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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.”

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Former UFC fighter Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague is taking his 10-4 record against The Ultimate Fighter 10′s Zak Jensen on the Aggression’s July 9th card in Edmonton. Hague touches upon his release from the UFC, and his current contract with TFC and how it all plays out.

Here’s the card, as it currently stands:

-Victor Valimaki vs. Ovince St. Preux
-Tim Hague vs. Zak Jensen
-Sheldon Westcott vs. Simon Marini
-Ryan Machan vs. Spencer Rohovie
-Mukai Maramo vs. David Fuentes
-Lenny Wheeler vs. Josh Machan
-Jarid Bussemakers vs. TBA
-Matt Knysh vs. Michael Davis
-Ryan Knysh vs. Allan Munroe
-Devon Jones vs. Drew Weatherhead
-Jonathan Pridham vs. Mark Sakaw
-Jorge Blanco vs. Kurtis Higgins
-Siarhie Misialuk vs. Jared McComb
-David Isadora vs. Parwez Phulam

It's not very often that fights become larger than life and actually
live up to the hype.

But at this past weekend's WEC 49 event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
Mark Hominick and Yves Jabouin combined to deliver a toe-to-toe battle that lived up to every bit of
the hype generated by eight years of build-up.

Surprisingly, despite getting up off the canvas to deliver a second-round
TKO of Jabouin, Hominick said he wasn't sure exactly how great the fight
was. In fact, there are a few seconds he doesn't even remember.

While this past Sunday's WEC 49 event proved one of the most
entertaining fight cards in recent memory, the event didn't live up to
the ratings of some of the organization's previous events.

However, initial reports of an average audience of just 244,000 viewers
have since been revised, and industry sources have indicated to
MMAjunkie.com that the new tally indicates an
average audience of 324,000 viewers.

"WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus" took place June 20 at Rexall Place in
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

WEC 49 took place on June 20 from the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and the ECSC(Edmonton Combatative Sports Commision) has issued their list of medical suspensions from the night. Every fighter has been suspended, though most can get back to training with a quick doctors clearance. The biggest suspensions went to Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus both of whom were suspended indefinetely.

Jamie Varner: Suspended indefinitely until cleared by a doctor. X-rays are required for right hand, right foot and ribs.
Kamal Shalorus: Suspended indefinitely until cleared by a doctor. X-rays required for hands and right leg.
Yves Jabouin: 30 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Mark Hominick: 30 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Will Campuzano: 30 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Diego Nunes: 30 day suspension for precautionary reasons
L.C. Davis: 21 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Daniel Downes: 21 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Anthony Leone: 21 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Chris Horodecki: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Eddie Wineland: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Frank Gomez: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Wagnney Fabiano: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Bendy Casimir: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Raphael Assuncao: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Chris Cariaso: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Rafael Rebello: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Renan Barao: 14 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Josh Grispi: 7 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Will Kerr: 7 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Karen Darabedyan: 7 day suspension for precautionary reasons
Erik Koch: 7 day suspension for precautionary reasons

With no titles on the line and most of the organization's biggest stars on the sidelines, ratings dipped for Sunday's Versus-televised WEC 49 event but peaked with 324,000 viewers for the night's Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus lightweight headliner.

MMAjunkie.com today obtained the ratings estimates from an industry source.

The June 20 WEC 49 event, which took place at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, averaged approximately 244,000 viewers.

A replay on Sunday's "WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus" event airs tonight on Versus.

The event took place at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and featured a controversial lightweight headliner between Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus.

The two-hour replay airs at tonight 9 p.m. ET/PT on the WEC's longtime cable partner.

We caught up with up and coming Canadian MMA superstar Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford, as he prepares to defend his TFC welterweight belt against verteran Carlo Prater.

Terry (TheMMANews): “Ryan you’re riding a four fight winning streak heading into your upcoming fight on July 17 against Carlo Prater. How is your training going, have you made any adjustments?”

Ryan Ford: “Training is going good; I’m going back to Victoria in the morning. I just came back from the MMA expo in Toronto and I got 5 weeks until fight night. I have been trying to get better at every skill and get ready to go.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “How many fights do you have left on your contract with The Fight Club, and is there any chance of seeing you in the Octagon in the near future?”

Ryan Ford: “I got one fight left with the fight club, which is the next fight here to defend the title. After that, the octagon, whenever they come calling I’ll be ready I’m just going to keep knocking people out and choking people out and we’ll see what happens.

Terry (TheMMANews): “Who do you consider to be fighters that you would like to face in the coming year, regardless of which company promotes them, and why?”

Ryan Ford: “ I just want to fight whoever says they’re the best then I want to fight them, if they’re doing it, well I’m doing it too so let’s do it. I been doing this for 3 years so I’m climbing the latter and I’m prepared to do my thing.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “What’s a typical day of training, and do you maintain your weight throughout the process or do you have a large weight cut?”

Ryan Ford: “I usually start an 8 week training camp, the first couple weeks help to get back into rhythm. I start around 200 pounds 8 weeks out, and right now I’m 5 weeks out and I am sitting about 190 pounds and very strong. I’m just doing the same things I always do and working hard in the gym. I split up my boxing, wrestling, jui juitsu and strength and conditioning into different days.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “There are critics out there that say you are one of the most gifted natural athletes in MMA but that you need to focus on putting the effort in to mastering “technique”. How do you respond to those critics?”

Ryan Ford: “The critiques are right, I am one of the most gifted athletes out there, but what they don’t know is that I am getting more technique and skills with everything to do with MMA. I’m not focusing on one specific thing but trying to better myself in all areas, and my game is getting better and better every time I’m in the gym.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Are you still going to various schools and sharing your life experiences as a way to help kids maintain their lives on the “right track?” Tell us a little about what this means to you.”

Ryan Ford: “I have traveled to quite a few different places to speak to schools. I have spoken at a bunch of the junior highs and high schools in Edmonton, where I’m from. I just want to give back to some kids that might be gearing off in the wrong direction and with my experience maybe steer them back in the right track. I let them know that seeing people with nice vehicles and money isn’t about hanging around with gangs and selling drugs. Just to hang around with positive people because that will help your life get positive.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Is there one aspect of mixed martial arts that appeals to you more than any other? “

Ryan Ford: “ I like the challenge, I like taking on the challenge and training and waiting for somebody to take on the contract and take on the challenge because they think that they can beat you and I just love fighting and this is what I do for a living now.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Give us a few things you like to do during your downtime away from fighting.”

Ryan Ford: “I like to chill out with the family; I got a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter that turns 2 in September. I like to go to the parks and hang out with my friends, and play Playstation 3—I’m a gamer!”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Anything you want to say to the fans that support you?”

Ryan Ford: “I just want to thank all the fans that support me, and if you don’t know me go to my website www.ryantherealdealford.com and check me out on YouTube. And I want to give a shout out to all the haters, out there because them hating just makes me get better—I love it.”

In a seven-year MMA career, Jamie Varner once again found himself nursing a broken hand and broken foot after a fight. But this time, he did not have a win to show for it.

Varner fought Kamal Shalorus for three rounds to a controversial split draw this past Sunday in the main event of WEC 49 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. But the former WEC champion feels the judges gave him the short end of the stick.

"Minus the low blows, I still think I won that fight," Varner said.

A miscarriage of justice in the main event between Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus ended what had been a fantastic night of fights during WEC 49 on a sour note.

Varner and Shalorus fought to a split draw according to the judges in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada this evening, although many ringside observers and fans at home would disagree with the ruling.

Varner had his way with Shalorus standing for the bulk of the first two rounds between the two heavy handed lightweights, utilizing an edge in speed and power with his punches to frustrate and rock “The Prince of Persia” on multiple occasions. Seemingly tipping the scales even further in Varner’s favor, Shalorus was docked a point in the second round due to a series of cringe-worthy kicks to the groin. Shalorus made a case for winning the third round after thrusting his foot into Varner’s groin one last time, securing a takedown and working some good old fashioned ground and pound for a large portion of the final frame.

When the dust had a chance to settle following three action packed rounds between the two it was revealed that the bout had been ruled a draw with one judge giving the bout to Varner via a score of 29-27, while another gave it to Shalorus 29-27, and the final judge ruled the bout even at 28-28.

In what should easily be ruled the fight of the night, Mark Hominick came back from being technically frustrated standing for the majority of the first round and rocked in the second round by fellow Canadian featherweight Yves Jabouin to stop his foe with a volley of strikes on the ground in an electrifying back and forth battle.

Josh Grispi confirmed the widespread belief that he is one of the top young fighters in the sport to keep an eye on with a nasty first round guillotine over the seasoned L.C. Davis that left the veteran completely unconscious.

Chris Horodecki bounced back from a defeat in his last bout with an impressive showing this evening against a green Danny Downes. Horodecki picked apart his game opponent at will standing before a third round rear-naked choke put the icing on the cake and the talented Shawn Tomkins fighter back in the winner’s circle.

A full list of results from WEC 49 is below:

Renan Barao def. Anthony Leone via submission (armbar) – Round 3

Chris Cariaso def. Rafael Rebello via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)

Diego Nunes def. Rafael Assuncao via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Eric Koch def. Bendy Casimir via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1

Wagnney Fabiano def. Frank Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Will Kerr def. Karen Darabedyan via submission (armbar) – Round 1

Eddie Wineland def. Will Campuzano via TKO (strikes) – Round 1

Chris Horodecki def. Danny Downes via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3

Josh Grispi def. L.C. Davis via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1

Mark Hominick def. Yves Jabouin via TKO (strikes) – Round 2

Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus fight to split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)