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“MFC 26: Retribution” went down at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sept. 10th.

The full results recap for MFC 26 is as follows:

Main Card

Welterweight bout: Douglas Lima def. Ryan Ford via submission (armbar) – R2 @ 0:48
MFC Lightweight Championship bout: Antonio McKee def. Luciano Azevedo via TKO (doctor stoppage) – R1 @ 3:11
Middleweight bout: Jesse Taylor def. Tom Watson via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Light Heavyweight bout: Dwayne Lewis def. Mike Nickels via TKO (punches) – R1 @ 1:30
Middleweight bout: David Heath def. Solomon Hutcherson via KO (strikes) – R2 @ 3:46
Lightweight bout: Curtis Demarce def. Tyson Steele via submission (triangle choke) – R2 @ 4:09

Preliminary Card

Middleweight bout: Ford Robertson def Steve Fader via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight bout: Aaron Berke def. Ryan Ballingall via submission (rear naked choke) – R2 @ 0:35
Lightweight bout: Chad Freeman def. Theo Brisley via submission (armbar) – R1 @ 3:04

Press Release

It wasn’t the homecoming party that Ryan Ford wanted, but it was the coming out party that Douglas Lima deeply desired.

Stunning a vastly partisan crowd in his opponent’s home town, Lima (15-4) scored a second-round submission victory over Ford (12-3) in the co-main event of MFC 26: Retribution held Friday night at the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta, and live on HDNet Fights.

Following an exciting back-and-forth opening round, Lima found Ford’s arm dangling after a takedown and smoothly transitioned into a tapout finish at the 48-second mark of the middle frame. From once unknown to instant title contender, it was a perfect turn of events for the ATT Atlanta product.

“I want the belt now,” declared Lima, who also secured the Submission of the Night award. “I was promised if I win this fight they will give me a title shot. That’s what I want – please.”

The victory was Lima’s third straight and put a halt to Ford’s four-fight string of success while also souring the much-ballyhooed return of Ford to the MFC where his promising career began.

While Lima positioned himself in the welterweight title picture, reigning MFC lightweight champ Antonio McKee left no doubt as to who wears the biggest crown in the organization. Much-maligned for his “boring” style and vowing to retire if his opponent could last the five-round distance with him, McKee (25-3-2) punished Brazilian foe Luciano Azevedo (16-9) with a wicked slam and then proceeded to demolish him with relentless ground-and-pound.

Two devastating elbows strikes carved a huge gash in Azevedo’s forehead and a after a brief check by the ringside physician, referee Frank Geric waved the fight to a rightful stoppage just 3:11 into the opening stanza. The victory was just McKee’s third TKO win of his career and the Lakewood, California, product not only retained his belt but remains unbeaten in his past 15 fights spanning seven years. Though only seven of his 25 career wins have been of the non-decision variety, this decisive verdict should serve some notice to McKee’s many critics that he can truly be an entertaining finisher.

“Whoever the MFC puts in front of me next, I’ll whoop their ass too,” said McKee. “I guess it’s not true – you can teach an old dog new tricks. And I want to thank (HDNet commentator) Guy Mezger for bringing the best out of me.”

Two other fighters made serious impacts at MFC 26, both ending their respective bouts with impressive knockouts. Despite spending much of the first round on his back, David Heath sent foe Solomon Hutcherson back to his corner after the opening five minutes with badly bleeding – and likely broken – nose. That was only the tip of the damage iceberg that was in store for Hutcherson.

Heath (16-6) brought a huge roar from the capacity crowd when he opened Round 2 with a spinning backfist that very nearly dropped Hutcherson. And moments later, Heath did put Hutcherson (11-7) down for good with a well-placed right hand and follow-up hammerfists that brought an explosive ending to the fight at 3:46 of the second round. The result, which garnered Knockout of the Night kudos for the Tulsa, Oklahoma, native, was particularly noteworthy for Heath as it was his first test in the middleweight ranks, dropping down from light heavyweight. While there’s still work to be done, Heath served notice that he is a serious threat in search of a title belt.

The same can also now likely be said of Dwayne Lewis, who redeemed himself for a poor showing at MFC 25 against Emanuel Newton by taking out Mike Nickels only 1:30 into their 205-pound contest. Lewis (12-5) dropped Nickels (8-4) twice with short uppercuts in the clinch and then pounded down Nickels for good with more sharp and heavy shots. Lewis, one of the organization’s most-popular figures, made a clear-cut case for a new multi-fight contract with his most-impressive outing since dusting off Marvin Eastman at MFC 23.

In another middleweight bout, Jesse “JT Money” Taylor (16-6) didn’t inflict a lot of damage, but kept positional advantage and went after enough submissions to easily pull away from brash Brit Tom “Kong” Watson. While his ring entrance electrified the crowd, Watson (12-4) was unable to unleash his vaunted striking attack under the relentless wear of Taylor’s well-executed game plan. All three judges scored the bout 30-26 in Taylor’s favour – Watson having been deducted one point in Round 1 for holding the ropes during takedown attempts.

The night’s televised card opened with two of the MFC’s newest young guns squaring off and it was Curtis Demarce (11-7) using a slick triangle choke to coax the tapout from Tyson Steele (6-1) at the 4:09 mark of Round 2.

Other results:

Ford Robertson def. Andrew Buckland – unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Aaron Berke def. Ryan Ballingall – tapout via rear-naked choke, 0:35 Round 2
Chad Freeman def. Theo Brisley – tapout via armbar, 3:04 Round 1

The MMA News will be ringside for Maximum Fighting Championships latest event, “MFC 26: Retribution” this evening from the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The live action starts at approx. 8 PM EST (5 PM PST) with the unaired preliminary card. The live HDNet broadcast will start at 10 PM EST (7 PM PST) and The MMA News will be there providing live results for the event.

The event is headlined by a MFC lightweight title defense by champion Antonio McKee who puts his ten fight win streak on the line against Luciano Azevedo when both men step into the ring. The co-main event sees the return of Canadian welterweight Ryan Ford to the MFC and will face Douglas Lima.

Hosting the MFC broadcast duties will be HDNet Fights announce team which will feature “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg.

The MMA News will be providing live ‘Quick Results’ of the event as well as live Tweets from ringside.

The full “MFC 26: Retribution” weigh-ins are as follows:

Main Card

Welterweight bout: Douglas Lima def. Ryan Ford via submission (armbar) – R2 @ 0:48
MFC Lightweight Championship bout: Antonio McKee def. Luciano Azevedo via TKO (doctor stoppage) – R1 @ 3:11
Middleweight bout: Jesse Taylor def. Tom Watson via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Light Heavyweight bout: Dwayne Lewis def. Mike Nickels via TKO (punches) – R1 @ 1:30
Middleweight bout: David Heath def. Solomon Hutcherson via KO (strikes) – R2 – 3:46
Lightweight bout: Curtis Demarce def. Tyson Steele via submission (triangle choke) – R2 @ 4:09

Preliminary Card

Middleweight bout: Ford Robertson def Steve Fader via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight bout: Aaron Berke def. Ryan Ballingall via submission (rear naked choke) – R2 @
Lightweight bout: Chad Freeman def. Theo Brisley via submission (armbar) – R1 @ 3:04

The weigh-ins for Maximum Fighting Championships latest event, “MFC 26: Retribution” went down at the City Centre Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada today at 1430 PM EST (1130 AM PST).

Hosting the weigh-ins were HDNet Fights announce team of “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg. Both men will also be ringside performing their duties for Friday’s HDNet broadcast.

“MFC 26: Retribution” will take place at the River Cree Resort and Casino on Friday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The event begins at approx. 8PM EST (5PM PST), with the live HDNet broadcast beginning at 10 PM EST (7 PM PST).

The event is headlined by a MFC lightweight title defense by champion Antonio McKee who puts his ten fight win streak on the line against Luciano Azevedo when both men step into the ring. The co-main event sees the return of Canadian welterweight Ryan Ford to the MFC and will face Douglas Lima.

Fans can find more event details at MaximumFighting.com.

The full “MFC 26: Retribution” weigh-ins are as follows:

Main Card

MFC Lightweight Championship bout: Antonio McKee (154.4) vs. Luciano Azevedo (154.2)
Welterweight bout: Douglas Lima (170.8) vs. Ryan Ford (169.4)
Middleweight bout: Tom Watson (182.8) vs. Jesse Taylor (185)
Light Heavyweight bout: Mike Nickels (204.2) vs. Dwayne Lewis (204.6)
Middleweight bout: David Heath (184.6) vs. Solomon Hutcherson (185)
Lightweight bout: Curtis Demarce (154.6) vs. Tyson Steele (155.4)

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight bout: Adam Rabidoux (184.4) vs. Taylor Bull (183.6)
Welterweight bout: Ryan Ballingall (176.4) vs. Aaron Berke (177.2)
Lightweight bout: Theo Brisley (153.2) vs. Chad Freeman (155)

HT: MMACanada.net for the weigh-in results

The Maximum Fighting Championship is excited to present its most highly anticipated and action-packed lineup for MFC 26: Retribution and we are extending an invitation to the media to attend the official press conference for the event.

The press conference will take place on Tuesday, September 7 at 3 p.m. at Lexus of Edmonton (11204-170 Street, 780-466-8300).

MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich will be the featured speaker at the press conference and he will be alongside the biggest names on the card including the co-main event participants.

In one half of the co-main event, home-grown MFC product Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (12-2) returns to the organization where he gained his most fame to take on rising American Top Team standout Douglas Lima (14-4). In the other half of the co-main event, MFC lightweight champion Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (23-3-2), who has spectacularly gone seven years without being beaten, defends his title against Brazilian submission star Luciano Azevedo (16-8), the only man to defeat pound-for-pound top-10 fighter Jose Aldo. McKee has vowed to retire if Azevedo is able to take him the full five-round distance.

Also in attendance will be unquestionably one of the MFC’s most-popular fighters in heavy-handed Dwayne Lewis (11-5). The Fort McMurray, Alberta, product will take on Mike Nickels (8-3), co-winner of the MFC’s 2009 Fight of the Year, in one of the featured bouts that will be airing live card on HDNet Fights throughout North America.

The live fight card will take place on Friday, September 10 at the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta. The MFC 26: Retribution card is one of the best lineups ever put together for a Maximum Fighting Championship event. The remainder of the televised fight card features:

Jesse “JT Money” Taylor (15-6) vs. Tom “Kong” Watson (12-3), middleweight

“King” Solomon Hutcherson (11-6) vs. David Heath (15-6), middleweight

Curtis “The Demon” Demarce (10-7) vs. Tyson Steele (6-0), lightweight

The undercard will feature four fights.

The Maximum Fighting Championship announces a stacked lineup for it’s Sept. 10th main card event in Edmonton, Canada. The event will be shown live on HDNet (check local listings) and features a MFC lightweight title bout between champ Antonio McKee vs. Luciano Azevedo.

Here’s the full MFC Press Release

A power-packed lineup of talented fighters including many of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s biggest names is set for action at the highly anticipated MFC 26: Retribution.

This is the formal announcement of the final card for the event slated on Friday, Sept. 10 at the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta.

Before the live crowd and the millions watching throughout North America on HDNet Fights, MFC 26: Retribution will be one of the most action-filled events in the history of the Maximum Fighting championship. The event begins at 6:15 p.m. MT with the televised main card starting at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for HDNet channel designation).

MFC 26: Retribution will feature two high-impact bouts that will share co-main event status. In the night’s finale, homegrown MFC standout Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (12-2), a two-time challenger for MFC welterweight championship, returns on his quest for championship gold as he takes on American Top Team star Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (14-4).

Ford, an Edmonton, Alberta product, has built up a massive fan following thanks to his aggressive style and he will be out to extend his current four-fight winning streak. Lima, a native of Brazil now fighting out of Atlanta, Georgia, is a submission specialist who is eying a shot at the MFC crown.

In the night’s other co-main event, legendary veteran Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (23-3-2) not only puts his MFC lightweight title on the line but also his very career when he takes on Brazilian talent Luciano Azevedo (16-8), the only man to hold a win over pound-for-pound top-10 fighter Jose Aldo.

McKee, who fights out of Lakewood, California, has not been defeated in seven years, but stated clearly that he will retire from competition should he not finish Azevedo inside the five-round distance. Azevedo, a native of Rio de Janeiro, has taken to the challenge and vowed to end McKee’s career and secure the title around his own waist.

The remainder of the televised card is stacked with the MFC’s finest including a pair of middleweight bouts that promise to be explosively entertaining.

First up, brash British striker Tom “Kong” Watson (12-3) takes on hard-charging American wrestler Jesse “JT Money” Taylor (15-6) in a true matchup of clashing styles. Watson, who hails from Southampton, England, made a dynamic organizational debut scoring a first-round, head-kick knockout of Travis Galbraith at MFC 24, and he wants to follow that up with a win that will assure him a title shot. Taylor, who fights out of Murietta, California, is looking to get back to winning ways following his submission loss to Thales Leites at MFC 25, and the former reality show standout is determined to leave his mark on Watson.

In the other middleweight clash, two rugged customers will meet head-to-head as “King” Solomon Hutcherson (11-6) takes on David Heath (15-6). Hutcherson, who fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has made a name for himself with MFC fans for his never-say-die attitude, and the former reality show contender is eager to prove his worth. Heath, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma who will be making his first venture into the 185-pound ranks, is always ready for battle and was a co-recipient of the MFC Fight of the Year for 2009.

A light heavyweight matchup is also featured on the main card as ultra-popular Fort McMurray, Alberta, native Dwayne Lewis (11-5) matches up against Mike Nickels (8-3) of Denver, Colorado. The heavy-handed Lewis is on the cusp of big things in the MFC’s 205-pound division but needs to return to the formula that earned him a seven-fight winning streak prior to a unanimous decision loss to former light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton at MFC 25. Nickels, a jiu-jitsu expert who has no problems standing toe-to-toe with his foes, was a co-recipient of the MFC Fight of the Year for 2009 and is eager to strut his stuff again.

Opening the HDNet Fights televised card is a showdown of lightweights pitting Curtis “The Demon” Demarce (10-7) against undefeated rising star Tyson “The Man Of” Steele (6-0). Both fighters are making their organizational debuts and hoping to leave a strong first impression on the big stage.

The MFC 26: Retribution undercard features a number of up-and-coming fighters in the following bouts:

Middleweight – Steve Fader (2-1) Calgary, Alberta vs. Ford Robertson (2-0) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Light Heavyweight – Adam Rabidoux (1-1) Edmonton, Alberta vs. Taylor Bull (2-2), Hobbema, Alberta

Catchweight – Ryan Ballingall (3-3) Nanaimo, B.C. vs. Aaron Berke (4-2) Kamloops, B.C.

Lightweight – Theo Brisley (3-2) Nanaimo, B.C. vs. Chad Freeman (5-3) Kamloops, B.C.

Tickets for MFC 26: Retribution are going fast and are available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000 and www.ticketmaster.ca.

Press Release

Mike Nickels, co-winner of the 2009 Maximum Fighting Championship’s Fight of the Year, is stepping in to replace an injured Wilson Gouveia for a showdown against Dwayne Lewis at MFC 26: Retribution.

The owner of the Colorado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy returns to the MFC fold for the first time since he squared-off against David Heath at MFC 22 last October. A surprising stand-up war electrified the sold-out crowd and earned the nod as the organization’s best bout of the year. Nickels eventually posted the victory, coaxing a third-round submission out of Heath via rear-naked choke.

Nickels (8-3) is a renowned jiu-jitsu practitioner, earning six of victories via tapout. The six-foot-four Denver native, who holds a brown belt in BJJ, won gold at the 2005 Pan-Am Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

Lewis (11-5), a product of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and one of the MFC’s most popular fighters, had his seven-fight winning streak stopped at MFC 25 in May when he dropped a unanimous decision to former MFC light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton. Prior to that loss, Lewis’s run of success had included a savage first-round knockout of veteran Marvin Eastman.

Gouveia steps aside due to a back injury.

“I’m disappointed that Gouveia had to pull out but the MFC did an excellent job with a replacement. Nickels is a tough opponent and stylistically we match up great,” offered Lewis.

“But that being said . I will still knock him out.”

Tickets for MFC 26: Retribution slated for Friday, Sept. 10 at the River Cree Resort and Casino are on sale now via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000 and claiming to be www.ticketmaster.ca.

Press Release

Mike Nickels, co-winner of the 2009 Maximum Fighting Championship’s Fight of the Year, is stepping in to replace an injured Wilson Gouveia for a showdown against Dwayne Lewis at MFC 26: Retribution.

The owner of the Colorado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy returns to the MFC fold for the first time since he squared-off against David Heath at MFC 22 last October. A surprising stand-up war electrified the sold-out crowd and earned the nod as the organization’s best bout of the year. Nickels eventually posted the victory, coaxing a third-round submission out of Heath via rear-naked choke.

Nickels (8-3) is a renowned jiu-jitsu practitioner, earning six of victories via tapout. The six-foot-four Denver native, who holds a brown belt in BJJ, won gold at the 2005 Pan-Am Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

Lewis (11-5), a product of Fort McMurray, Alberta, and one of the MFC’s most popular fighters, had his seven-fight winning streak stopped at MFC 25 in May when he dropped a unanimous decision to former MFC light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton. Prior to that loss, Lewis’s run of success had included a savage first-round knockout of veteran Marvin Eastman.

Gouveia steps aside due to a back injury.

“I’m disappointed that Gouveia had to pull out but the MFC did an excellent job with a replacement. Nickels is a tough opponent and stylistically we match up great,” offered Lewis.

“But that being said . I will still knock him out.”

Tickets for MFC 26: Retribution slated for Friday, Sept. 10 at the River Cree Resort and Casino are on sale now via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000 and claiming to be www.ticketmaster.ca.

Press Release

The Maximum Fighting Championship announced today that MFC 26: Retribution slated for Friday, Sept. 10 on HDNet Fights has been moved from the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, to the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta.

The event’s lineup remains intact with the co-main events of Ryan Ford vs. Douglas Lima in welterweight action, and Antonio McKee defending his MFC lightweight title against Luciano Azevedo.

“We are excited to be returning to the River Cree Resort and Casino and are looking forward to a spectacular sold-out show at a first-class venue,” stated MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“The move from Brandon was made for business reasons. The MFC is one of the very few mixed martial arts organizations that is a profitable company and we intend on keeping it that way. What we realized was that several business aspects in Brandon were not turning out favorable results so it was a decision that had to be made.

“I can’t wait for the fans’ reaction to seeing Ryan Ford returning to the MFC in his home town, the ‘Lewis Army’ getting a chance to see Dwayne Lewis in action close to his home, and the entire lineup of fighters doing what they do best in front of a jam-packed, revved-up crowd.”
The MFC also took time to offer its appreciation to key sources.

“I would to acknowledge and thank Kevan Schell, the General Manager of River Cree, for doing this deal with us on short notice, and Andrew Simon, the CEO of HDNet Fights, for readily agreeing to the change of venue,” noted Pavelich.

“As well, my staff and I are looking forward to working with the knowledgeable personnel from the River Cree Combative Sports Commission. We have put our differences from past behind us, and I would like to thank Dale Kliparchuk and Al MacKechnie for their efforts and professionalism in arranging the sanctioning for MFC 26 in just a matter of hours.”

Included on the HDNet Fights televised card are two hotly anticipated middleweight clashes pitting brash British striker Tom Watson against American wrestler Jesse Taylor, and rugged Solomon Hutcherson taking on hard-charging David Heath.

The remainder of the lineup including an undercard featuring several top-notch, up-and-coming standouts will be announced shortly.

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.