Ryan (The Real Deal) Ford has an opponent for his return fight in the MFC.
Ford, returning to the organization where he first got his name after a year-and-a-half absence, will take on American Top Team product Douglas (The Phenom) Lima in the co-main event of MFC 26: Retribution, Sept. 10 in Brandon, Man.
The event, which will be held in Westman Place at the Keystone Centre, was already headlined by a MFC lightweight title bout between champion Antonio (Mandingo) McKee and Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Luciano Azevedo.
“For the remainder of 2010 and into 2011, the Maximum Fighting Championship’s top priority will be making its own stars,” MFC president Mark Pavelich said in a release. “Ryan Ford and Douglas Lima have a great opportunity in the MFC to become internationally known hot commodities, and the same goes for guys like Luciano Azevedo, Tom Watson, and Ryan Jimmo. Even Antonio McKee, who has an incredible record and has not lost in seven years, can really step forward and make his name bigger than it has ever been before.”
Ford (12-2) is a former two-time challenger for the MFC welterweight title, falling both times to Pat Healy, the only two blemishes on his record. The Edmonton native is riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a first-round submission over The Ultimate Fighter competitor Tommy Speer in March in his fourth fight with The Fight Club, the rival promotion Ford joined following a contract dispute with the MFC.
The Edmonton native began his mixed martial arts career under the MFC banner in 2007 and catapulted to the top of the ranks with his aggressive, crowd-pleasing style.
Lima (14-4) has earned stoppage victories in 12 of his victories — four by knockout and eight by submission. The Goainia, Brazil, native, who has signed a three-fight contract with the MFC, trains under top-rated trainer Roan Carneiro at American Top Team’s Atlanta operation and is also an instructor at the camp.
“I don’t know much him, but it should be a good fight, he’s 14-4,” said Ford, who added he’s happy for the opportunity to fight in Brandon. “Sometimes I feel I need to get away from Edmonton and build new fans. But my fans in Edmonton are still going to be able to watch it on HDNet, so that’s good.
“And I’m sure I’ll have people on my side in Brandon since I am the Canadian.”
McKee (24-3-2), meanwhile, has made a bold declaration entering his bout against Azevedo, declaring he will retire from MMA if his opponent even lasts the full five rounds, let alone beats him for the 155-pound belt.
“I’ve said before that I will fight differently but I was still be cautious. Not anymore,” McKee said. “I am going to destroy Azevedo … I will mess him up. If it goes to a decision, I will leave my gloves in the ring and walk away.”
Azevedo (16-8), a native of Rio de Janeiro, is an accomplished competitor, and the only fighter to earn a victory over WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. When the two met in 2005, Azevedo scored a rear-naked choke victory — a crowning achievement for the 26-year-old who just four months later would go on to defeat reputed striker Din Thomas.
Azevedo, who will be making his debut on North American soil at MFC 26, has won six of his last eight fights and holds 12 submission victories in his career.
In other action, British star Tom (Kong) Watson (12-3) will clash with former TUF standout Jesse (JT Money) Taylor (15-6), Fort McMurray, Alta.’s Dwayne Lewis will face Wilson Gouveia and the live televised card on HDNet will kick off with a showdown between (King) Solomon Hutcherson and David Heath.
