Ryan (The Big Deal) Jimmo will defend his MFC light-heavyweight belt for the second time Friday — his first time in front of his home fans.
The New Brunswick native, who fights out of Edmonton, takes on former UFC fighter Rameau Thierry (The African Assassin) Sokoudjou in the main event of MFC 31: The Rundown at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Alberta’s capital.
Jimmo (15-1), who defeated Dwayne Lewis at MFC 28 to claim the championship, is coming off a successful five-round decision over Zak Cummings in April in Windsor at the MFC’s debut event in Ontario.
He is riding a 15-fight winning streak, the second-longest in all of mixed martial arts.
Meanwhile, Sokoudjou (12-8), a native of Cameroon who fights out of San Diego, enters the MFC for the first time riding a three-fight winning streak and presents the biggest test to Jimmo’s career having already captured notable victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, and Bob Sapp.
The MFC 31 card also marks the return of the organization’s hottest prospect as Dhiego (Maluco) Lima (6-0) looks to take one more step towards a shot at the MFC welterweight title when he faces iron-tough veteran Terry Martin (21-9). Lima, who fights out of Atlanta, and is coming off a first-round knockout finish of Jamie Toney at MFC 30, has vowed to finish Martin faster than his brother and former MFC welterweight champ Douglas Lima did at MFC 29.
A trio of exciting lightweight fights will anchor the MFC 31 card including the most anticipated clash pitting devastating striker Richie (Hell Boy) Whitson (11-1) against electrifying (Ragin) Kajan Johnson (18-11-1).
In another lightweight tussle, crowd favorite Curtis (The Demon) Demarce (11-9) squares off against organizational newcomer and former U.S. Marine Adam Lynn (16-8).
