By WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca
The MFC has brought another former UFC middleweight into its fold, signing Dean Lister late last week to a multi-fight deal.
Lister will take on the recently-signed Thales Leites in the main event of MFC 23: Unstoppable on Dec. 4.
“This is an outstanding matchup and I am particularly pleased that both Dean and Thales agreed to fight each other so quickly — no discussion, no delays. Just signed, sealed and delivered,” MFC president Mark Pavelich said in a release. “It is a great fight. Both guys have a lot to prove and both guys want the MFC title belt. There’s a lot at stake in this fight and that’s when things get very interesting.”
In addition to Lister and Leites, the MFC has signed other top 185-pounders recently released by the UFC, including Jason MacDonald and Travis Lutter, who beat MacDonald by decision in the main event of the MFC’s last show.
Lister (11-6), from San Diego, is a talented submission fighter and a former Abu Dhabi world champion. He holds MMA victories over such notables as Jeremy Horn, Yuki Sasaki, and Alessio Sakara. Lister was cut by the UFC after dropping a decision to Yushin Okami in December.
The organization also announced Monday it had released its light-heavyweight champion Trevor Prangley for breach of contract. According to a release, the South African violated his contract by signing with two smaller organizations while under an exclusive contract with the `MFC.
The MFC said it warned his management of the violation after Prangley, who captured the 205-pound belt by defeating Emanuel Newton at MFC 21 in May, fought the first one outside the organization, a 20-second knockout victory over Dennis Reed at a Sept. 12 Arena Rumble event in Spokane, Wash.
“The MFC won’t sit on the sidelines while its fighters, especially our champions, violate our contracts and fight in smaller shows,” Pavelich said. “There is an exclusivity clause in the contracts for a reason.”
NOTES: Heat XC, the Edmonton-based promotion run by Pavelich’s son Dave, will hold its fourth show Friday, Nov. 6 at the River Cree Resort and Casino. Heat XC 4: Hysteria will be headlined by a matchup between former MFC light-heavyweight champion Roger Hollett of Halifax and Tulsa, Okla.’s Aron Lofton.
