The Alberta based Maximum Fighting Championship kicks off its 2014 schedule Friday night with MFC 39: No Remorse. Emanating from the Edmonton Expo Centre, this event features two championship bouts and a number of fighters making their promotional debuts.
Headlining the night of fights is newly crowned heavyweight champion Anthony Hamilton (11-2) who makes the first defence of his title against The Ultimate Fighter season 10 member Darrill Schoonover (13-5). The 33-year-old Hamilton won the heavyweight title back at MFC 38 in October after knocking out Canadian Smealinho Rama. Despite the win, many pundits were critical of Hamilton’s performance against 21-year-old Rama as he struggled in the opening frame.
“Sure [Hamilton] has a lot to work on, but he’s working with Greg Jackson and has such a great team out [in Albuquerque, N.M.].” MFC President Mark Pavelich told Sportsnet.
“He trains with [UFC Heavyweight] Travis Browne and all these great fighters. I think he’s starting to realize that he is [as good as his teammates.]”
Currently riding a five-fight win streak, Hamilton faces off with 28-year-old Schoonover who makes his promotional debut. The MFC has a strict fighter signing policy that includes a fighter must have an exciting style, he must be coming off a win and he must have a good social media fan base. “The Boss” only had two of the three requirements in the MFC President’s books.
“I almost didn’t sign [Schoonover] because of his social media presence. I know that he can fight, he beat Paul Buentello and to me a win over [him] is that mark that makes you’re a tough guy in this sport.”
In the co-feature, Saskatchewan native Kurt Southern (13-4) faces off with Tom Gallicchio (17-8) for the vacant lightweight title. It was an easy decision for the organization to vacate the 155-pound strap as current lightweight kingpin Graham Spencer was battling injures and had made the decision to drop to featherweight.
“We all agree Southern is the best 155-pound fighter that’s not in the Zuffa organization,” Pavelich said. “For me he deserves to be in this situation and as does Gallicchio.”
While Pavelich isn’t picking favourites, no doubt he would love for the Canadian Southern to take home the belt in front of the Alberta crowd. That’s easier said than done looking back at the history of title fights in the MFC. Fellow Canucks Ryan Ford, Ryan McGillivray and Rama all failed in past championship fights. Either way, win or lose Friday night, it appears the Alliance MMA pupil looks to have a bright future in MMA.
“I know as a free agent [Southern] could have went to other places. He wanted to re-sign with the MFC for three more fights because he knew that’s what he needed to do for his career. Those are the kind of the fighters that go really far in the MMA world.”
Late replacement Markhaile “Showtime” Wedderburn (11-10) steps in to face Sean O’Connell (14-4) in a light-heavyweight affair. The Toronto native Wedderburn replaces the injured Victor Valimaki who bowed out due to injury on just a week’s notice. Pavelich initially reached out to former UFC fighter and fellow Canadian Kalib Starnes (16-8) but a deal couldn’t be reached.
Also making his MFC debut is TUF 17 contestant Gilbert Smith (7-2) who takes on Jason South (10-1) in a welterweight bout. Pavelich believes Smith is highly underrated and compares this signing to the one he made a year ago with fellow TUF alum Sam Alvey.
“100 per cent, I think Gilbert Smith is awesome. But I’m not doing him any favours [in the matchup with South]. I’m just doing the fans the favour.”
South meanwhile encountered the first blemish on his resume in a hard fought, five-round war with current middleweight champion Sam Alvey last October. Pavelich sees this as a very competitive matchup and believes welterweight is a much better fit for the American.
Also making his MFC debut is Marcus Edwards (5-2) who battles fellow promotional newcomer Sean Powers (8-3). Rounding out the main card is a pair of Canadians, as Vancouver’s Dan Ring (5-2) takes on Edmonton’s Andrew McInnes (3-1) in a lightweight tilt.
Here is the full fight lineup.
MAIN CARD
— Anthony Hamilton (11-2) vs. Darrill Schoonover (13-5)
— Kurt Southern (13-4) vs. Tom Gallicchio (17-8)
— Markhaile Wedderburn (11-10) vs. Sean O’Connell (14-4)
— Jason South (10-1) vs. Gilbert Smith (7-2)
— Marcus Edwards (5-2) vs. Sean Powers (8-3)
— Dan Ring (5-2-1) vs. Andrew McInnes (3-1)
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Cody Krahn (13-8) vs. Clay Davidson (8-5)
— Jared McComb (5-3-1) vs. Paul Grebinski (1-0)
