Rematches and a clearer framework of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s title picture were the end results of a wild night of action at MFC 33: Collision Course.

Held before a sold-out crowd at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and live on HDNet Fights across the United States, MFC 33 was topped by a dominant performance from Nathan “Soul Force” Coy whose relentless attack proved to be far too much for Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray in their showdown for the MFC welterweight title.

Coy (11-4) savagely took apart McGillivray, bloodying him up by the end of the Round 1 and continuing to bash his opponent over the course of the next two frames. Referee Jerin Valel threatened to stop the bout on numerous occasions and had the ringside physician look over McGillivray three times. Finally at the end of Round 3, the doctor had seen enough and McGillivray (12-6-1) could take no more punishment from Coy’s ground-and-pound assault.

With the TKO stoppage, Coy, who trains out of the American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek, Florida, becomes the third title-holder of the MFC’s welterweight crown in the organization’s history.

“Exactly as I planned,” said Coy. “I’m very proud to wear this belt. Ryan’s a tough kid but my plan was to break him down and that’s what I did.”

Coy, who has now won three straight, will defend his title against an as-yet-to-be-named opponent at MFC 34: Brute Force on Friday, August 10.

Another title fight – this one in the lightweight division – has also been set for MFC 34 but under much different circumstances.

While the bout between “The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo and Adam Lynn will definitely go down as one of the MFC’s all-time best, it certainly ended on a highly controversial note. Maromo was handed a split-decision victory over Lynn much to the chagrin of those in attendance and in particular HDNet Fights color commentator Pat Miletich who called it “the worst decision I have ever seen.”

MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich and his staff quickly sought remedy for the situation, and announced that an immediate rematch would take place at MFC 34, but this time around, the organization’s lightweight title would be at stake. Maromo (7-2) will take a four-fight winning streak into the sequel, while Lynn (17-9) saw his six-fight streak come to a dubious end.

The rematch theme will continue on another front following a barn-burner that opened the HDNet Fights broadcast between middleweights Derek “The Lion” Parker and Jared McComb. Parker relied on his pugilistic background from hockey while McComb looked to exploit his foe’s inexperience. In the end both fighters were battered and bruised, and a first-round foul for an illegal upkick assessed to Parker resulted in a score of 28-28 from all three judges.

Parker (3-0-1) and McComb (4-1-1) will square-off again at MFC 34, as will lightweights Sabah Fadai and Diego Bautista after their battle at MFC 33 was halted just one minute in. Fadai (7-2) was guilty of a kneeing a downed opponent, and with Bautista (7-1) deemed unable to continue, the bout was declared a no-contest.

Also coming away victorious on the main card of MFC 33 was submission specialist Luke Harris, who picked up his ninth straight win and ninth in a row coming inside the first round by way of tapout as he stopped Edwin Dewees.

The well-traveled Dewees (37-16) did cause a momentary panic when he connected with a quick left hook to Harris’ jaw, but a spectacular judo toss by Harris (9-1) turned the fight in his favor and he rendered the verdict just 2:05 in with a guillotine choke.

Other results:

Jamie Toney (16-7) def. Andrew Buckland (15-9-1) – Unanimous decision

Matt Jelly (3-1) def. Garrett Nybakken (3-5) – Tapout via armbar, 2:01 Round 1

Josh Kitchen (5-1) def. Mike Scarcello (2-2-1) – Tapout via triangle choke, 2:27 Round 1

Tickets for MFC 34: Brute Force, featuring the return of the MFC’s heavyweight division with Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague, go on sale Monday, May 7. Tickets are exclusively available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 5040-2024.

For more information and interview requests, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media and Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship

(780) 914-5813

scott@maximumfighting.com

Follow me on Twitter @scottmaxfight

Coy claims MFC welterweight crown Lynn, Maromo will rematch for lightweight title at MFC 34 is a post from: CAGERADIO

Hailing from Twin Falls, Idaho, Flynn is known for coming at his opponents quickly and aggressively. He recently submitted Edwin “Babyface” Dewees in 44 seconds. His live-by-the-sword-die-by-the-sword mentality has seen all but one of his fights end in a submission.

At 33, Flynn is looking for an immediate challenge in his new MMA home: “I want to fight tough guys, and I know a lot of guys say that, but I truly want those tough fights. I want to challenge myself.” Although his first opponent is yet to be announced, the MFC’s middleweight division has a number of fighters ready to give Flynn the challenge he’s looking for. The undefeated Brendan Kornberger is coming off a first round TKO and looks hungry for a new challenge, and the potential for a jiu jitsu showdown between Jacen Flynn and Thales Leites is very intriguing.

No matter who ends up in the cage with Flynn, they are in for a fight. Flynn brings a highly intelligent game that’s seen him capture 9 of his 10 wins by submission. “I really sit down and break down technique, and I want to apply as much as I possibly can to making moves efficient,” explained the Idaho black belt.

Flynn holds notable wins over Dean Lister and Dennis Kang.

The MFC Signs Jacen Flynn is a post from: CAGERADIO

In the main event, Antonio McKee (27-4-2) fights Chad Dietmeyer (8-1) in a lightweight scrap. McKee is a former UFC veteran, a former champion with MFC and an IFL standout. There is not a better fighter in the game that can control a fight and take it to the ground and keep it on the ground like McKee. McKee went on an 8 year undefeated streak and looks to continue his two-fight streak he is currently riding. For Dietmeyer, this will be a huge step up in competition and with it comes a huge career opportunity. Dietmeyer has fought on the Arizona circuit for some time, grabbing regional titles and a victory over the vaunted McKee would do wonders for his future. Expect McKee to do what he does best and try to get the fight to the ground early and keep it there. Dietmeyer needs to make McKee pay when he comes in for a takedown, a tall order, and then if he finds himself on the bottom work submission after submission.

In the co-main event, Jesse Juarez (15-5) takes on Leonardo Silva. For the Strikeforce and Bellator vet, Juarez this is another chance to get on the radar of the UFC. Juarez is a strong wrestler, especially as a welterweight, and will no doubt try and control the bout and get Silva on his back. For Silva, this could be a make or break fight as he has suffered back to back losses, so expect the Strikeforce and Bellator veteran to come out guns blazing, leaving nothing to chance. This is an important fight for both fighters for very different reasons so that is great news to the fans. Expect fireworks of some kind early on in this bout.

Don’t miss this exciting card. Extreme Fighters World Championship brings you another fully loaded card with “The Untamed 2″. Watch the hottest SoCal fighters compete in the cage. Order this event now, exclusively through the GFL Combat Sport Network at GFL.tv.

UNTAMED 2: CAGE ON THE STAGE Fri Mar 30 10:45PM ET is a post from: CAGERADIO

Anaheim, California – Extreme Fighters World Championship is back with “The Untamed 2″ on Friday, May 30 at The Grove of Anaheim, California. This is the debut event for EFWC on GFL.tv and the organization looks to make a splash in a big way with a stacked card and a hotly anticipated main event. “The Untamed 2″ will no doubt build on the growing momentum of high level events that EFWC presents.

In the main event, Antonio McKee (27-4-2) fights Chad Dietmeyer (8-1) in a lightweight scrap. McKee is a former UFC veteran, a former champion with MFC and an IFL standout. There is not a better fighter in the game that can control a fight and take it to the ground and keep it on the ground like McKee. McKee went on an 8 year undefeated streak and looks to continue his two-fight streak he is currently riding. For Dietmeyer, this will be a huge step up in competition and with it comes a huge career opportunity. Dietmeyer has fought on the Arizona circuit for some time, grabbing regional titles and a victory over the vaunted McKee would do wonders for his future. Expect McKee to do what he does best and try to get the fight to the ground early and keep it there. Dietmeyer needs to make McKee pay when he comes in for a takedown, a tall order, and then if he finds himself on the bottom work submission after submission.

In the co-main event, Jesse Juarez (15-5) takes on Leonardo Silva. For the Strikeforce and Bellator vet, Juarez this is another chance to get on the radar of the UFC. Juarez is a strong wrestler, especially as a welterweight, and will no doubt try and control the bout and get Silva on his back. For Silva, this could be a make or break fight as he has suffered back to back losses, so expect the Strikeforce and Bellator veteran to come out guns blazing, leaving nothing to chance. This is an important fight for both fighters for very different reasons so that is great news to the fans. Expect fireworks of some kind early on in this bout.

Don’t miss this exciting card. Extreme Fighters World Championship brings you another fully loaded card with “The Untamed 2″. Watch the hottest SoCal fighters compete in the cage. Order this event now, exclusively through the GFL Combat Sport Network at GFL.tv.

XFWC – THE UNTAMED 2 LIVE IPPV ON GFL is a post from: CAGERADIO

So you finally made it, kid. For all that hard work, all those long hours, all that dedication and self sacrifice, this is what you get. You get this letter. It seems like a small token compared to your investment, doesn’t it? Well rest assured it’s not. It’s the key to your future, kid. This is where you’ll teach. This is where you’ll learn. You will keep this place in your heart for the rest of your life. Hey, you hear me, kid? See there at the bottom? Just sign. You earned it. Welcome to the MFC. Welcome to the Ivy League of mixed martial arts.

In the Ivy League, opportunity is created. You don’t go to Yale to limit your options. No academic in Harvard is there to remain stagnant. When you hit the Ivy League of MMA, other opportunities can be better faced and openly embraced. Each fighter has his own aspirations for his career, and those aspirations are considered and respected by the MFC. This is a team made to help fighters, not hinder them, even if that means working to see them realize goals that exist outside the MFC. You’re an Ivy Leaguer now, baby.

In the Ivy League, people are invited to be part of something major. The history is storied and significant from Hanover, New Hampshire to State College, Pennsylvania. Walk into any of these edifices of higher education; each step down the hallway echoes with worth – just as each step onto the MFC’s crisp canvas signifies the completion of a journey from paid fighter to professional athlete. Now you’re internationally live on HDNet. Now you’re on Canada’s largest sports network – TSN. Now you’re with the biggest show in Canada. Now you’re with one of the top damn shows in the world. Now you’re part of something big. An Ivy League institution is not about the pillars of its entrance, it’s about the pillars of education, and the MFC is not about the sport for its good, it’s about the good of the sport.

In the Ivy League, resources are abundant. Last year, the total combined endowments for the Ivy League schools were near $100 billion. Pass the Grey Poupon. While you’re at it, throw its logo on your shirt because a fighter without sponsors is akin to a surgeon without anaesthetic – you can still get it done, but it’s going to be ugly. You’ve got a bigger team behind you now, a team that will connect you with the corporate support you need. You’ll be doing interviews for radio, television, print, and electronic media. Sponsors and media are your new best friends, and there’s a new adage too: don’t call them. They’ll call you.

In the Ivy League, peripheral skills are strengthened. It doesn’t matter if you’re studying physics or Phys. Ed. – skills outside the core curriculum are developed and dilated. Abilities like leadership, values like work ethic, and characteristics like restraint come with the territory when you’re Ivy. These types of strengths are specifically coached, one-on-one, in the MFC. Fighters are made to be social media savvy – a trait they can carry through their careers. You remember how important sponsors are, right? Here you’ll be taught how to hold a professional interview without regurgitating the same trite answers time and again. Yeah, yeah – we know you can’t look past him and you’ve got to get after it. You want more fans? You want more photos? You want more Franklins? Listen to your media coaches.

In the Ivy League, core skills are strengthened. Every new challenge demands more of your mind than you have to give and more of your time than you have to grant. You’ve done fine with your rugged good looks and million dollar smile so far, but that’s nothing 65 facial stitches and half dozen missing teeth won’t reverse. Your core skills are the root of the tree of success, so snap off a switch and whoop somebody with it. You’re in there with elite strikers. You’re in there with NCAA championship wrestlers. You’re in there with national judo champions. Proverbs 27:17 tells us as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. You already know what that means. Now you’ll feel it.

In the Ivy League, milestones are forged. An all-star in the National Football League grips firmly to the fulfilment of his NFL accomplishments, and he also holds a different and unique pride in his collegiate success. In a similar stratum, the best fighters of the Maximum Fighting Championship give a satisfied gaze to the mantel that holds their achievements in the MFC alongside the other triumphs of their mixed martial arts’ careers. No matter where your fighting career takes you, take this opportunity for all it’s worth. Hoist that Heisman.

In the Ivy League, respect is habitual. Some of the world’s greatest leaders, prominent figures, and influential academics boast Ivy League alumni status. For better or worse, respect is expected and rarely neglected. In the MFC, you’ll learn all about respect from the time your plane lands. You’ll be picked up promptly and handed a 20-page agenda. You’ll be treated with dignity and expected to perform. You’ll be weighing in at a prominent downtown hub in front of more cheering fans than attended your last fight. You deserve it, kid.

This is the Ivy League. This is where great becomes exceptional, boys become men, and fighters become professional athletes. This may be the place you stay, this may be a place you visit, this may be a place you return to, and you’ll never be the same. You’re pro now, son, so make the most of it. Before you go out there and show them what you’ve got, take this last piece of advice. You might be in the Ivy League now, but make no mistake. This isn’t about co-eds, dorm parties, blonde lawyers, or scholarships. This is the school of hard knocks. This is the MFC.

MFC: The Ivy League of MMA is a post from: CAGERADIO

He’s an NCAA Male Athlete of the Year. He’s defeated numerous MMA superstars. He took one of the most dominant wrestlers in MMA today to a close split decision. He recently walked through one of the most feared welterweights in MFC history. He’s a workhorse. He’s a veteran. He’s Nathan “Soulforce” Coy.

Fight fans may not know this guy, but fight fanatics do, and soon you will too. Why? Because he’s about to bring the fight like he always does, but this time his fight is at MFC 33 on the grand stage provided by HDNet, TSN, and the Maximum Fighting Championship. Oh, by the way, his fight is also for the welterweight championship belt, which, in a recent interview, Coy stated clearly was in his career goals: “I’m looking to win belts.”

His journey to this title shot hasn’t been easy either. The guy has built a career on taking on the toughest fighters in the sport – often before they garnered the glitz and glamour needed to rocket Coy to the top, or even to pay him well for that matter: “I’m the guy who beat those fighters before they had legitimate names. It was a lot of tough matches for no money, just for respect.” In the McGillivray fight, the man they call Soulforce gets to put his stamp on a high-profile fight, and, like he says, “It’s just a matter of making it happen.”

That’s a relatively easy quote to throw out there, but Coy also realizes his work is cut out for him. His opponent, Ryan McGillivray, clutched his last victory from what looked like the jaws of defeat when he pulled an out-of-nowhere armbar on the highly aggressive Diego Bautista. Coy knows that fight, and he knows what McGillivray brings to the cage, so he must see that Ryan has a shot at winning their bout, right? “No, not at all,” said Coy, “I’m in this business to win and win only.” With affiliation to Team Quest in Portland and American Top Team in Florida, he’s surrounded by winning attitudes and the talent needed to prepare him for McGillivray’s excellent submission game. When asked about it, Coy was completely confident in himself and his training partners, “I’ve got guys who can match that.”

It’s hard to argue the quality of his training camps or his skills after watching him dismantle Dhiego Lima at MFC 32. Lima is a feared competitor, and now Coy may be the most feared welterweight on the MFC roster. He doesn’t care about fear though, only victory: “I want to get after it and put people in positions they’re not comfortable in. If that’s fear, then so be it.” Of course, it’s going to be hard to shake the confidence of his opponent, who will have the home crowd support behind him in spades. As far as Nathan Coy is concerned, Ryan McGillivray can go ahead and have the fan support in the arena: “The crowd has nothing to do with it.” He may well be right. We are, after all, talking about a fighter who is extremely focused and on a path of constant and consistent improvement. Take a look at the list of fighters he’s already defeated. Improvement is a scary thought, especially considering the dominance shown in his last fight: “I impose my will. That’s the goal when I’m out there.”

Imposing is a great word to describe Coy. He’s big. He’s forceful. He’s persistent. In fact, he’s much like a fighting mountain gorilla: “A gorilla grabs you. It hurts you. It does what it wants.” To be fair to the man, he is also a loving father and husband who is thankful to his supporters and all the fans who buy tickets to the MFC, but you can hear it in the tone of his voice – his message to Ryan McGillivray isn’t loving or thankful, but more like a dare for which he already knows the outcome: “Come after it, man. Come hard. Let’s do this.”

The Gorilla is a post from: CAGERADIO

The Maximum Fighting Championship has released Antonio McKee, Brian Cobb, and James Haddad from their contracts with the organization.

McKee and Cobb were both slated to compete for the MFC lightweight title at MFC 32: Bitter Rivals on Jan. 27, but both fighters came in over the contract weight at the official weigh-in – defending champ McKee by seven pounds and challenger Cobb by one-half pound.

“I was thoroughly disgusted by the lack of professionalism that Antonio McKee showed towards the belt he was scheduled to defend as well as the Maximum Fighting Championship as a organization,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“It was unacceptable behavior for a champion to demonstrate. On top of that, Antonio never really apologized for missing weight that badly. That was the end of things for him with the MFC. That’s why he was stripped of his belt immediately and told that he would never fight in the MFC again. I hope it’s a message to all the other fighters in the MFC.”

Cobb, who was coming off a win over Drew Fickett at MFC 30, lost a narrow decision to McKee at MFC 32.

“It’s disappointing to have to release Brian as he is a tremendous character person,” added Pavelich. “Everyone in the MFC has a great deal of respect and admiration for Brian, but unfortunately he admitted to making an error in preparing for the weigh-in and was over the limit. For a title fight that is a big mistake.”

Haddad, who lost via decision to Dan Ring at MFC 32, was over by two pounds for his lightweight bout.

McKee and Cobb officially released from MFC, Haddad also cut for missing weight is a post from: CAGERADIO

After suffering his first loss since 2003 last January, Antonio McKee was looking forward to rebounding by defending his MFC lightweight championship against Drew Fickett in June, but an injury forced McKee from the bout.

After McKee dropped out of the event, it was announced Fickett would fight Hermes Franca for the vacated title – a belt McKee argued he still owned – but then with legal issues removing Franca from the match, Brian Cobb stepped in and eventually defeated Fickett in a non-title bout.

A year after he had last stepped into the MFC ring, it appeared as if McKee was going to get a chance to prove he is the undisputed lightweight champion at MFC 32, but after coming in seven pounds over the weight limit, he was stripped of the belt and the bout was changed to a non-title fight.

Controversies aside, according to McKee, when he does return to the MFC, we will see a different fighter in him.

“It took away what I do best. Having a slipped disc in my back, I could no longer take the shots I could take, and having the torn meniscus, I couldn’t have the angle technique that I had before,” he told MMAWeekly.com.

“It made me better because I had to revamp my game, and it had to happen pretty fast because I didn’t have very much of a choice. I’m pretty happy it happened, because I’ll be able to display a different style in this fight against Brian.”

While North American fans will have an opportunity to see McKee’s changes for the first time Friday night live on HDNet, he did manage to test things out this past August in a win over Jai Bradney at CFC 18 in Sidney, Australia.

“I got a chance to acknowledge the changes,” said McKee. “He stopped my shot each time, and I ended up using the cage to take him down. When I got him down I knew I didn’t have it in me to go three five-minute rounds, so I had to finish it in the first round.

“I went all out, and ground-and-pounded him into submission – and fortunately, he broke – which was a good thing because I was on my way out.”

McKee feels confident his ground skills will be able to neutralize Cobb’s, so his only concern going into their fight is not so much technical, but motivational.

“Brian’s a dangerous opponent for me because he’s not a trash-talking guy,” said McKee. “He’s a nice guy, and I respect nice guys. Me, I need someone to talk smack, get in my face and push me around a little bit.

“That’s what makes me go. It forces me to go out there and be an animal; which is probably the best way to go out there; especially if you’re a skilled technician and an animal. If he goes out there and plays the nice guy, it’s going to be a long night for us both.”

Following the disappointment of 2011, McKee was looking to start off this year with a fresh outlook. He will get the opportunity, to an extent, when he faces Cobb. But MFC officials confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that McKee would be released from the promotion following the fight.

“I just want to go out there, relax and enjoy the energy crowd… Then look down the road and see who’s next.”

(The interview with McKee was conducted prior to his failure to make wait. He was unavailable for a follow-up after the weigh-in.)

Antonio McKee Loses MFC Belt, but Still has a Fight on His Hands is a post from: CAGERADIO

In the world of MMA, it takes constant steps forward to succeed. Today marks a major step for the organization behind one of the largest MMA shows in the world.

Pavelich Sports Inc. is proud to announce its official arrival back into the business of fighter management. On March 3, 2001, Pavelich Sports changed the MMA landscape in North America by founding the Maximum Fighting Championship, and today the company is changing it again. Pavelich Sports will be representing and managing top MMA talent in addition to coordinating professional mixed martial arts seminars and workshops for all MMA fighters. In addition, fans will continue to enjoy the non-stop action of the MFC as big shows continue throughout 2012.

The world of MMA is quickly becoming home to a new breed of fighter. This fighter is analytical. This fighter is adaptable. This fighter is athletic. This fighter has the potential to reach extraordinary heights, and he needs experienced and powerful representation to help him on his way. Enter Pavelich Sports Incorporated.

Pavelich Sports is a company known by MMA fans around the world for its successful mixed martial arts show, the Maximum Fighting Championship, but its influence on the fight game goes way beyond lights, cameras, and action. The organization has also played a major role in representing highly talented fighters as they rose to excellence. With this announcement, a new world of opportunity is opening for dedicated mixed martial artists seeking that extra edge needed to succeed in the increasingly competitive sport. Pavelich Sports has struck deals with major players like HDNet, TSN and Tapout Energy, and this move into fighter management puts a high level of business savvy behind the mixed martial artists who are the future of MMA.

The company is also building towards its next professional MMA seminars, which are set to start this year. These events will feature some of the most skilled minds in the sport offering their artful techniques, accomplished training, and adept tutelage. Pavelich Sports is in talks with veterans and stars like Frank Trigg and Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo to sign on as coaches and mentors, offering even more opportunity to fighters across the continent.

In the world of MMA, it takes constant steps forward to succeed. The relentless pursuit of perfection and consuming drive for achievement move the major players toward their goals. This holds true for fighters, for promoters, and for business owners. The next big step for Pavelich Sports happens today.

Pavelich Sports returns to the Management Business is a post from: CAGERADIO

Go ahead. Count him out. Dwayne Lewis doesn’t really mind. He’s been counted out before, and he’s been the afterthought of some pundits looking at the steadily improving light heavyweight division in the MFC. He doesn’t mind because he knows what his doubters expect; he knows what his true fans believe, and he damn well knows what his heart tells him is possible. He is, after all, the Cinderella Man of MMA.

For those who don’t know, Cinderella Man is the story of boxer Jimmy Braddock, a fighter who overcame outstanding odds to win the world heavyweight title in 1935. You may be wondering what the connection is to MFC standout, Dwayne Lewis. He’s not a boxer. He’s not fighting for the title yet, and 1935? He’s not that old, so what’s the deal?

Jimmy Braddock stepped up when called upon. This is where the story of Dwayne Lewis begins. He was a kick boxer when he met Sandy Bowman and started training in his club. Bowman had just started his affiliation with Pat Miletich and Miletich Fighting Systems, and Lewis had been training for less than 6 months when fate came knocking. Bowman walked in one snowy Friday afternoon and made an announcement to all the guys in the club, “Who wants to fight at Rumble in the Cage 21?” In a moment of foreshadowing for his entire career, Lewis didn’t hesitate. He threw his hand up. Soon after, he walked into hostile territory against a local fighter and scored the 33-second TKO. “After that I was hooked,” said a smiling Lewis.

Jimmy Braddock fought for his fans. This is how the story of Dwayne Lewis has grown. Simply put, fighters fight. Some fight for glory. Some fight for paycheques. Lewis fights for his fans. It’s no wonder they literally follow him from city to city to see him live in action. His pride grows from putting on shows, not from padding his record with easy Ws. When asked about his exciting and risky style, he was candid in sharing his motivation. “It gets my fans up on their feet and cheering, and that’s all that matters to me.” Those are easy words to spit out, but the Cinderella Man of MMA doesn’t have to say it. He lives it. One still has to wonder if he gets concerned about losing in an increasingly competitive light heavyweight division, but don’t wonder, he’ll tell you himself, “I’d rather go down in a blaze of glory.”

Jimmy Braddock disillusioned doubters. This is when the story of Dwayne Lewis gets real. Most pundits counted Lewis out against Marvin Eastman. The guy had too much experience. Lewis was supposed to lose to Razak Al-Hassen, the MMA veteran was on a 4-fight win streak. Few predicted Lewis could build a successful MMA career because he was starting too late. He was 32. Despite all this doubt, Dwayne Lewis had at least one person who always believed in him. Himself. With that belief, he devastated Eastman, defeated Hassen, and drove his MMA career to become arguably the most popular fighter on the MFC roster.

Jimmy Braddock worked hard for his family. This is where the story of Dwayne Lewis hits home. Outside of the work he puts in during training and in the ring, Lewis holds down a full time job to support his 3 young children – Brandi, Logan, and Summer. His wife of 9 years, Christa, works with him to keep the family strong, and he recognizes the importance of their marriage and partnership, “She is definitely the anchor of our family. Without her, I wouldn’t be doing this.” During work days, as fights are approaching, Lewis’ days start at 3:30am and end at 11:30pm as he balances work, training, and time with his family. He will tell you it’s all worth it, “It’s something I can look back on and share with my kids.” When asked where he finds the strength, he told the MFC, he does it for his loved ones, “I come home, and all my friends and family are so proud. That really gives me the drive to push on for another fight.”

Jimmy Braddock became the champion. This chapter is not yet complete in the career of Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis, but fans get the feeling that an outline is being written, and Lewis is authoring the story himself. He has a close relationship with Sandy Bowman and a dynamic training team at Bowman’s MMA. The club has great depth in Miletich Fighting Systems, high level BJJ, world class taekwondo, and strong kickboxing. Lewis also has a growing list of sponsors from Heritage Harley Davidson, CarMacks, Birch Mountain, Great Plains Security and Western RV, to the Edmonton Rush and Staredown Fight Wear, so his shorts stay looking good (and profitable). Indeed, Dwayne Lewis has the pieces in place to make big things happen.

Big things start this Friday at MFC 32 Bitter Rivals when Lewis hits the ring with dangerous MMA veteran Wilson Gouveia. Will D-Bomb be counted out again? He doesn’t seem to care either way. “I’m always told I’m just a bum with heavy hands, and I go with it.” Apparently his hectic schedule isn’t enough to dampen his sense of humour because Lewis knows his training at Bowman’s gives him much, much more than heavy hands. Then again, heavy hands may be all he needs. He predicted what we all expect, “I think you’re going to see a dogfight, man. Once he comes in to trade bombs, I’m not going to be taking a step back. I’m going to be taking a step forward.”

That step forward in the ring may also be a big step forward in his career. The stage is set with a sell-out crowd, a packed venue, a wild fight, and a worldwide broadcast. Jimmy Braddock was in legendary fights, and this could easily be a fight worth talking about come December’s reflections on the MMA happenings of 2012. It all goes down this Friday, and Lewis couldn’t be more ready. Then again, maybe he’s just a bum with heavy hands.

Go ahead. Count him out.

MFC’s Dwayne Lewis The Cinderella Man of MMA is a post from: CAGERADIO