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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.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The 24 mixed martial arts fighters all made weight for the historic STRIKEFORCE: Challengers fight card tomorrow/Friday, Feb. 26 on SHOWTIME® (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.

In the main event, unbeaten Sarah Kaufman (10-0) of Victoria, British Columbia and Takayo Hashi (12-1) of Tokyo, Japan, will collide in the first-ever STRIKEFORCE women’s world 135-pound (welterweight) championship. The eagerly awaited matchup is scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds.

Other fights on SHOWTIME (all slated for three, 5-minute rounds): Trevor Prangley (22-5) vs. Karl Amoussou (11-2-1) at 185 pounds; Luke Rockhold (6-1) vs. Paul Bradley (12-1) at 185 pounds; James Terry (7-1) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (7-2) at 170 pounds; and Raul Castillo (6-0) vs. Yancy Medeiros (4-0) at 185 pounds.

Tickets for the first STRIKEFORCE Challengers event of 2010, priced from $30, are on sale at The San Jose Civic Auditorium box office, Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com and STRIKEFORCE.com.

Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. and the first main card bout will begin at 8 p.m.

Below is a full set of weigh-in photos courtesy of Strikeforce and Esther Lin:

What the fighters said at Thursday’s weigh-in:

SARAH KAUFMAN

“I’m excited and honored to fight for STRIKEFORCE’s inaugural 135-pound women’s title. I just want to go out there, have fun, and make it the fight of the night. Don’t miss this fight. It could be over at any moment.’’

TAKAYO HASHI

“I am very honored to fight for STRIKEFORCE on SHOWTIME for the first 135-pound title for STRIKEFORCE. I feel I am representing Japan. I want to win the title for my career path, but I really want to bring this title back to motivate the female fighters of Japan.’’

TREVOR PRANGLEY

“I feel it’s a privilege to be able to do what I do. I thank God every day for blessing me this much.’’

LUKE ROCKHOLD

“I’m happy to be healthy. It was a hard camp and I’m injury prone but my health is great and I’m ready to get out there and show it. I’ve been working on my standup and takedown defense. My kickboxing has gotten really strong. I can’t wait to show it to the world.’’

PAUL BRADLEY

“Fatigue makes cowards out of us all. You won’t see any fatigue out of this guy. I’m ready.’’

TAREC SAFFIEDINE

“I trained hard for this fight. I made a lot of sacrifices for this fight and am excited to showcase my skills and do what I’ve trained so hard for.’’

YANCY MEDEIROS

”I’m proud to be a part of STRIKEFORCE and I’m here to represent Hawaii. I’m dedicating this to my Uncle Martin and Auntie Sheila Buell. A win for them and my family means everything.’’

EDMONTON (Feb. 25, 2010)—Super Channel, Canada’s only national pay television network, is proud to air Canadian Sarah Kaufman courtesy of SHOWTIME® as she headlines the STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event tomorrow/Friday, Feb. 26, in an effort to become the first STRIKEFORCE women’s welterweight (135 pounds) champion in history.

Kaufman (10-0, 2-0 in STRIKEFORCE), a former dancer turned undefeated MMA fighter, will fight Takayo Hashi (12-1) of Tokyo, Japan in a live HD offering on Super Channel beginning at 11 p.m. ET live from San Jose, Calif. The card also includes two middleweight (185 pounds) matchups – Trevor Prangley (22-5) vs Karl Amoussou (11-2-1), and Luke Rockhold (6-1) vs. Paul Bradley (12-1).

Though gaining respect and popularity, the sport of women’s MMA is still in its infancy. There are many firsts ahead for the athletes competing in the formative years of women’s combat sports. Nevertheless, some women have already made serious strides. One who has worked hard and attained numerous firsts is Victoria, British Columbia, Canada’s Kaufman.

At 17 years of age, Kaufman stumbled upon MMA when a school opened in the building where she was studying dance. She was supposed to meet a friend to check out ZUMA Martial Arts but the friend never showed and Kaufman went in anyway. Initially she enrolled in an aerobic kickboxing class but before long she was taking every class head instructor and BJJ black belt Adam Zugec offered.

Kaufman competed in tournaments to hone her skills and began fighting MMA professionally in 2006. Beginning her “road of women’s MMA firsts” was competing in the first women’s MMA bout held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, when she beat Alexis Davis by TKO at the Ultimate Cage Wars show in April 2007. Her bout at TKO 29 in June ‘07, where she beat Valerie Letourneau with strikes in the second round, was the first women’s bout in the promotion’s history.

Her follow-up fight that year, yet another first, was competing for and winning the first Hardcore Championship Fighting women’s bantamweight (135-pound) title. There she pounded the experienced Ginele Marquez, stopping her with strikes in the second round. Kaufman defended the title five months later, beating down Molly Helsel and scoring her seventh consecutive career victory by KO or TKO.

Kaufman made her STRIKEFORCE debut last May as a late replacement for Kim Couture (1-2, 1-1 in STRIKEFORCE) in a bout with Miesha “Takedown” Tate (8-2, 0-1 in STRIKEFORCE). In the opening round, Kaufman moved forward, landing lefts and rights and stuffing the takedown attempts of Tate to control the opening phase. In turn, Tate dominated the second period after getting an early takedown and controlling Kaufman on the mat for the majority of the round. In the third, Kaufman continued to stuff takedowns and landed a hard right hook midway through round. Kaufman dominated the remainder of the contest, landing strikes standing and on the ground, and took a unanimous decision victory.

Her second STRIKEFORCE bout last June was also her most recent “first.’’ It was the first women’s bout contested under five-minute rounds. In round 1, Shayna Baszler got an early takedown and applied a unique Josh Barnett-inspired choke but Kaufman worked hard, released the pressure and gained top position. Shayna was able to tie her up against the cage and avoid strikes in the clinch to close out the round. In the second, Baszler again worked to control in the clinch but Kaufman found the range with her strikes and began to strike effectively. Using leg kicks and superior in-and-out movement, Kaufman had her way in round 2 and closed the round with a flurry of strikes. The final round opened with Baszler’s frantic attempt to bring Kaufman to the mat. She successfully pulled guard but a follow-up sweep and subsequent kneebar attempt only led to Kaufman getting behind her and back to her feet. Kaufman’s confidence grew as she used distance effectively and flustered Baszler, tagging her at will. In the final 30 seconds, Baszler rolled for a kneebar but Kaufman stayed closed, avoided the submission and took a unanimous decision win to stay unbeaten.

At just 24 years old, Kaufman is 10-0 in a sport where many competitors don’t even have 10 fights under their belt. Now Kaufman prepares for the biggest first of her career; the STRIKEFORCE Women’s 135-pound title. She must take on a skilled grappler in Hashi. And if successful, the victory will serve as not only yet another in a long line of “firsts” but also as a historic achievement.