Tag: Maximum Fighting Championship

Press Release – October 11, 2012 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – The Maximum Fighting Championship, Canada’s reigning king of mixed martial arts, is excited to announce that a number of its dates for the 2013 schedule are set with a return to one of the MFC’s favorite host venues.

Starting in February 2013, the MFC proudly ventures into Edmonton’s superb Shaw Conference Centre, located in the heart of the city’s downtown core. The Maximum Fighting Championship has slated four shows for Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Centre:

*MFC 36: Reality Check – Friday, February 15

*MFC 37: True Grit – Friday, May 10

*MFC 38: Behind Enemy Lines – Friday, October 4

*MFC 39: Outrage – TBA December

“We are tremendously excited about returning to what I consider to be the place where the MFC really began its upswing in prominence – our original home and the best venue in the City of Edmonton,” said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“There are countless thrilling moments and a ton of great memories from our events at the Shaw, and I am very positive there will be a mountain more to come.

“We’re designing a great floor plan that will really accentuate our VIP and Row 1-3 tickets, and then have tiered seating for better vantage points throughout. With our production talents creating a great atmosphere plus the top-notch staff at the Shaw, the live experience for the Maximum Fighting Championship will be better than ever.”

The Maximum Fighting Championship thrilled fans with MFC’s 8, 9, 10 and 11 at the Shaw Conference Centre, dating from September 2005 through February 2007. Those four events were some of the biggest and best in MFC history, and featured many of the organization’s original stars including Jason MacDonald, Patrick Cote, Fabio Holanda, and Ryan McGillivray.

Following its run at the Shaw, the MFC held 16 of its next 17 events at the River Cree Resort & Casino, and then held shows at the Edmonton Expo Centre and The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Ontario. The Mayfield Conference Centre was the home base for MFC 30 to 35. That facility is now being torn down as part of multi-million dollar renovations and re-branding.

Opened in 1983, the Shaw Conference Centre has established itself as one of Canada’s premier meeting, entertainment, and convention venues. The SCC has won recognition for its architecture, cuisine, and environmental stewardship.

The SCC hosts approximately 650 events and attracts over half a million attendees per year. Among some of the biggest events in the history of the Shaw Conference Centre include concerts by the Tragically Hip, Marilyn Manson, Stone Temple Pilots, Deadmau5, and Tiesto.

The Maximum Fighting Championship’s History at the Shaw Conference Centre

MFC 8: Resurrection – September 9/05

*Victor Valimaki bursts onto Canadian scene with unanimous decision win over the legendary Dan Severn

*Jason MacDonald picks up 11th career win with a second-round submission of Chris Fontaine

MFC 9: No Excuses – March 10/06

*Patrick Cote claims MFC world middleweight title with a fifth-round submission over Jason MacDonald in arguably the greatest fight in MFC history

*Canadian Football League Grey Cup Game MVP Mike Maurer makes his MMA debut and earns first-round TKO win

MFC 10: Unfinished Business – September 8/06

*Victor Valimaki claims the MFC world light-heavyweight title by submitting Jason Day in the opening round

*Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Fabio Holanda showcases his talents with first-round submission

MFC 11: Gridiron – February 3/07

*Canadian Football League stars Adam Braidwood and Mike Maurer both take part in the action. Braidwood hands Ryan Jimmo what is still the only loss of his career with a first-round TKO, while Maurer is dealt a shocking knockout loss by future MFC champ Roger Hollett

*Victor Valimaki defends his MFC world light-heavyweight title with a come-from-behind first-round knockout win over Jared Kilkenny

Press Release – October 8, 2012 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – The Maximum Fighting Championship will be hosting a special combined media availability and open training session to introduce several of the main-card fighters featured at MFC 35: Explosive Encounter.

The media availability and training session will take place on Wednesday, October 24 at 3 p.m. inside the Mayfield Conference Centre. Fighters will be available for one-on-one interviews as well as for video and still photographs while participating in a light workout inside the MFC ring.

MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich will also be on hand to meet with the media and discuss MFC 35: Explosive Encounter which will go down on Friday, October 26 at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

MFC 35: Explosive Encounter will air live on AXS TV (formerly HDNet) throughout the United States beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation). MFC 35 will then be showcased on a tape-delay basis on TSN2 at a later date.

The main event of MFC 35 will be a clash for the MFC’s world middleweight title as feared striker Elvis “The King” Mutapcic (11-2) takes on unbeaten standout Joseph “Leonidas” Henle (8-0-1).

Mutapcic made a spectacular debut in the Maximum Fighting Championship by scoring a quick first-round TKO victory over Jacen Flynn at MFC 34 back in August. But Henle was just as impressive on the same night when he too scored a TKO victory inside the opening round by taking out Luke Harris.

Originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia, and now fighting out of Des Moines, Iowa, Mutapcic will ride a three-fight winning streak into his title shot with a career record bolstered by four knockouts and six submissions. Henle, who fights out of Thousand Oaks, California, is a former reality show competitor coached by MMA icon Chuck Liddell, and boasts two knockouts and four submissions amongst his eight victories.

This will be the MFC’s first middleweight title fight since 2006 when Patrick “The Predator” Cote was crowned as the organization’s inaugural champ in any weight class.

Leading up to the main event will be the frenetic-paced unveiling of the MFC’s featherweight division as Graham Spencer (8-1, 1 NC) takes on Hawaiian sensation “Sugar” Shane Nelson (15-6). As well as being the first televised featherweight fight in MFC history, the bout will also mark the organizational debuts for both competitors.

Spencer, who fights out of Vancouver, B.C., has notched three straight victories including four via submission, and holds his most notable over current MFC lightweight title hopeful Mukai Maromo. Nelson is a training partner of BJ Penn and trains at the legendary mixed martial artist’s gym in Hilo, Hawaii. Nelson has won three of his last four fights and has earned past victories over notables Aaron Riley, George Roop, and Kolo Koka.

Two of the best young Canadian prospects in the heavyweight division will battle at MFC 35 when Smeahlino Rama clashes with Ryan “The Vanilla Gorilla” Fortin.

Rama (4-0), who is originally from Albania and now fights out Calgary, Alberta, showed he’s ready for a step up following his win at MFC 34. Fortin (6-3), who fights out of Fort St. John, B.C., has dominated past competition in the MFC’s feeder system, Heat XC, and boasts a victory over Hall of Famer Dan Severn.

In a much-anticipated rematch of their punch-for-punch brawl at MFC 33, Jared “The Yeti” McComb will take on Derek “The Lion” Parker in a middleweight tussle. Both fighters sport identical 4-1-1 records with McComb, who will again have home-town advantage fighting in Edmonton, Alberta, unbeaten in his last five outings. Parker is a former minor-pro hockey enforcer who now trains mixed martial arts full-time in his home town of Regina, Saskatchewan.

A welterweight matchup is also on the MFC main card as Sabah Fadai (7-2, 1 NC), co-winner of the MFC’s 2011 Fight of the Year, moves up from the lightweight ranks to meet durable veteran Cody “Genghis” Krahn (11-5). Fadai, who now lives in Vancouver, B.C., after competing early in his career in Philippines and Singapore, will be out for his long-awaited first MFC victory, while Krahn will look to rebound from his setback to Jason Zentgraf at MFC 34 and build on his eight submission victories.

The six-fight main card kicks off with a light-heavyweight battle pitting fan favorites Jason “The Show” Kuchera against Paul “The Punisher” Grandbois, who both now reside in Edmonton, Alberta.

A three-fight undercard, featuring MFC prospects Jose Rodriguez, Matt Jelly, and Chase Degenhardt, will get the night started prior to the live TV broadcast.

Schedule of Events for

MFC 35: Explosive Encounter

*Media Availability/Open Training Session*

Wednesday, October 24

3 p.m.

Mayfield Conference Centre

Those in attendance will include:

Mark Pavelich – Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President

Elvis Mutapcic and Joseph Henle – Fighting for MFC world middleweight title

Graham Spencer and Shane Nelson – First matchup in MFC’s new featherweight division

Smeahlino Rama and Ryan Fortin – Canada’s top two heavyweight prospects

Main card fighters Derek Parker, Jared McComb, Sabah Fadai, and Cody Krahn

*Media members can pick up their accreditation for MFC 35 at the open workout.

*Weigh-In*

Thursday, October 25

12:30 p.m.

Lobby Courtyard

Mayfield Inn & Suites

*All fighters will be on the scale and available for interviews and photos.

*Fight Night*

Friday, October 26

Mayfield Conference Centre

*Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with undercard bouts starting at 6:30 p.m. The televised card begins at 8 p.m.

MARK PAVELICH AND STREET SOILDER APPAREL MAKE PERFECT FIT
Canadian Clothing Company Now Sponsoring MFC Promoter

Press Release – Street Soldier Apparel has entered an agreement to sponsor Mark Pavelich, the owner of the Maximum Fighting Championship. The deal is unlike most sponsorship agreements in mixed martial arts because it puts the brand on the promoter himself. For Pavelich and Street Soldier owner Jack Rego, joining forces makes perfect sense – it brings together two Canadian companies with a shared spirit of survival and success.

Street Soldier Apparel is a clothing brand known for its authentically tidy design and feel. Rego confirms he builds the brand’s clean-cut look intentionally, “We’re trying to build brand recognition. If it starts getting lost with [too many] designs and looks, it defeats the purpose. For now, I’m trying to keep it clean.” For Street Soldier, it’s not only about being recognized, it’s about working hard for that recognition. With images of dog tags and slogans like “Believe in the Underdog,” Street Soldier is a brand built for those willing to work and go to war. Enter Mark Pavelich.

Pavelich has worked incredibly hard to build the MFC into one of the most successful MMA promotions in the world. He faced the challenge of running an MMA promotion long before the sport realized mainstream popularity. His dedication and work ethic personify the Street Soldier image, and he welcomed the opportunity to support it in a recent interview. “It’s a real honour to make this deal with Street Soldier.” says Pavelich, “I wouldn’t wear the brand if I didn’t believe in the brand and respect what it stands for.”

With the announcement of the sponsorship, Rego reinforced the reasoning behind his decision to sponsor Pavelich: “I try to align myself with people who have the drive and the will to be the best.” Rego also realizes the exposure opportunity Pavelich brings with his significant online presence: “We’re in the age of social media, and [Pavelich] is a great spokesman and entertainer on Facebook, Twitter, and Tout. We can combine our efforts with @strtsoldier, @MarkPavelich, and www.strtsoldier.com.”

According to Rego, fans can expect to see MMA’s popular and polarizing personality rocking the Street Soldier brand in the near future. Rego also confirmed MFC fighter Joseph Henle will be sponsored as he heads into his middleweight title fight at MFC 35.

Moving into this new era for Street Soldier, Rego is grateful to those who’ve supported him to this point: “I want to thank each and every person who has purchased a stitch of clothing from Street Soldier. Without the fans and the fighters, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’m a firm believer in karma. If you give out to others, you get it back tenfold.”

Press Release – 18 September 2012 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – Always an organization at the forefront of change and new ideas, the Maximum Fighting Championship is pleased to announce and confirm three key new procedures.

The most significant new procedure revolves around regulations for title belt matchups and how they relate to weigh-ins. No longer is a title fight immediately relegated to non-title status if one of the fighters fails to make weight.

Listed below are the newly adopted criteria:

Title Fight with a reigning/defending champion

If the champion fails to make weight:

*SCENARIO 1 – The champion vacates the title immediately. The fight remains a five-round contest. If the vacated champion wins the fight, the Maximum Fighting Championship holds the option to automatically consider him the No. 1 contender for the next title fight in that weight class. The Maximum Fighting Championship also holds an option to make an immediate rematch.

* SCENARIO 2 – The champion vacates the title immediately. The fight remains a five-round contest. If the challenger wins the fight, the challenger becomes the MFC champion. The Maximum Fighting Championship holds an option to make an immediate rematch.

If the challenger fails to make weight:

*The champion automatically retains the belt. A non-title fight takes place and the Maximum Fighting Championship solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. If the challenger wins the bout, the Maximum Fighting Championship holds an option to make a future rematch.

If both fighters fail to make weight:

*The champion vacates the title immediately. A non-title fight takes place and the Maximum Fighting Championship solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. The Maximum Fighting Championship holds the option to consider the winner of the bout as the No. 1 contender for the next title fight in that weight class. The Maximum Fighting Championship also holds an option to make future rematch.

Title Fight with a vacant championship

If one fighter fails to make weight:

*The fight remains a five-round contest. If the fighter who made weight wins the bout, he becomes the MFC champion of that weight class. If the fighter who failed to make weight wins the bout, that fighter does not claim the title, and the Maximum Fighting Championship holds the option to make him the No. 1 contender and/or to make an immediate rematch.

If both fighters fail to make weight:

*A non-title bout takes place and the Maximum Fighting Championship solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. The Maximum Fighting Championship holds the option to make a future rematch.

Of utmost concern is fighter safety when dealing with weight cutting issues, and these changes will also allow for more title fights to stay on course.

“Obviously this has been a situation that has come up a handful of times, namely when Mukai Maromo fought Adam Lynn at MFC 34,” noted MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“This new criteria is a way for the fighter who made weight to continue in his quest for the title belt and not be punished for doing everything he was supposed to. It’s important to our organization, our fighters, and our fans that title fights happen with as much excitement as possible, and I hope this endeavor goes a long way as a fail-safe.”

Another new procedure, although not yet finalized, has to do with the weigh-in itself:

Weigh-In Policy

*Currently at the official weigh-in, the policy dictated is a “one-shot deal” whereas the fighter steps on the scale, and the weight at that time is considered his official weight.

*The Maximum Fighting Championship is lobbying the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission to impose a new directive that will allow a fighter to have no more than 2 hours to make weight again. Meaning that since the MFC weigh-in starts at 12:30 p.m., the fighter will have until 2 hours past his time of weighing in to make the contracted weight (ex. main-event fighter weighs in last at 12:55 p.m., he then has until 2:55 p.m. to make weight). The “second attempt” weigh-in will be held under the supervision of the ECSC, the MFC, and both fighters’ representatives.

*If a fighter does not make weight at the initial official weigh-in, he is currently fined 20% of his purse. If the fighter fails to make the contracted weight at the “second attempt” weigh-in, the fighter will be fined an additional 10% for a total of 30%. All deducted money goes to the opponent who made weight.

*If both fighters do not make the contracted weight at the initial official weigh-in, the Maximum Fighting Championship solely retains the discretion to automatically set the fight at a catchweight (neither fighter is fined and neither fighter has a “second attempt” weigh-in) or have both fighters come back in 2 hours for a “second attempt” weigh-in. The Maximum Fighting Championship may set a “second attempt” weigh-in and a target weight to be reached if it deems one or both of the fighters to be substantially over the contracted weight. If a “second attempt” weigh-in is conducted and one fighter fails to make weight or a targeted weight, that fighter will be fined 20% of his purse with the money going to his opponent. If both fighters fail on their “second attempt” then both fighters will be fined 20% of their respective purses and the fight will be set at a catchweight. Any money from fines received in this scenario will be donated to the MFC’s charity of choice (currently Branch Out Foundation).

The final new procedure will be formally introduced by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission at MFC 35:

Drug Testing Policy

*As previously noted on the MFC website, the Maximum Fighting Championship and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission will be working in conjunction on random drug testing beginning at MFC 35 on Friday, Oct. 26. The Commission will select up to 6 fighters from the entire card and those fighters must provide a urine sample in the locker room after their bout. The MFC and the fighters’ representatives will be notified of those results. If a winning fighter posts positive test results, the win on his record will be officially changed to a “no-contest.” The Commission, not the Maximum Fighting Championship, is responsible for determining any suspension and/or fine.

Press Release – The Maximum Fighting Championship brings its final card of the 2012 campaign to life on Friday, Oct. 26, and it is sure to be a night of electrifying, high-impact action.

MFC 35: Explosive Encounter will take place at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and air live on AXS TV Fights throughout the United States beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation). MFC 35 will then air on tape-delay in Canada on TSN2.

The lineup is topped by the much-anticipated showdown for the MFC world middleweight title as Elvis “The King” Mutapcic (11-2) squares off against Joseph “Leonidas” Henle (8-0-1). Five other fights highlight the main card – one which bears a striking resemblance to two of the best shows in the history of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“Looking back, MFC 24 and MFC 34 were sensational events in every way possible,” recalled MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“Those cards had lineups that when you first looked at them, there were a lot of questions and some doubts. But when those two shows were put in the books, they were phenomenal. You can get hung up on so-called big names and the results don’t merit the attention.

“Our best success has come when we focus on matchmaking exciting fights and keep in mind how future scenarios might play out. So we put fighters together who will compete with passion and give everything they have. This is mixed martial arts and this is a sport but let’s forget that first and foremost this is entertainment. I want our fans entertained, and we’re going to showcase the fighters that are entertaining and exciting.”

Mutapcic vs. Henle

Fans will certainly get excitement when Mutapcic and Henle meet for the middleweight championship. Mutapcic, a native of Bosnia who now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, enters the title bout riding a three-fight winning streak punctuated by his first-round demolition of Jacen Flynn at MFC 34. Mutapcic also holds notable career victories over former MFC light-heavyweight title challenger Zak Cummings and Cezar Ferreira. Meanwhile, Henle shot to prominence with his own first-round victory at MFC 34 when he took out Luke Harris with a vicious TKO. Henle, who fights out of Thousand Oaks, California, also holds four submission wins, and was a standout on “The Ultimate Fighter – Season 11” under coach Chuck Liddell.

Spencer vs. Nelson

MFC 35 will unveil the organization’s featherweight division in grand style as Graham Spencer takes on Shane Nelson. Spencer (8-1, 1 no contest), who hails from Vancouver, B.C., is a highly regarded Canadian prospect who has won three in a row, and boasts a victory over MFC lightweight title contender Mukai Maromo. Nelson (15-6) is a training partner of legendary fighter BJ Penn, and the Hilo, Hawaii, product, who boasts four wins by both knockout and submission, has knocked off such notables as Aaron Riley, George Roop, and Kolo Koka.

Rama vs. Fortin

The heavyweights return at MFC 35 as two top prospects will tangle to see who will climb the rankings ladder. Smealinho Rama (4-0), who is coming off a successful organizational debut at MFC 34, takes on Ryan “The Vanilla Gorilla” Fortin (6-3). Rama, who fights out of Calgary, Alberta, defeated veteran Lee Mein at MFC 34 and now holds two knockouts and two submission victories. Fortin, who is originally from Wetaskiwin, Alberta, has picked up three wins under the Heat XC banner, but has come up short in three outings inside the MFC ring. Fortin’s most noteworthy career win was a third-round knockout of Hall of Famer Dan Severn last April.

Three More Matchups

Rounding out the MFC 35: Explosive Encounter main card lineup are a trio of bouts that are sure to be wild affairs.

In a middleweight rematch, Derek “The Lion” Parker and Jared “The Yeti” McComb will reconvene to settle the issue from their action-packed clash at MFC 33. Parker, the personable former hockey enforcer from Regina, Saskatchewan, and McComb (both 4-1-1), who will have home-town support fighting in Edmonton, put forth a rousing battle back in May and they’re expected to repeat that level of fiery competition again.

Two fighters in search of much-needed victories will meet in another MFC 35 clash as Vancouver, B.C.’s Sabah Fadai (7-2, 1 no contest) toes the line against Cody “Genghis” Krahn (11-5) of Edmonton, Alberta. This will be Fadai’s first fight in the welterweight division as he looks to become a dual-division threat, though, picking up his first win in the MFC ring is of utmost importance. Fadai earned a share of the MFC’s 2011 Fight of the Year but was saddled with a decision loss to Mukai Maromo at MFC 31. Krahn, meanwhile, is coming off a first-round submission loss to Jason Zentgraf at MFC 34 and he needs to secure his spot with a win. All of Krahn’s wins have come inside the opening round, including eight via submission.

MFC 35: Explosive Encounter’s main card opens up with a light-heavyweight tilt between two fan favorites as Paul “The Punisher” Grandbois tangles with Jason “The Show” Kuchera. Grandbois (4-4) had his two-fight winning run stopped by Derek Parker at MFC 34, while Kuchera (5-5) returns from a lengthy injury layoff. Kuchera is a former “Inside MMA” Basie Award winner for his epic battle with Aron Lofton from MFC 15.

A formal announcement on the MFC 35 undercard, featuring Garrett Nybakken, Jose Rodriguez, Matt Jelly, and Chase Degenhardt, will be released shortly.

Tickets for MFC 35: Explosive Encounter are available now exclusively via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

Press Release – The Maximum Fighting Championship’s MFC 34: Total Recall is going prime time on TSN2

MFC 34 will premiere on TSN2 on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).

Then on Monday, Sept. 10, TSN2 will have an encore presentation of MFC 34 at 7:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. MT/4:30 p.m. PT.

MFC 34: Total Recall is widely regarded as one of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s best events to date with four devastating knockouts and a slick submission highlighting the show held live at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Amongst the electrifying fights that occurred at MFC 34 was the dominating finish put forth by “The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo as he sought a convincing victory against rival, former U.S. Marine Adam Lynn. Maromo’s performance was nothing short of sensational as he became the frontrunner in the MFC’s exciting lightweight division.

Also at MFC 34 came the re-igniting of the organization’s heavyweight division – and what an explosion it was as Mike “The Honey Badger” Hackert stepped up to become Canada’s undisputed No. 1-ranked heavyweight by taking out long-time top-dog Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague.

MFC 34 also saw the top contenders for the middleweight title immerge in a pair of scintillating battles. Newcomers went to war when Elvis “The King” Mutapcic took on Jacen Flynn, and judo sensation Luke Harris took on against former reality show standout Joseph “Leonidas” Henle.

Don’t miss MFC 34: Total Recall coming to TSN2.

For more information and interview requests, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media and Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship

(780) 914-5813

[email protected]

www.maximumfighting.com

Follow the MFC on Twitter @maximumfighting

Follow me on Twitter @scottmaxfight