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Press Release

In a move that an overwhelming majority in the mixed martial arts world believed would never happen, Canadian welterweight sensation Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford has signed a new multi-fight contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

A former two-time challenger for the MFC’s 170-pound title, Ford and the MFC bitterly parted ways in early 2009 and the acrimonious split resulted in a rift that most insiders considered impossible to repair. But out of nowhere, there has been a mending of fences and Ford (12-2) is back in the MFC looking to rejuvenate a career that had dramatically stalled in his year-long absence from the organization.

“It’s unfortunate and a shame what happened the first time around, but I think everyone has grown since then,” offered MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. “This time around I hope that Ryan reaches the goals he set for himself — the goals he started with in the MFC right from the beginning.

“I hope that he lives up to his abilities that we all know he has. He’s going to be fighting top-notch talent so we will certainly see what he truly has.”

Now fighting out of the ZUMA training centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Ford is expected to make his return to the ring at MFC 26 on Friday, September 10. An official announcement on the host city and lineup for that card is forthcoming.

“I think this is very exciting for the fans,” said Adam Zugec, Ford’s trainer at ZUMA. “There’s been a lot of drama … just like a reality show, and I think the fans really love that.

“I’m expecting great things from Ryan. He’s made to be on TV, his persona is perfect for the MFC’s shows on HDNet, and Mark and the MFC is so good at marketing its fighters on television.

“I always knew that eventually both parties would be back working together. Both sides needed some time to clear their heads and start a new plan. As everyone started to mature they’ve become more willing to work with each other and that’s good for both sides.”

Ford made his MFC and professional mixed martial arts debut back in August 2007, instantly becoming a fan favorite as he rattled off six straight wins including three inside the opening round. His biggest victory in that initial phase of his career came via a second-round submission of veteran Pete Spratt — an outcome that while marred by strikes coming after the bell to end Round 1 also drew Ford favorable comparisons to Georges St. Pierre at the same time of their respective careers.

Following his sixth win, Ford earned a shot at the vacant MFC welterweight title, and although he dominated much of the fight with his takedowns, the Edmonton, Alberta, native was caught in an armbar and forced to tap out to veteran Pat Healy midway through the third round. Two victories followed for Ford which garnered him a rematch with Healy but the reigning champ held onto his belt with a tight five-round, split-decision outcome in his favor.

Unable to agree on the terms of a new contract, Ford and the MFC parted ways soon after the Healy rematch. But at long last, Ford has returned to where his blossoming career began.

“I think the best thing to happen to Ryan was to go to a smaller organization, get some experience and work on some things, and now return to the big show,” added Pavelich, who expects to quickly have a list of opponents lined up to face Ford.

“Ryan is eager to fight anybody,” noted Zugec. “Everybody knows that Ryan is a fighter at heart and he wants to test his talents against the best fighters at 170.”

Press Release

Gavin Neil would have to be considered among the MFC’s most promising prospects, having already amassed a solid 8-1 record over the course of his career.

There’s still plenty of work to do, yet the Victoria, British Columbia, native has taken an important step in the process of becoming a real contender.

“I think he’s turned a mental corner,” noted trainer Adam Zugec of his ZUMA product who is known to many MFC fans as “Forrest” for his Gump-like demeanor.

“Honestly, I’ve been waiting forever for it to come. He’s become a real different person in the gym because he’s really started to believe in himself . there’s just so much more self-confidence. I’m excited to see how it’s going to affect him because I think he could be very dangerous.”

As soft-spoken and unassuming as he is, Neil certainly did prove to be dangerous against veteran Richie Hightower at MFC 25 back in May. A crushing left hook floored Hightower and Neil pounced, ultimately forcing Hightower to tap just moments later under the weight of a rear-naked choke. It was Neil’s sixth win in seven fights under the MFC banner and moved him a step closer to the upper echelon of the MFC’s 155-pound division.

Having already proven himself against a wave of up-and-comers – wins over Alain Hernandez, Evan Sanguin, and Jason Zorthian all coming inside the first round – the victory over Hightower showed Neil is ready for more seasoned opposition. That is all part of Zugec’s grand game plan for his likeable lightweight.

“He’s really gained a lot of confidence off that last fight and now I think he’s really found a groove,” said Zugec.

With that mental corner turned, the next curve to negotiate is a physical one.

“I need to get him a tanning salon sponsor,” laughed Zugec. “He does need to put on some muscle so we’re going to build on his frame. Gavin wants to fight three times a year and now we’ll just wait to see who the next fight is going to be against. But we’ll be ready and Gavin is going to take another big step.”

UFC 115 was a solid earner in the promotion's first trip to Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada.

MMAjunkie.com requested and today received from the Vancouver Athletic Commission the
June 12 event's official tallies for live gate and attendance, and
official numbers are line with those earlier reported by the promotion.

The pay-per-view card generated $4,221,787 in box office revenue from
14,621 tickets sold. That means the official per-ticket average cost for
the event increased from $247.06, as earlier reported, to $288.75.

The UFC's first ever trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a
success at the gate after selling out in just 30 minutes, and a few
high-profile fighters cashed in on some impressive paydays.

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, who lost in UFC 115's main event, earned
$500,000 and former PRIDE champ Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic earned
$150,000 for victory in the evening's co-main event.

MMAjunkie.com requested and today received the
figures from the Vancouver Athletic Commission.

A hard-fought loss wasn’t the only thing Pat Barry suffered at UFC 115 on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

“For the record, Barry has a broken [right] hand and a broken [right] foot,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “His foot and hand are broken.”

Barry panicked once realizing the right hand, one of the most vicious weapons in his arsenal for the intended game plan against the Croatian, had run out of ammo. Visibly distressed going into the final five minutes, he tired, faltered, and wilted to some vintage Cro Cop striking before finally succumbing to the Croation at 4:30 of the third round by rear-naked choke.

One can only wonder if his admiration for the feared Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix Champion also played a part in his lost on Saturday. Not once, but twice in the first round, Cro Cop took two devastating rights from Barry, leaving him firmly planted on the Octagon canvas. Instead of a lion going in for the throat, he waved Cro Cop up to his feet, a decision that would later be his undoing. Constantly high-fiving each other, even taking a moment of pause in the first round to bro hug, Barry’s tactful gestures stemming from the admittedly star struck opportunity to face one of his idols made his overly respectful approach to the fight and generous resolve look like a glorified sparring session with a friend. When facing someone as fierce and competitive as Cro Cop, calling that a mistake is an understatement.

White weighs in post-fight: “No doubt about it. He respected Cro Cop, but kind of had this feeling like I know I’m going to take him out tonight. I think he played that fight all wrong.”

Leaving the Octagon Saturday night a loser in the record books, Barry’s presence and personality during the days leading up the fight is sure to have won him over fans across the world. His heartwarming attitude and youthful persona is a welcome addition to a sport commonly filled with bad blood and pre-fight trash talk.

The much needed win for Cro Cop comes at the end of his UFC contract. Following his recovery from being rocked early in the first round, the Croation fought with a vigor and hunger not seen since his days in Pride FC, looking as if he had finally broken out of his shell in the cage. His future in the UFC remains to be seen and only time will tell.

For what appeared to be a lackluster card on paper, the co-main event between these two daunting heavyweights helped deliver what ultimately turned out to be a fantastic night of fights for Vancouver’s inaugural event.

Spike TV's "UFC Prelims" broadcast for this past weekend's UFC 115 event drew an average audience of 1.3 million viewers and peaked with 1.5 million, Spike TV officials today announced.

The two-fight June 15 broadcast, which featured Evan Dunham vs. Tyson Griffin and Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman, qualifies as the sixth-highest-rated broadcaqst of the eight "UFC Prelims" specials that have aired to date.

UFC 115 took place at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and the "UFC Prelims" broadcast served as a teaser for the night's pay-per-view main card.

Rich Franklin is en route to Las Vegas for surgery after his first-round
knockout of Chuck Liddell at UFC 115 this past Saturday in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada.

J.T. Stewart, Franklin's business manager, today told MMAjunkie.com that
his client suffered a broken left ulna when blocking a kick from
Liddell early in the fight.

"Ace" will see an orthopedic surgeon to correct the damage.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Mirko Filipovic not
only took a second lease on his UFC career with a victory over Pat Barry at Saturday's UFC 115, but he's also debuted a new
side of himself - the funny "Cro Cop."

Filipovic walked into the arena to his favorite entrance song, "Wild
Boys" from Duran Duran. But instead of wearing his usual look - a
slightly pained grimace - during his cage walk, Filipovic flashed
something completely new: a smile.

The former PRIDE champion opened up on Wednesday during an open workout
promoting the event and hasn't closed up since.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - While the $85,000 bonus check Rory
MacDonald received for his "Fight of the Night" performance at
UFC 115 probably helped chase away the blues that
accompanied his first professional MMA loss, it did little to silence
the 17,000 angered fans at GM Place.

With MacDonald absorbing shot after shot from opponent Carlos Condit,
referee Kevin Dornan made the unpopular decision of stopping the fight
with just seven seconds left in a contest the Canadian youngster seemed
assured of no less than a draw result.

UFC president Dana White said the timing of
the ending was unfortunate, but he backed the referee's decision
completely.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - UFC president Dana White did not get a
chance to confer with former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell,
as he said he would, after Saturday's UFC 115 event. Instead, Liddell
went straight to the hospital after Rich Franklin
knocked him out cold.

White said Thursday that if Liddell went unconscious again,
the two would come to the same conclusion: it's time to hang it up.

"Yeah, and I hope he agreed tonight," the UFC president said at the
post-event press conference when asked if Liddell's career is over. "I
don't think he won't."