by Mark Pavelich MFC President / Written by MFC Staff

It’s amazing in this day and age how many people want to be in the MMA business and how many non-educated people are promoting the sport of MMA.

Cities all over the country are forming commissions with members that don’t know the difference between an armbar and a rear-naked choke. These commissions can’t fathom why it’s wrong for a guy with a record of 33-11 fighting a guy who is 0-1, and don’t understand the mistakes they’re making when they let a veteran with a record of 94-16 fight someone who is 1-3. It’s unmistakeable the dangers this can cause. Who is going to responsible when the unprepared fighter is seriously hurt or worse? It’s an embarrassment but even more than that it is criminally irresponsible.

Most of these ignorant promoters don’t care. To them, it’s about looking good, wearing the coolest T-shirt and being able to brag at the after-party about how they “own” an MMA show. I used to think that it is the fault of these idiots but after really thinking about it, it is the commissions fault.

See my big problem is that this is the only thing I am good at. I really love it – I mean really love it. We at the MFC don’t do this as a hobby or a side business or for a way to play some sort of role.

This is my business. This is how my family survives. It is our life and our livelihood.

I’ve spent the last 11 years trying to bring my organization up to the highest level and run it with very high standards. I truly believe in the near future that we will see a very serious injury or death if this continues. You would think that these promoters would not chance it and screw up but I realized any person who would put an 0-1 fighter against a 33-11 fighter can’t love the sport of MMA because the ramifications that will come if that unqualified fighter got seriously injured would resonate throughout the country (if not the entire world). And with the recent B.C. Medical Association on their ridiculous crusade trying to get MMA stopped and Ontario on its way to getting sanctioned all we need is any slight mishap and you will see the sport of MMA go down the toilet in Canada – and for that matter anywhere else where sanctioning is a hot topic such as New York.

And it’s not just about unscrupulous promoters who don’t know the first thing about proper matchmaking or care about things like medicals and insurance.

It’s also about these promoters who get away with putting on shows by throwing the word “amateur” on a poster and calling themselves “sanctioned” by some group of guys in a basement somewhere. These shows, specifically in Saskatchewan, are 100% illegal. Who is going to take responsibility if and when a young man is seriously injured, crippled, or killed? There is no sanctioning body, no civic or provincial commission who commands proper insurance and medical precautions.

But do your “amateur” show in a dark pavilion or in some sketchy nightclub and you can get away with it. It won’t be long before you wreck someone’s life and the sport itself. You don’t love the fighters and you don’t love the sport. You love a quick buck and being able to walk around like you’re some kind of celebrity. You are a ticking time bomb.

I worry every day about things like this and if commissions are not going to regulate or make sure that these promoters are not allowed to do these types of matchups, I will write, petition, and hassle these commissions to start being a proper regulatory body. I want people to know who is doing right and who is doing wrong. The question isn’t whether you like me or not. We are bonded by our love and passion for MMA and even before the Maximum Fighting Championship what always comes first is the preservation of the sport of mixed martial arts.

On Friday night, Maximum Fighting Championships lightweight champ, Antonio McKee (25-3) remained undefeated in seven years going 11-0-1 in that time span.

It only took minutes for McKee to end the fight and keep his title against Brazilian Luciano Azevedo at last nights MFC 26: Retribution event. While in Azevedo’s guard, McKee opened up with a couple of vicious elbows that opened up a nasty gash on Azevedo’s forehead.

Azevedo quickly turned calling out for a stoppage, giving McKee a TKO (doctor stoppage) victory at 3:11 of the first.

McKee told the fans that he’s looking for some stiffer competition in someone like BJ Penn or Sean Sherk in the future.

“Like I told Mark Pavelich, if I don’t get this sucker out of here in the first or second round, I’m retiring. So guess it’s not true, you can teach an old dog new tricks,” McKee said after the fight. Never at a loss for words, the 40-year-old fighter didn’t stop there.

“I don’t fear anybody. I’m waiting for the UFC to release B.J. (Penn) or Sean Sherk so I can tear their ass up too.”

HT: MMAWeekly.com for the transcription.

Joining Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten on this week’s panel is former UFC Champ Forrest Griffin, MFC President CEO Mark Pavelich and Antonio McKee.

HT: HDNetFights.com

Mark Pavelich is promising a world-class card for the Maximum Fighting Championship’s first stop in Brandon.

Tickets go on sale today for MFC 26: Retribution, slated for Friday, Sept. 10 at Westman Place, with the mixed martial arts card broadcast live on HDNet in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

“It’s going to be the biggest mixed martial arts card to come to Manitoba … and outside the UFC, probably the biggest in Canada, ever,” said Pavelich, the owner/president of MFC, Canada’s top MMA association.

“I couldn’t be any more excited to come to your city. … I like the Keystone Centre, I watched the Memorial Cup on television and I liked the atmosphere in the arena when I was watching it and I thought, that’s where I’m going to put a show on.”

The card will feature the likes of former UFC veteran Wilson Gouveia, The Ultimate Fighter 6 alumnus Richie (The Dirty Samurai) Hightower, as well as Brandon’s top two local fighters making their MFC debut in Curtis Demarce and Steve Fader, with the main event to be announced next week.

“We will have major league fighters on this card,” Pavelich said. “I’m coming to Brandon and I’m not bringing some subpar fight card. I am bringing the biggest one that my company has put on in 10 years. I have a few scenarios and I want to put on a great main event so that people go ‘Wow, this is unbelievable’ …
“We might put in Ryan (The Big Deal) Jimmo (13-1), who is an MFC product who has won 14 fights in a row and just smashed Wilson Gouveia in his last fight in the Maximum Fighting Championship. So he might fight in the main event.”

Confirmed fighters include Canadian welterweight Ryan (The Real Deal) Ford (12-2), MFC lightweight champion Antonio (Mandingo) McKee (24-3-2) of Los Angeles in a title fight against Brazilian Luciano Azevedo (16-8), as well as Brazilian light heavyweight Glover Teixeira (9-2) and British middleweight Tom (Kong) Watson (12-3).

A top light heavyweight bout will feature crowd favourite Dwayne Lewis (11-5) of Fort McMurray, Alta., battling Gouveia (12-8), an MMA veteran with American Top Team from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Brandon boys, Demarce (9-7) and Fader (2-1), will get the night started as Demarce puts his five fight winning streak up against Hightower (8-4), of Phoenix, Ariz., in a lightweight clash.

“What I’ve seen from Curtis Demarce, I think he has a very good possibility of winning that fight,” Pavelich said.

“Curtis Demarce belongs in the Maximum Fighting Championship. … He has earned that spot to do so, he has won a lot of fights in a row, he looks really good and I’m really excited.”

Meanwhile, Fader faces rival Nick Hrynchyshyn (2-1) of Sylvan Lake, Alta., while Nathan Gunn (7-2) of Thunder Bay, Ont., will battle Dami Egbeyemi (3-0) of Regina.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster (726-3555) or at www.ticketmaster.ca, with the event slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. (broadcast at 9 p.m.).

Mark Pavelich is promising a world-class card for the Maximum Fighting Championship’s first stop in Brandon.

Tickets go on sale today for MFC 26: Retribution, slated for Friday, Sept. 10 at Westman Place, with the mixed martial arts card broadcast live on HDNet in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

“It’s going to be the biggest mixed martial arts card to come to Manitoba … and outside the UFC, probably the biggest in Canada, ever,” said Pavelich, the owner/president of MFC, Canada’s top MMA association.

“I couldn’t be any more excited to come to your city. … I like the Keystone Centre, I watched the Memorial Cup on television and I liked the atmosphere in the arena when I was watching it and I thought, that’s where I’m going to put a show on.”

The card will feature the likes of former UFC veteran Wilson Gouveia, The Ultimate Fighter 6 alumnus Richie (The Dirty Samurai) Hightower, as well as Brandon’s top two local fighters making their MFC debut in Curtis Demarce and Steve Fader, with the main event to be announced next week.

“We will have major league fighters on this card,” Pavelich said. “I’m coming to Brandon and I’m not bringing some subpar fight card. I am bringing the biggest one that my company has put on in 10 years. I have a few scenarios and I want to put on a great main event so that people go ‘Wow, this is unbelievable’ …
“We might put in Ryan (The Big Deal) Jimmo (13-1), who is an MFC product who has won 14 fights in a row and just smashed Wilson Gouveia in his last fight in the Maximum Fighting Championship. So he might fight in the main event.”

Confirmed fighters include Canadian welterweight Ryan (The Real Deal) Ford (12-2), MFC lightweight champion Antonio (Mandingo) McKee (24-3-2) of Los Angeles in a title fight against Brazilian Luciano Azevedo (16-8), as well as Brazilian light heavyweight Glover Teixeira (9-2) and British middleweight Tom (Kong) Watson (12-3).

A top light heavyweight bout will feature crowd favourite Dwayne Lewis (11-5) of Fort McMurray, Alta., battling Gouveia (12-8), an MMA veteran with American Top Team from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The Brandon boys, Demarce (9-7) and Fader (2-1), will get the night started as Demarce puts his five fight winning streak up against Hightower (8-4), of Phoenix, Ariz., in a lightweight clash.

“What I’ve seen from Curtis Demarce, I think he has a very good possibility of winning that fight,” Pavelich said.

“Curtis Demarce belongs in the Maximum Fighting Championship. … He has earned that spot to do so, he has won a lot of fights in a row, he looks really good and I’m really excited.”

Meanwhile, Fader faces rival Nick Hrynchyshyn (2-1) of Sylvan Lake, Alta., while Nathan Gunn (7-2) of Thunder Bay, Ont., will battle Dami Egbeyemi (3-0) of Regina.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster (726-3555) or at www.ticketmaster.ca, with the event slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. (broadcast at 9 p.m.).

The Maximum Fighting Championship, one of the premier mixed martial arts organizations in North America, will make its much-anticipated debut in the province of Manitoba with the announcement that MFC 26: Retribution will be held in the city of Brandon on Friday, September 10.

As Canada’s largest and most-popular brand of MMA, the Maximum Fighting Championship is excited to bring an action-packed card and live television broadcast to a new host city.

The MFC is the only Canadian-based organization showcased on live TV, and in partnership with HDNet Fights, the main card of the September 10 show from Westman Place at the Keystone Centre will be broadcast live throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico beginning at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT/7 p.m. PT.

“I am truly excited to be bringing the Maximum Fighting Championship to the city of Brandon – it will be a memorable night in the history of our organization and an incredible night of professional sports in Brandon,” said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“Brandon has hosted some big events before but nothing like a night brought to the city by the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“We are not holding back anything for this event – fans in the seats of the Keystone Centre and the fans watching on HDNet will see a showcase of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s most talented fighters at MFC 26. We will prove once again that the MFC is the pinnacle of mixed martial arts in Canada and a prominent stage for best fighters in the world.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday – July 16 – via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (204) 726-3555 and www.ticketmaster.ca. The live event will begin at 7:15 p.m. CT with doors at 6:30 p.m. CT.

MFC 26: Retribution marks the first venture for the organization outside of the Alberta, and also marks the first time since 2003 that the MFC will host an event beyond the Greater Edmonton Area.

A powerful lineup is being put together for MFC 26 with an impressive card of fights to be finalized soon. Confirmed fighters for the event whose opponents will be named shortly include:

•British middleweight Tom “Kong” Watson (12-3)
•Canadian welterweight sensation Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (12-2)
•MFC lightweight champion Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (24-3-2)
•Brazilian light heavyweight phenom Glover Teixeira (9-2)
A light heavyweight bout is set with crowd favorite Dwayne Lewis (11-5) of Fort McMurray, Alberta, taking on American Top Team’s Wilson Gouveia (12-8) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Two Manitoba products are slated to make their MFC debuts on the evening’s undercard. In a lightweight clash, Curtis Demarce (8-7), who has won five straight fights, matches up against former reality show standout Richie “The Dirty Samurai” Hightower (8-4) of Phoenix, Arizona. And in what has become a bitter feud, Brandon native Steve Fader (2-1) will look to silence rival Nick Hrynchyshyn (2-1) of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The undercard will also pit Thunder Bay, Ontario, native Nathan Gunn (7-2) versus Dami Egbeyemi (3-0) of Regina, Saskatchewan.

A rundown of the complete MFC 26: Retribution fight card will be forthcoming as well as details on the official press conference and weigh-in.

The Maximum Fighting Championship, one of the premier mixed martial arts organizations in North America, will make its much-anticipated debut in the province of Manitoba with the announcement that MFC 26: Retribution will be held in the city of Brandon on Friday, September 10.

As Canada’s largest and most-popular brand of MMA, the Maximum Fighting Championship is excited to bring an action-packed card and live television broadcast to a new host city.

The MFC is the only Canadian-based organization showcased on live TV, and in partnership with HDNet Fights, the main card of the September 10 show from Westman Place at the Keystone Centre will be broadcast live throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico beginning at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT/7 p.m. PT.

“I am truly excited to be bringing the Maximum Fighting Championship to the city of Brandon – it will be a memorable night in the history of our organization and an incredible night of professional sports in Brandon,” said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“Brandon has hosted some big events before but nothing like a night brought to the city by the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“We are not holding back anything for this event – fans in the seats of the Keystone Centre and the fans watching on HDNet will see a showcase of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s most talented fighters at MFC 26. We will prove once again that the MFC is the pinnacle of mixed martial arts in Canada and a prominent stage for best fighters in the world.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday – July 16 – via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (204) 726-3555 and www.ticketmaster.ca. The live event will begin at 7:15 p.m. CT with doors at 6:30 p.m. CT.

MFC 26: Retribution marks the first venture for the organization outside of the Alberta, and also marks the first time since 2003 that the MFC will host an event beyond the Greater Edmonton Area.

A powerful lineup is being put together for MFC 26 with an impressive card of fights to be finalized soon. Confirmed fighters for the event whose opponents will be named shortly include:

•British middleweight Tom “Kong” Watson (12-3)
•Canadian welterweight sensation Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (12-2)
•MFC lightweight champion Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (24-3-2)
•Brazilian light heavyweight phenom Glover Teixeira (9-2)
A light heavyweight bout is set with crowd favorite Dwayne Lewis (11-5) of Fort McMurray, Alberta, taking on American Top Team’s Wilson Gouveia (12-8) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Two Manitoba products are slated to make their MFC debuts on the evening’s undercard. In a lightweight clash, Curtis Demarce (8-7), who has won five straight fights, matches up against former reality show standout Richie “The Dirty Samurai” Hightower (8-4) of Phoenix, Arizona. And in what has become a bitter feud, Brandon native Steve Fader (2-1) will look to silence rival Nick Hrynchyshyn (2-1) of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The undercard will also pit Thunder Bay, Ontario, native Nathan Gunn (7-2) versus Dami Egbeyemi (3-0) of Regina, Saskatchewan.

A rundown of the complete MFC 26: Retribution fight card will be forthcoming as well as details on the official press conference and weigh-in.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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.”

On Friday we carried a story originated by TheGarv.com involving MFC president Mark Pavelich and a request to suspend his promotion for fees owed.

Just to recap, the Association of Boxing Commissions received a request from the River Cree commission for “non-payment of fees owing to the commission.”

Pavelich spoke to TheGarv.com and clarified the situation, which appears to be nothing more than the MFC’s old venue, the River Cree Resort & Casino near Edmonton, Canada, breaking their own contract by charging an increased fee for the last MFC event held in their facility.

Pavelich indicated that the change to a higher rate was brought up quite informally before the event, and he immediately expressed his reluctance, and no further discussion or resolution took place. After the event, which was the final show on their exclusive contract, Pavelich explained that MFC paid the commission the original price within a month. Pavelich said the commission then contacted him with the claim that they had not received any check, so he mailed a second, and says he has all the accounting documentation to prove it.

Pavelich also relayed that the “non-payment of fees” that spawned the request for his suspension consists of the additional funds that were conspicuously and non-mutually added, plus a late fee for the alleged absence of the first check, which he has proof was mailed on time.

Looks like the Maximum Fighting Championship was in no danger of canceling events, which is good news for Canadian fans as they’ll get to enjoy more shows in the future.

It would appear that Maximum Fighting Championship president Mark Pavelich is behind on some fees owed to the River Cree Resort & Casino located near the city of Edmonton, Canada according to TheGarv.com.

Pavelich has reportedly been suspended by the Association of Boxing Commissions for “non-payment of fees owing to the commission” which will be lifted once he pays up.

The Garv.com was tipped off today that a member of Canada’s athletic commission filed a request to to the head of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) to officially suspend Mark Pavelich, president and promoter of Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC) for “non-payment of fees owing to the commission”.

6/17/10: It looks like the fees owed by Pavelich and MFC stem back to an event in February, and more than one attempt was made to arrange payment with no response from MFC. From what I understand, the suspension is officially in place, but will be lifted if Pavelich settles up. He’s expected to do so in the next few days.

The MMA News has interviewed the MFC president in the past, and is known for some of his colorful comments on the UG forums. Hopefully this won’t effect some of his promotions upcoming events such as the HeatXC show next month and the next MFC show in the fall, which he’s looking to hold in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada for anyone living in that area. That event should showcase an MFC middleweight title bout featuring BJJ specialist Thales Leites.