vs. Jeff Harrison (OAMA, Ottawa)
Brett Biederman (Elite Combat, Brantford) vs. Jeffrey Laughren (RAMA, Rockland)
Aika Mateka (Team Tugboat, Belgium) vs. Peter Montrait (Mecca, Toronto)
Christopher St-Jean (Sudbury MMA, Sudbury) vs. Marc Lefebvre (RAMA, Rockland)
TBA vs. Stephane Bernadel (OAMA, Ottawa)
TBA vs. Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
TBA vs. Wes Ranger (Florin’s MMA, Kanata)
Press Release
A look backward and forward in the aftermath of MFC 27
Leading up to MFC shows over the past few years, The Z-Files takes an in-depth look at the card, the fighters themselves, and the ramifications of each bout, all leading to the Top 10 Questions.
And in the past year, following each show The Z-Files […]
Press Release
A look backward and forward in the aftermath of MFC 27
Leading up to MFC shows over the past few years, The Z-Files takes an in-depth look at the card, the fighters themselves, and the ramifications of each bout, all leading to the Top 10 Questions.
And in the past year, following each show The Z-Files has expanded its review and added in a rundown of notes, quotes, and fallout. These are not necessarily answers to the Top 10 Questions that were posed coming into the event, but some insight into what happened and what’s in store in the future based upon the results.
So coming out of MFC 27:
Douglas Lima already ranks up there with Patrick Cote as the classiest MFC champion. Not only is Lima an immense talent, but he has the charisma factor going for him in a big way – an element that Cote brought to a title reign unlike any other champion that followed.
And at just 22, Lima is only going to further master the entertainment aspects (pre-fight hype interviews, etc.) as time goes by. Who Lima faces next in his first title defense is open for debate right now but he is the kind of fighter who could truly be a great representative to the organization with a healthy run at the top.
Cote was first-class all the way while holding the MFC middleweight belt and could easily slide into a role as an ambassador for the sport or top organization representative once his fighting days are done.
It sure doesn’t hurt that Lima has quite a pack surrounding him. His brother Dhiego looked fantastic in his promotional debut at MFC 27.
While Douglas’s strength is his outstanding jiu-jitsu skills, it appears as though little (though not smaller) brother has a knack for the stand-up game as he flashed a one-punch knockout in the face of sturdy Bill Fraser.
Anchoring both their corners was well-accomplished veteran Roan Carneiro, who stepped to the forefront of the Lima-Jesse Juarez, ATT Atlanta vs. Team Body Shop online battle, and could very well take it to the next level if a deal is put in place for “Jucao” to square-off against “The Kansas City Bandit” Jason High.
The home-town crowd wants it, and it may very well be in the works, but a rematch between Ryan Ford and new welterweight champion Douglas Lima shouldn’t be up next for either fighter. Lima is likely to face a seasoned challenger in his next outing.
Ford, meanwhile, needs to put at least one more win together before forcing the issue on a second tilt with Lima, who dominated their first clash en route to a second-round submission win. Ford looked good at MFC 27, but not to the point of deserving a third chance at the MFC crown. Let’s not forget this is the guy who lost twice to smallish welterweight Pat Healy, including the inaugural MFC 170-pound title fight, and then was beaten by Lima.
And at while he did pick up the win at MFC 27, Ford clearly lost Round 1 to Pete Spratt before moving on to the win over the aging warrior. Ford is a top contender, but not the No. 1 man yet.
Much has been made about the lackluster showings of David Heath and Dwayne Lewis at MFC 27. Both were far below expectations and need to regroup fast as they are both likely ticketed for returns at MFC 28 in early 2011.
The matchup for Heath could come against Tom Watson – both are coming off disappointments and need to re-fire their engines to stay in the mix.
What fate lies ahead for Lewis is up in the air. He could possibly get Rodney Wallace, the late replacement who outpointed Heath, or Wallace could wind up against Razak Al-Hassan, who wasn’t given the nod by the judges but arguably dodged past Lewis in the close split-decision outcome. Lewis could also get a crack at Glover Teixeira if his travel visa issues are sorted out, and if the Brazilian doesn’t ultimately get his much-anticipated showdown with Ryan Jimmo. Much of that sorting out in the light heavyweight ranks will come down to whether the Jimmo-Teixeira bout comes off.
Kajan Johnson calling out for a title shot is a premature move on the part of the exciting lightweight. While he may now be on the right path thanks to a new training regimen, Johnson needs to get on a serious winning run before declaring he’s worthy of a run at the belt.
Let’s not forget that he is merely 2-1 in his last three fights, and while he dominated in both victories, the loss sticks out like a sore thumb. Johnson needs to put at least two more wins together, boast a three-fight streak, and then call for his shot.
Looking forward to seeing early in early 2011:
Curtis Demarce, to see where he stacks up against a top-tier lightweight
A Knockout of the Year contender in David Heath vs. Tom Watson
Maybe one last hurrah from Pete Spratt
A return from Thales Leites
A clear-headed, eager-to-fight Ryan Jimmo
The first title defense of Douglas Lima with a opening act from brother Dhiego
At a press conference in Toronto, Ontario Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White announced Tuesday morning that the UFC would be heading to that city at the end of April.
