Round 1

For the past several years, the Maximum Fighting Championship has welcomed the holiday season with the Z-Files’ MFC year-end awards, generally focusing on the Top 10 Knockouts and Submissions.

This year, the awards return but with a few new twists. While the “Top” aspect is back for Knockouts, Submissions and Fights of the Year, the Z-Files has added a handful of one-off honors – tributes to individual fighters for making the 2011 memorable in one way or another.

Round 1 features the Top Submissions of the Year, and some of the new awards. Past winners of the MFC Submission of the Year are Jay Whitford, Ryan Machan, and last year’s top dog, Douglas Lima, while past honored nominees include John Alessio, Bobby Lashley, Roger Hollett, and David Heath.

Here are the MFC’s Top Submissions for 2011:

5. Andreas Spang def. Cody Krahn (MFC 30) – The noted striker Spang faced the well-documented submission specialist Krahn, but it was a complete reversal of game plans. Spang got Krahn in a guillotine choke, briefly let it go only to re-establish the lock, and ultimately forced a stunning tapout only 1:18 into the fight. The result earned Spang the Submission of the Night. See Spang’s surprising result at http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj8kc0_andreas-spang-vs-cody-krahn_sport.

4. Cody Krahn def. Ryan Chiappe (MFC 31) – Quite the turn of events for Krahn, who was again facing a hard-edged striker in Chiappe. It was all Chiappe early on, including some vicious ground-and-pound which very nearly brought a quick halt to the bout. But Krahn’s smooth transitioning, especially his quick scoot out the back door, turned the tide as did Krahn’s ability to capitalize on mistakes. At 3:45 of Round 1, Krahn was able to secure the fight-ending guillotine. Get a get glimpse of the finish at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gGBN0BV16c.

3. Kajan Johnson def. Richie Whitson (MFC 31) – This wasn’t just a great submission from the slick-working Johnson, but a clear definition of how a wizardly jiu-jitsu demonstration can dominate a fight. Johnson was all over Whitson from the get-go, taking his back repeatedly and grinding away towards the finish. With hooks in and full control established, Johnson torqued a rear-naked choke that squeezed what remaining will there was right out of Whitson. The fight-ending finish, and the Submission of the Night award, were both locked up at 3:52 of Round 1. All the action is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s80upq97FH4.

2. Pete Spratt def. Demi Deeds (MFC 29) – A previous winner of the MFC Knockout the Year, it seemed more likely that Spratt would have another shot at that award in facing the newcomer Deeds. But the crowd at Caesars Windsor and on HDNet were delightfully surprised when one of the MMA’s most vicious strikers, who had started to break down and punish Deeds with his fistic arsenal, seized the opportunity to end the fight with an armbar. It was textbook execution from Spratt who forced Deeds to tapout at the 4:19 mark of Round 2. Check out the whole fight at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHCwm-ot5k.

And the MFC’s 2011 Submission of the Year goes to …

Drew Fickett def. Matt Veach (MFC 28) – In the year’s first event, submission specialist Fickett made his organizational debut. It was short-lived yet spectacular experience, and the performance was evidence that there are few fighters in the world who work better off their back than “The Night Rider.” Fickett needed just 36 seconds to secure an armbar win over the larger Veach who despite the size advantage barely was able to get his feet wet before he was forced to bow out. It was MFC 28’s Submission of the Night, and ultimately, the year’s best tapout finish. Check out just how terrific Fickett’s work was at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu979mYs5uM.

Best Defense of Hometown Pride Award:

Ali Mokdad def. Andreas Spang (MFC 29) – It was only fitting that for the MFC’s first venture into Ontario that a fighter ready to hit the big stage in his own home town come up big. Windsor’s own Mokdad did just that when he took down the striker from Sweden and secured a dominant rear-naked choke that brought the fight to an end only 1:35 in. “The Monster” delighted his fervent followers who put forth quite the roar of approval inside The Colosseum.

Best Hometown Invader Award:

David Bo Harris def. Chuck Mady (MFC 29) – A border was in store when Windsor’s Mady attempted to fend off the advances of the Detroit-based Harris. But it wasn’t to be … in a big way. Harris executed his own game plan to perfection as he avoided Mady’s strikes, took down his opponent, and locked up the rear-naked choke 3:07 into Round 1.

Controversy of the Year Award:

“Headbutt Gate” (MFC 28) – Was it or wasn’t it? It’s an argument that still rages to this day whether Ryan Jimmo used a headbutt to get a dramatic advantage over Dwayne Lewis in their MFC light-heavyweight title fight. Lewis’s face was mangled by the contact (be it head or fist), and it led to a doctor’s stoppage TKO win for Jimmo. Lewis’s corner was enraged, and the heated opinions carried on when Jimmo debated HDNet Fights analyst Frank Trigg prior to MFC 29.

Z-Files: MFC’s 2011 Year-End Awards is a post from: CAGERADIO

If there’s anyone who knows how vital the care given at the Stollery Children’s Hospital is, it’s MFC fighter Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray.

So it’s only fitting that McGillivray has found a way to give back to the facility located in his home town of Edmonton, Alberta. McGillivray is awarding a chance to be in his corner at MFC 32: Bitter Rivals when he takes on Diego Bautista in one of the night’s highlighted bouts.

All that is necessary to get a shot at this exciting opportunity is to make a donation to the Stollery Children’s Hospital through McGillivray. Any size of donation is eligible, and all fans have to do is stop in at McGillivray’s gym, Legends Training Centre, and fill out a form with their donation. The form can also be found at www.legendstrainingcentre.com.

At this time of year, it’s a great chance to do something for kids who are going to be spending the holidays in the hospital. And McGillivray knows first-hand how difficult a long stay at the Stollery can be.

“I spent some time there when I broke my back, and they do so many good things there,” said McGillivray, who suffered the massive injury at 16 years old while playing lacrosse.

“In my mind, there’s no better cause to support than the Stollery, not only because I was a patient there, but also because I’m a father now and I would want the best care and comfort possible for my daughter if it was ever needed.”

McGillivray (11-5-1) will make the winning draw on Monday, Jan. 23, just five days before his showdown with Bautista (7-0) which takes places live on HDNet Fights from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton. The winner is invited to be on stage with McGillivray at the official weigh-in on Jan. 26, plus they will be in the locker room as he prepares for his fight, join the rest of his crew on the walkout to the ring, and enjoy the action from the corner.

“I always have a third person in my corner along with my dad and another coach,” said McGillivray. “Sometimes that third person is a sponsor or a friend, whoever I want it to be for that fight. But this time, I thought it would be a great way to raise some money, and I hope it’s a big success.”

For more details on McGillivray’s fundraising and corner contest, email info@legendstrainingcentre.com.

‘The Kid’ giving back to kids’ hospital is a post from: CAGERADIO

The Maximum Fighting Championship’s arduous search for a fitting opponent to take on Dhiego “Maluco” Lima at MFC 32: Bitter Rivals has come to fruition.

Stepping up to battle the undefeated welterweight prospect Lima (6-0) is judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno “BC” Carvalho, who has signed a multi-fight deal with the MFC. Carvalho (13-5), who was born in Brazil and now splits his home base between Sweden and the United States, has won eight of his last nine fights, and will be Lima’s toughest test to date when they square-off on main card of the HDNet Fights broadcast emanating live from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, January 27.

The HDNet broadcast, with Michael Schiavello and Frank Trigg handling the commentary, begins at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).

The matchup will be Carvalho’s first in North America, having predominantly fought throughout Europe in Sweden, Slovenia, Germany and the Netherlands, along with previous contests in South Korea and Brazil. The six-foot-one, 29-year-old holds five victories by knockout and five by submission, with five victories coming inside the first round.

Among Carvalho’s most notable victories are a second-round submission of Kyacey Uscola coming in April of this year, and a first-round knockout of Vitor Nobrega in March of 2010.

Lima is on a tear in 2011, racking up a pair of big wins and becoming the top contender for the MFC’s 170-pound division belt. In his last appearance, the Atlanta, Georgia, product needed only 2:47 to finish off Jamie Toney via knockout at MFC 30.

The MFC 32: Bitter Rivals main card lineup is complete with the following bouts:

Wilson Gouveia vs. Dwayne Lewis – light-heavyweight

Brian Cobb vs. Antonio McKee – MFC lightweight title

Diego Bautista vs. Ryan McGillivray – welterweight

Bruno Carvalho vs. Dhiego Lima – welterweight

Adam Lynn vs. Mukai Maromo – lightweight

Jamie Toney vs. Cody Krahn – welterweight

Tickets for MFC 32: Bitter Rivals are going fast and available exclusively via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

Carvalho charts course to meet Lima at MFC 32 is a post from: CAGERADIO

Manos: The Hands of Fate is recognized as one of the worst films of all time. In fact, it was so bad when it was released in 1966, it transformed itself from a sci-fi horror flick into a comedy cult classic for the ages. It’s baaaack.

Ryan “The Big Deal” Jimmo is recognized as one of the best fighters to come out of Canada. In fact, he is so good, he’s transformed his 0 – 1 record into a 16 – 1 record in a dangerous light heavyweight division. He’s baaaack.

What may be most exciting about the return of Manos and the return of Ryan Jimmo is they are doing it together. That’s right, MFC fans. Your light heavyweight champion is starring in the 2012 sequel of Manos. The new film is called Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge, and Jimmo says this time the Manos franchise is coming out with a high-quality product, “Rupert Munch, the director, wanted to make a sequel that’s a great movie. We have Gene Snisky and Marie Kanellis (both of WWE fame). We have special effects people who worked on X-men, Spiderman, AVP, and Hellboy. We have sound people who’ve worked with So You Think You Can Dance Malcolm in the Middle, Batman: Beyond, and American Idol. It’s going to be great.”

Soak it in for a minute. This is a B-grade cult classic sci-fi horror flick sequel starring former WWE superstars and MFC light heavyweight champion, Ryan Jimmo. The producer is shooting for high quality and bringing in the industry experts to make it happen. Do you even need to read more?

Jenna Jameson -Zombie Strippers

Either way, there’s more to read because Jimmo gave a sneak peek into the plot; although, he’s keeping some secrets until the release date, “The basis of the original movie was a hidden portal that people drove through by mistake. All these people go missing and end up in this place called Valley Lodge where there’s an evil and magical villain – The Master – and his harem of women. In the sequel, we head back in there and kick some evil polygamist cult ass.” Fans familiar with Jimmo, Snisky, and Kanellis can respect the type of evil ass-kicking bound to happen, and it’s hard to go wrong with a movie that involves a “harem of women,” especially when the director of photography, Jay Lee, produced and directed Zombie Strippers.

The team will be filming in El Paso, Texas, and it sounds like Jimmo is working hard to get the role down. It’s not all hard work, though. Some parts of the character come naturally to him, “My character, he’s a bad ass dude. He’s got a soft side, but he can kick ass, and he loves smoking cigars – just like I do.” Smoking cigars and beating down evil doers? It sounds like Jimmo’s acting and MMA careers are more similar than one might think. In fact, the MFC superstar finds a number of parallels in preparing for fights and preparing for movies.

Jimmo said success comes the same way no matter what you do in life, “In anything you’re going to do, the general principles are all the same. Whether it’s being an accountant, a chess player, or a fighter – any one of those pursuits requires the same thing. It requires understanding the landscape of what you’re doing, understanding what skills you need, building those skills until you achieve excellence, and putting in a lot of hard work.” That sounds like sound advice from a guy who just finished second in Alberta Provincials wrestling on top of a string of successes in theatre, breakdancing, and MMA. He plans to continue building on all those successes, and those standing in his way better watch out.

Fighters may think now is a good time to get after Jimmo with his focus being spread between fighting and acting, but opponents thinking about going for his belt better not get too comfortable figuring he’ll go soft filming a movie, “I’ve got a jiu jitsu coach right there on site.” The team working on this film are dedicated to MMA action and enlisted the aid of 5-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion Pedro Carvalho to choreograph the action sequences. In addition, Jimmo will have access to full gym facilities during shooting, and, really, it’s only a couple weeks at any given time.

Having access to training resources during shooting means Jimmo can destroy bad guys on film and then continue the destruction in the MFC ring, and although there are no signs of stopping his MMA career, he keeps a keen mind to the future, “I want to get into acting. After I’m a fighter, I want to be an actor.” Considering he’s already starring in this much-anticipated remake, the champ is off to a great start, and he has great backing behind him thanks to companies like the Maximum Fighting Championship, Good4You, and X-Factor.

Manos: The Search for Valley Lodge is scheduled for release in 2013, and fans can check out the movie’s Facebook page or website (www.torgolives.com) right now. Ryan Jimmo will be back in action soon as well; although, his next opponent has yet to be named. After a very close fight with Sokoudjou and a soon-to-be superfight occurring between Wilson Gouveia and Dwayne Lewis, fans can only speculate on who it might be. Regardless, The Big Deal will be making moves. He’ll be shooting the film, building on his MMA training, helping his fight camp team mates, and maybe working on some surprises for MFC fans in the future. His good character and excellence in everything he does make him a true champion of the people, and his positive attitude shone through again when asked if he would consider branching out to something way different, like testing his well-known breakdancing skills on So You Think You Can Dance.

“I would absolutely love to do that.”

Maximum Fighting Champ Ryan Jimmo going to the Movies is a post from: CAGERADIO

The Maximum Fighting Championship, Canada’s undisputed leader in mixed martial arts action, will make its much-anticipated debut on TSN2 with the premiere airing of MFC 31: The Rundown on Saturday, November 12.

MFC 31: The Rundown will air on TSN2 at 7 p.m. ET/5 p.m. MT/4 p.m. PT this Saturday (check local listings for channel designation). An encore presentation will air on Sunday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. MT/12:30 p.m. PT.

MFC 31 is the first event in a multi-fight agreement between the Maximum Fighting Championship and TSN2.

“I’m extremely pleased to have the Maximum Fighting Championship launch on TSN2,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“Fight fans across Canada are going to see the first-class production and presentation that the MFC is very proud, not to mention the outstanding lineup of fighters from MFC 31 who put on terrific performances including Kajan Johnson, Adam Lynn, and Mukai Maromo.

“I am delighted that our partnership with TSN2 is getting under way, and very excited about all the future events that will be seen.”

The MFC 31: Rundown card features the outstanding lightweight roster of the Maximum Fighting Championship including the showdown between “The African Assassin” Mukai Maromo and “The Persian Warrior” Sabah Fadai, the Knockout of the Night performance by Adam Lynn against Curtis Demarce, and “Ragin” Kajan Johnson’s tremendous showing against Richie “Hell Boy” Whitson and in the Main Event currant Light heavyweight MFC World Champion Ryan ” The Big Deal” Jimmo on a 16 fight win streak versus “The African Assassin Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

MFC set for debut on TSN2 is a post from: CAGERADIO

Jamie “The Ghost” Toney may be best known for his toughness. Let’s face it, the man has been stopped only twice in over 20 professional MMA fights. He’s had literally no amateur experience and very limited access to professional training as he started his fighting career. That being noted, fans may soon know him best for another reason. The Bas-Rutten-trained welterweight is also becoming a reality television star. That’s right, but don’t worry, he won’t be sliding around in mustard, solving gigantic crossword puzzles, or forming fake alliances with ditsy bikini models. It’s not that kind of reality TV. Instead, he’ll be hunting sharks in the depths of the ocean, stalking goats across hot lava rock terrain, and taking down wild boars.

Toney shot his new show, Project Dominion, recently, and the show will be airing on Wild TV and the Outdoor Channel starting December 26th. The show takes a group of travellers and drops them into various environments around Hawaii to hunt, fish, and travel. Viewers will see Toney along side Peter King, a former top-5 surfer in the world, and Dennis Deutsch, a private school principle who is an expert at anything to do with water and fishing. In talking about his show, Jamie Toney expresses the intensity of the experience, “It was unreal. They taught me how to surf, we hunted axis deer, we went cliff jumping and free diving, and we even caught sharks! If you can do it in Hawaii, we did it.”

Not everything went smoothly for the fighter and his crew during filming, however. Jamie almost lost a 3 round decision to the waves. “I almost drowned when we were out there,” explained Jamie, “There were 6’ swells that day. The water was rough…I was getting fatigued.” Despite the setback, the fighter jumped right back into action hunting wild boars.

Jamie made it to the MFC on a balanced record of victories by strikes and submissions, and he didn’t forget about wrestling practice while adventuring in Hawaii either. “I ended up wrestling a boar. I ran in behind it, grabbed its legs, wrestled it to the ground, and held it while the guide talked about it on camera.” The boar wasn’t in the mood for any lay and pray, however, it got up, turned around, and charged the guys. To find out what happens next, fans will have to check out the show.

His development stalking prey comes naturally to this veteran who started hunting from his early childhood. “My dad, he showed me how to hunt. It was something we bonded over. There’s a lot of things me and him don’t have in common, but hunting was something we could share together,” reminisces Toney, “My first gun that my dad bought me for Christmas was a 243.” These days, Jamie Toney has stepped up his firepower, “My favourite gun, which I own back in West Virginia, is a .300 Win Mag. When you shoot something with it, it goes down.”

Opponents better make no mistake. Toney explained he isn’t getting soft just because he’s out adventuring in Hawaii, “Patience and preparation are key in MMA and in hunting. Scouting a fighter is like hunting a bear. I need to know what a bear does, where it likes to roam, what it eats, and all its habits. Patience is essential in both. In hunting, if you make a wrong move, you scare off whatever you’re hunting. In fighting, making a wrong move can cost you the fight.”

As a fighter and a hunter, Jamie is a respectful man. His support for the sport runs deep in his blood, and he reached out to everyone in corporate North America during his interview with the MFC, “It’s really hard to work and be a full-time fighter. If there are companies out there open to it, they should get on board and sponsor some of these guys. If they can help out, help them out – especially these guys out there training hard. If I’d had sponsors early in my career, it would have been a totally different story on some of the outcomes of my fights.”

For a fan looking for a real dude to support in a fight, look no further than a respectful IBEW union electrician with his own adventure hunting show and a fighting style that makes him one of Bas Rutten’s favourite mixed martial artists. In talking about his upcoming fight at MFC 32, Toney sounds confident, “I go into every fight expecting to finish, and I don’t see this fight any other way. I’m going to finish this because that’s what I expect to do and what I train to do. It’s nothing against Cody. I’m not talking smack. That’s just the plan.”

On January 27th, fans can see how well Toney’s plan works during MFC 32 at the Mayfield Event Centre in Edmonton. You don’t hunt sharks or wrestle wild boars without some grit to back it up, so when Jamie steps up to face Cody Krahn, fans have to wonder who should be more concerned – his prey in the wild or his prey in the ring.

The Ghost and The Hunter is a post from: CAGERADIO

The Maximum Fighting Championship, Canada’s undisputed leader in mixed martial arts, is proud to announce that it is partnering with the nation’s No. 1 sports network.

Beginning with MFC 31: The Rundown, the MFC will be airing on TSN2 as part of a new, one-year content agreement. This is a prestigious development for the Maximum Fighting Championship as it joins TSN2’s stellar broadcast lineup that includes the National Hockey League, National Football League, NASCAR, Major League Soccer and curling.

MFC fight cards will air on TSN2 within 30 days of the original event date.

“There isn’t a bigger name in Canadian sports broadcasting than TSN, and having the Maximum Fighting Championship on TSN2 is a tremendously important step in our future plans,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“The MFC has long had a great relationship with TSN through ‘Off The Record with Michael Landsberg’ and TSN.ca. Now being a part of the broadcast lineup is massive progression for the Maximum Fighting Championship. We are particularly excited that our growing fan base in Ontario and Quebec will now be to see MFC events on Bell, Cogeco and Rogers.”

MFC signs with TSN2 is a post from: CAGERADIO

Over the past two years, Douglas Lima has gone from prospect to champion. Now he has his sights set on more gold, and as part of this season’s Bellator welterweight tournament, he’ll have an opportunity to earn a shot at more.

“I have a title in (MFC), and now I’m coming to get the other title in Bellator,” said Lima. “I’m training hard to give a great performance. I want people to keep watching me, keep the look out and keep supporting me.

“I’m just training harder and I’m getting better every day. I think in this tournament, I’ll be more ready than I was defending my title (in April against Terry Martin). I’m really ready to go.”

Coming into the tournament’s first round at Bellator 49 on Sept. 10 in Atlantic City, N.J., Lima is on a six-fight winning streak, leading many to feel he could be the tournament favorite, but he doesn’t see it that way.

“To have people behind me that think I’m the favorite, it makes me happy, but I don’t actually think there’s a favorite in this tournament,” he told MMAWeekly.com. “Everybody’s tough, have a good amount of fights, good experience; so there’s no favorite to me in this tournament.”

Even if he did feel he was the favorite, Lima explains that he’s not a fighter to let outside pressures get to him on fight night.

“I erase everything, and when I step in the cage, it’s just me and my opponent,” he said. “I don’t care who’s around; the only thing I’m concerned about is winning and having a good fight.

“I want to go in there, be exciting and finish the guy no matter what. I don’t want to leave it in the judges’ hands. Just concentrate and forget all the politics and everything else.”

Lima’s first test in Bellator comes in the form of Steve Carl who is currently 2-1 in the promotion.

“The guy’s pretty tough, and I’m not underestimating anybody in the tournament,” said Lima. “He wants the same thing I do, which is win the tournament and go after the belt. I know he’s coming hard, the same way I am, so it should be a good fight.

“I’m excited to go there and show what we have. It should be one not to miss.”

While Lima has been working hard to develop his game, his game plan, as always, remains the same.

“I’m an aggressive guy,” he said. “Every time I feel like I’m going to push the fight. That’s what I’m thinking of doing; nothing different; just go and try to finish the guy.”

As for the tournament format, Lima sees the positives in knowing what’s coming next.

“Of course, my main focus is Steve, but I know who everybody else is, I know their styles, so it should be easier in training,” he said. “I don’t have to be worried about who the next guy should be. I really like knowing and training this hard for it.”

Having progressed quickly over the last couple years, Lima has become a fighter to watch, and in his Bellator debut, he plans to have all eyes firmly affixed on him.

“I want to thank all my coaches and training partners, and everyone for their support,” he concluded. “I’m training really hard and I hope things work out on Sept. 10. I’m looking forward to the show and I promise you guys that I’m going to bring a really great fight.”

MFC Champ Douglas Lima Believes He’s Ready to Roll Through Bellator Tourney is a post from: CAGERADIO

Fickett was handed a first-round TKO defeat at the hands of Brian Cobb at MFC 30, and was then given permission to fight in Japan this past weekend. However, Fickett was dealt a second consecutive first-round knockout loss thereby nullifying his contract.

“Drew had the consent of the MFC to fight in Japan, but he and his management were expressly told that if he lost badly again he would be released, and therefore Drew has been released,” explained MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“I will not have guys coming and going from the MFC and thinking what they do in other organizations won’t have an effect on where they stand in the Maximum Fighting Championship. I have a lot of respect for Drew especially in the way he turned his life around and I wish him the best of luck in his future.”

Fickett was scheduled to be part of the lineup for the upcoming MFC 31 card.

MFC releases Fickett is a post from: CAGERADIO

The Maximum Fighting Championship will settle the issue of who is truly the undisputed lightweight champion as belt-holder Antonio “Mandingo” McKee will take on top-rated challenger Brian “The Bandit” Cobb at MFC 31.

McKee (25-4-2) has re-signed with the MFC and the reigning champ will defend his title for the second time when he faces Cobb (19-6), the No. 1 contender who is currently ranked ninth in the world by Fight Matrix. In the same rankings, McKee is seeded 33rd in the world (www.fightmatrix.com/mma-ranks/lightweight/).

The bout will headline the MFC 31 card on Friday, October 14 airing live on HDNet. The location and host venue for the event will be announced in the very near future.

“Antonio is back, but he’s walking right into the fire against Brian Cobb. He talked his way into this and now he’s going to have to back it up,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“Antonio needs to show that he still has a burning desire to compete. That’s been called into question by many people and that’s why for a time he was no longer considered our champion because there was this doubt that he was still interested in competing. Now he has the shot to prove everyone wrong.”

McKee will certainly be facing his toughest MFC test in Cobb, who had a spectacular debut in the organization at MFC 30. Cobb stretched his winning streak to four with a stunning first-round TKO victory over Drew Fickett – a defeat which stopped Fickett’s five-fight winning streak and halted his quest for a title shot.

“Brian Cobb is one of the best lightweights in the world, there’s no doubt about that,” added Pavelich. “His effort against Fickett was sensational –turning the bout around in a split-second and then finishing it in a big way.

“Brian is dedicated, he is fierce, and he is on a roll. That’s a very dangerous combination of factors working in his favor.

“McKee said that he would retire if he was forced to go to a decision against Luciano Azevedo. I don’t think Brian Cobb is going to give him that option. This may very well be a forced retirement.”

Before entering the MFC, Cobb, who fights out of Bakersfield, California, and is the assistant wrestling coach at California State University-Bakersfield, picked up notable career wins over Kazunori Yokota and Diego Saraiva.

McKee, who fights out of Lakewood, California, claimed the MFC lightweight title at MFC 20 with a resounding decision win over Derrick Noble. He would go on to topple Carlo Prater at MFC 22 (non-title fight after Prater missed weight), and then defend his title in convincing fashion with a first-round stoppage of Luciano Azevedo at MFC 26.

McKee also boasts notable career wins over Marcus Aurelio and Edwin Dewees.

Further details on MFC 31 including more matchups will be revealed shortly at www.mfc.tv.

‘Bandit’ has shot to steal from McKee is a post from: CAGERADIO