Shane Campbell joins MFC ranks

'Shaolin' aiming for knockout impression in May 9^th debut at Crowned Kings

The Maximum Fighting Championship's newest addition promises to put on a show every time he leaps the top rope into the MFC ring.

And he doesn't want to wait for the first opportunity to prove himself so he's jumping into action right away with a spot on the MFC 40: Crowned Kings stacked lineup.

Shane "Shaolin" Campbell has signed a multi-fight agreement with the MFC and will debut in the organization live on AXS TV Fights on Friday, May 9 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. His opponent for the featured lightweight battle will be announced shortly.

"I want to get in there and bang it out. When I start KOing people, my title shot will come," said Campbell (8-2), who has won four of his last five outings.

"People love coming to see me fight because I'm so dynamic. I'm not afraid to do things like wild strikes but I also put my technique together. I can do things that most people can't. Fans expect to see a KO when I fight and that's 90% of the fans want to see. They want a huge KO and they're excited about seeing it happen.

"Every time I fight my fanbase grows all over the world."

Campbell joins a talent-rich MFC lightweight division. Along with Campbell, four of the top stars will be in action at MFC 40 as Tom Gallicchio faces Kurt Southern in a rematch for the title, and Marcus Edwards tangles with Aaron Gallant.

"Shane Campbell is the kind of fighter I love and the MFC fans love so it was perfect that unite," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

"I want fighters who have a certain swagger and style, and I want guys who want finish their opponent and make an impressive statement. Shane is all of that and he is going to be a real threat in the MFC lightweight division."

Campbell is no stranger to fight fans in his adopted home town of Edmonton, but as a veteran of the K-1 scene, he has developed a following everywhere he's been. Under various kickboxing banners, Campbell, who is originally from Hamilton, Ontario, has fought in the United States, Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, and Belarus, and his 62-9 record is highlighted by a key win over notable Canadian fighter Trevor Smandich.

The 27-year-old (Twitter: @shaolinstylemma) feels this is the perfect time and situation under the MFC flag to raise his credentials and start his legacy in mixed martial arts.

"This is a beautiful time and opportunity to be a pioneer," said Campbell. "I've got this opportunity to do things people have never seen before. Something like the Teep kick to the face. I and lots of other people did that long before Anderson Silva did it but no one of his stature had ever done it.

"There are dozens of big things that I want to do. I want to be a trendsetter and this my time and the stage to do it."

For more information and interview requests, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media & Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship

Alvey to defend MFC middleweight gold against Swofford

'Smilen' Sam makes first defense title at Crowned Kings on May 9

The third title fight for the Maximum Fighting Championship's MFC 40: Crowned Kings card has been set with two potent strikers ready to square-off. 

"Smilen" Sam Alvey (21-5) will defend his MFC middleweight title against Wes "Nile" Swofford (9-4) at MFC 40 taking place on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw  Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The Alvey-Swofford matchup is packaged alongside two other title fights on the night as Anthony Birchak defends his bantamweight crown against "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom, and Kurt "The Hurt" Southern and Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio go head-to-head in their rematch for the lightweight belt.

"Alvey and Swofford match up so well stylistically that they're going to create an incredible fight. It has all the makings of being the wildest, craziest title fight in MFC history," said Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

"Sam has shown great resiliency and the ability to battle through a war. Wes is a very serious threat to Sam's title and he is ready to put everything he's got on the line to take his belt away. When both guys have knockout power and the desire to finish a fight, it can only mean great things for the fans in the seats at the Shaw Conference Centre and those watching live on AXS TV Fights."

Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) captured the MFC middleweight title at MFC 38 with a dramatic fifth-round knockout over Jason South. The Temecula, California-based fighter is now ranked 53^rd in the world by Fight Matrix having won four of his last five fights including a third-round TKO of Jay Silva at MFC 37.

Alvey, who is married to America's Next Top Model cycle 11 winner McKey Sullivan, has earned 13 knockout victories and has been stopped only once during his six-year career.

Swofford (Twitter: @WesSwofford) has jumped to #92 in the Fight Matrix rankings as he has won six of his last eight fights highlighted by  a 41-second destruction of Jay Silva at MFC 36. That victory was one of five that Swofford, who fights out of Redding, California, has managed inside the first round.

MFC 40: Crowned Kings Main Card

Wes Swofford vs. Sam Alvey (c) - MFC middleweight title

Kevin Croom vs. Anthony Birchak (c) - MFC bantamweight title

Kurt Southern vs. Tom Gallicchio - MFC lightweight title

Sean O'Connell vs. Victor Valimaki - light-heavyweight

Jonatas Novaes vs. Andrew McInnes - lightweight

Aaron Gallant vs. Marcus Edwards - lightweight

A full lineup of preliminary matchups which will air live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page will be unveiled shortly.

Tickets for MFC 40: Crowned Kings are on sale now via www.ticketmaster.ca and by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

MFC President Mark Pavelich on Tonight's FNU Combat Sports Show

	FNU COMBAT SPORTS SHOW: MFC's Mark Pavelich By Fight News Unlimited January 02, 2014 - 08:00:00 PM EST 120 Minutes Call in to speak with the host: (347) 324-3228
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Tonight Tony, Rich,and Tom kick the new year off with some news from around the combat sports world, a preview of upcoming fight cards, and a recap of UFC 168. Our special guest tonight is Mark Pavelich, the President and CEO of Maximum Fighting Championship, Canada's leading Mixed Martial Arts Promotion. MFC has their first event of 2014 coming up later this month. Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse, taking place at the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, January 17 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca as well via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

Birchak’s shining moment makes Sports Illustrated Photos of the Year

Bantamweight champion’s celebration shot captured at MFC 39

A spectacular moment of championship glory has earned Anthony Birchak and the Maximum Fighting Championship a spot in the prestigious Sportsman of the Year issue of Sports Illustrated.

Poised on the ring ropes in celebration, Birchak’s captured image is prominently displayed as one of SI’s Photos of the Year.

“Absolutely surreal,” said Birchak. “I got a Facebook message from someone I haven’t talked to in four years telling me I’m in Sports Illustrated. I was thinking not that long ago that I’ve done a lot in my career so far but I was still waiting for that ‘A-ha!’ moment. This is definitely that kind of moment.”

The photo was taken at MFC 38 when Birchak capped a tripleheader of title fights by winning the MFC world bantamweight championship with a second-round submission of Tito Jones. His spot in Sports Illustrated’s Photos of the Year puts him alongside such world-renowned notables as Olympic and World champion sprinter Usain Bolt, Masters champion Adam Scott, and Dave Bolland, who scored the 2013 Stanley Cup winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks. It's the only mixed martial arts picture featured.

“Anthony became well-known in the MMA world in 2013 but this is something that puts him on the map in the real world of sports,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. “I’ve read Sports Illustrated all my life and for an MFC fighter to be in it and as part of the Photos of the Year, that is just an amazing accomplishment.”

Photographer Amber Bracken was perfectly positioned at ringside to capture the image, though at first, she thought she may have missed the moment.

“I remember being disappointed Anthony Birchak didn’t turn my way when he was celebrating but I guess the photo turned out anyway,” said Bracken. “I was pretty surprised when a friend told me it made the SI Sportsmen of the Year edition. It’s not too often you see Edmonton events represented like that. The whole thing is pretty cool.”

Bracken’s work initially appeared in the Edmonton Sun and throughout the QMI Agency chain of newspapers and websites. Sun photographers are well-regarded for their sports acumen though being in Sports Illustrated is certainly a crowning achievement.

“We are proud that one of our top sports pictures produced in a great sports town like Edmonton was featured on the world stage that Sports Illustrated offers,” said Tom Braid, Photo Editor of the Edmonton Sun.

Birchak, who recently earned the MFC Fight of the Year for 2013, is expected to make the first title defense of his bantamweight crown at MFC 40.

Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse, taking place at the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, January 17 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca as well via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

MFC’s 2013 Year-End Awards The Zeddy for Knockout of the Year

Over the past several years, the Maximum Fighting Championship has developed its own holiday tradition right up there with turkey, spiked egg nog, and getting good ol' dad that bottle of Old Spice.

With the year-end fast-approaching, it’s time for our gift to fighters and fans. It's the return of the Z-Files’ MFC Year-End Awards – unofficially dubbed The Zeddys.

Last year, the awards added a few new twists and those new honors return as tributes to individual fighters who make 2013 memorable in one way or another.

Last but certainly far from least, now is the time to declare the winner of 2013's Knockout of the Year recipients. Past winners of the MFC KO of the Year are Mukai Maromo, Adam Lynn, Pete Spratt, Tom Watson, and Aron Lofton.

The countdown begins with …

5. Smealinho Rama vs. Mike Hackert, MFC 36 – Two big boys on big rolls came into this fight, looking to cement the No. 1 contender spot in the MFC heavyweight division as well as officially be recognized as the top heavyweight in Canada. Hackert supposedly had the edge in striking prowess, but it was Rama who came through with heavy hands at the right time. A quick clip to the side of the head rattled Hackert and Rama pounced to finish the bout before taking his celebration to the fans in the front row.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ldxvMnDb-k

4. Wes Swofford vs. Jay Silva, MFC 36 – It’s very rare that a late replacement does much more than roll over for his opponent but Swofford was determined not to let that happen. He did hit the deck and look done like dinner thanks to a Silva head kick, but “Nile” wasn’t to be denied. With a standing elbow strike reminiscent of Adam Lynn’s 2012 KO of the Year, Swofford buckled Silva against the ropes and battered him until the referee was forced to jump in.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCXiOCSgwIg

3. Kurt Southern vs. Jonatas Novaes, MFC 38 – Still fuming over his loss to Novaes in their first encounter, Southern wasn’t about to let his Brazilian foe get a second chance at stealing a victory. Southern called his shot by proclaiming he’d nail Novaes with an overhand right, and he did just that in the late stage of Round 1. Southern dropped Novaes and then rained down hammerfists to bring things to a sudden halt – an ending that also secured him a lightweight title shot at MFC 39.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbnpIv0uNmg

2. Aaron Gallant vs. Matt Jelly, MFC 38 – Gallant had not seen the inside of the MFC ring in over a decade. Ten years of waiting turned into just seven seconds of action. A left hook, right cross, and a right uppercut in lightning-quick succession ended the fight with Jelly dropping to the canvas without ever realizing what had just taken place (watch the video to see the startled reaction on Jelly’s face). “Gorilla” set a new MFC record for fastest knockout and would surely have won the Knockout of the Night and the Year had something even more spectacular not taken place about two hours later.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja_Nj_Lxt18

And the winner of the 2013 MFC Knockout of the Year is ...

1. Anthony Hamilton vs. Smealinho Rama, MFC 38 – For the first time in more than six years, the rejuvenated MFC heavyweight division would crown a new champion, and it came down to the surging veteran against the undefeated rising star. After a competitively grinding first round, Hamilton went to his corner and received a valuable piece of advice. Twelve seconds into Round 2, he executed the most potent high kick ever seen in the MFC. Hyperbole aside, it absolutely looked like Rama had been shot by a high-powered rifle as he flailed wildly and crashed to the canvas. With that spectacular finish, Hamilton had captured the MFC heavyweight title, the Knockout of the Night, and without a shadow of a doubt, the Knockout of the Year.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIcoayZf9U

Fighter of the Year: Anthony Birchak – Two of the best performances of the year. A litany of top-notch interviews and a sparkling social media presence. A spotlight in Fighters Only. And a captivating moment highlighted by Sports Illustrated. The Year 2013 belonged to Anthony Birchak, who became the MFC’s inaugural bantamweight champion. All of the accolades came during a year that saw numerous pressures put on Birchak’s shoulders including a new baby boy and the loss of a long-time friend. “Wait till you see me perform without all of these life issues weighing on me,” said Birchak. That should be something to behold.

Prospect of the Year: Kurt Southern – Is it hard to say someone is a prospect with 17 fights already under his belt. To some, perhaps, but when you look at it, Southern had gone the vast majority of those fights unheralded and mostly unheard of. Now after three excellent outings in the MFC, Southern is being recognized for the truly massive talent he is. A title shot awaits the best thing out of Saskatchewan since The Sheepdogs.

Kenny Rice ‘Blast from the Past’ Award: Great moments should never be forgotten, and this new award goes to a treasured time in MFC history.

See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSucz-22Rfg

Hamilton set for clash with Schoonover at No Remorse

Reigning Maximum Fighting Championship heavyweight title-holder Anthony "Freight Train" Hamilton will make the first title defense of his belt at MFC 39: No Remorse.

Hamilton (11-2) will defend his championship and look for a sixth straight victory when he takes on Darrill "The Boss" Schoonover (13-5) in the co-main event of the fight card set for Friday, January 17 live on AXS TV Fights from the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Hamilton captured the crown at MFC 38 with a ferocious head-kick knockout of Smealinho Rama - a highlight-reel finish that came only 12 seconds into Round 2. Schoonover, a former reality show standout, reality agreed to a multi-fight deal in the MFC and rides a three-fight winning streak into his organizational debut.

The heavyweight title fight will top the card alongside the MFC lightweight title fight pitting Kurt "The Hurt" Southern against Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio.

"Anthony Hamilton had unquestionably one of the knockouts of the year anywhere in world and proved he was the right man to take the title," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "He has all the tools to be an absolutely dominant fighter, but he's got to get though a very eager and dangerous Darrill Schoonover to do it.

"Darrill has improved his game plan over the past year and most importantly solidified his conditioning - all of which makes him a huge threat to Hamilton's title."

Schoonover, who fights out of El Paso, Texas, has a notable career victory over Paul Buentello, and boasts seven knockouts along with three submission on his resume. The 28-year-old began his career with an impressive 10-0 start.

Hamilton (Twitter: @A_Hamilton_MMA_), who now fights out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered the MFC in grand fashion with in colossal victory over Rama back in October. That win was Hamilton's sixth via knockout and moved him to #47 in the world heavyweight rankings by Fight Matrix.com.

The Hamilton/Schoonoever matchup completes the main card lineup for MFC 39:

Anthony Hamilton (c) vs. Darrill Schoonover - MFC heavyweight title

Kurt Southern vs. Tom Gallicchio - MFC lightweight title

Sean O'Connell vs. Victor Valimaki - light-heavyweight

Gilbert Smith vs. Jason South - welterweight

Chase Degenhardt vs. Ryan Chiappe - middleweight

Aaron Gallant vs. Derek Boyle - lightweight

A full roster of preliminary fights which will air live on the MFC Facebook page will be announced shortly.

Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca as well as via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

O’Connell to clash with Valimaki at MFC 39

Degenhardt/Chiappe, Gallant/Boyle matchups added to No Remorse roster

The Maximum Fighting Championship is excited to announce three more main card matchups for the upcoming MFC 39: No Remorse taking place on Friday, January 17 in Edmonton, Alberta, and live on AXS TV Fights.

Former MFC world light-heavyweight champion Victor “The Matrix” Valimaki returns to where his career took off, and now has opponent in the form Sean O’Connell #52 in the World Rankings, who enters the Maximum Fighting Championship riding a five-fight winning streak that includes his most-recent victory over big-name veteran Marvin Eastman.

Also added to the lineup for MFC 39 is a middleweight showdown pitting talented striker Chase Degenhardt against hard-throwing brawler “Ruthless” Ryan Chiappe, plus a battle been two explosive lightweights as Aaron “Gorilla” Gallant meets Derek “The Gargoyle” Boyle. Both of these fights have been agreed to in principle.

“The anticipation level for the return of Victor Valimaki to the MFC is even greater than I thought it could be,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. “I think people truly believe in Victor and they want to see him succeed. However, he’s going to have his hands full in Sean O’Connell.”

All three fights will take place on the main card of MFC 39, and are added to a lineup that includes the MFC world lightweight title fight between Kurt “The Hurt” Southern and Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio along with the welterweight clash of Gilbert Smith against Jason “The Mover” South. A co-headlining title fight will be added shortly. The MFC’s first show of 2014 will be held at the Northlands Expo Centre.

Valimaki (17-8), who will have the home-town advantage of fighting in Edmonton, returns to the MFC ring for the first time since 2007 and a little more than six years since claiming the organization’s 205-pound division crown with a submission win against Jason Day. In O’Connell (14-4), who agreed to a multi-fight deal, Valimaki faces a fighter on a tremendous hot streak and a holder of seven victories by way of knockout. The Salt Lake City, Utah, product, who stands six-foot-two, also has two wins via submission.

Degenhardt (8-3) will look to build on a streak of two straight wins that includes a second-round stoppage at MFC 35. The Edmonton, Alberta, native will have a sizeable height advantage as he stands six-foot-four compared to Chiappe at five-foot-10. But the powerfully built Chiappe (10-8), who fights out of Vancouver, B.C., is a dangerous foe who boasts eight knockouts amongst his 10 victories. Chiappe will be in search of his first victory under the Maximum Fighting Championship after falling short in a spirited tussle at MFC 31.

The AXS TV Fights card will open with a bang as Gallant (6-5), who fights out of Calgary, Alberta, takes on Boyle (10-6) of Lethbridge, Alberta, in a clash of two fighters who have been known to put their opponents away quickly.

Gallant’s current four-fight winning streak is highlighted by a defining moment at MFC 38 when he put together an amazing, record-setting knockout of just seven seconds against Matt Jelly. Meanwhile, Boyle is no stranger to a tidy finish as his last outing under the MFC banner lasted only 20 seconds before he put a stamp on a win over Dan Ring.

Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse are on sale now via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024 with more tickets available atwww.ticketmaster.ca December 4. 2013 10:00 am

LW title fight & Smith-South showdown set for MFC 39

Southern vs. Gallicchio championship battle to co-headline No Remorse

The Maximum Fighting Championship is thrilled to announce two fights including the first of two title matchups that will headline MFC 39: No Remorse taking place on Friday, January 17.

The MFC’s first event of 2014 will air live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check cable provider listings for channel designation).

Riding a wave of momentum and five victories in his last six fights, Kurt “The Hurt” Southern (13-4) will get his crack at the MFC world lightweight title when he squares off against Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio (17-8). Current MFC lightweight champ Graham Spencer is out with injury for several more months and upon returning to action will go down to his natural featherweight division.

The other freshly announced fight sees former MFC middleweight title hopeful Jason “The Mover” South (10-1) go down to the welterweight ranks to welcome newcomer and former reality show standout Gilbert Jamal Smith (7-2) to the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“Right out of the gate for 2014, we’re going to continue our trend of bringing exciting fights to the fans of the Maximum Fighting Championship and AXS TV Fights,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“The MFC is on a tremendous roll right now as MFC 36, 37 and 38 were spectacular, and my whole organization is determined to keep it going. In fact, we’re determined to make it even better. I want fighters who are going impress and who aren’t afraid of big fights.

“I love the fact that Southern and Gallicchio will battle for the lightweight title, and I can’t wait to see Graham Spencer back in action and trying to become the first fighter in MFC history to win championships in two different weight classes. And I’m ecstatic to see the South-Smith showdown as we re-ignite the welterweight division.”

Southern has risen to stardom in the MFC with three impressive outings. Last time out at MFC 38, Southern erased the memory of his controversial submission loss to Jonatas Novaes when he blasted Novaes down and out for a first-round TKO in their hotly anticipated rematch. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, product also has a first-round submission under his belt in the MFC after he quickly dispatched Mukai Maromo at MFC 37.

Gallicchio, who is originally from Toms River, New Jersey, makes his MFC debut and a move to the lightweight division after a long stint at welterweight. Now fighting out of Murrieta, California, Gallicchio has won five of his last eight including a feature victory over Len Bentley.

South made a courageous attempt at claiming the MFC middleweight title at MFC 38, but suffered a stunning TKO loss to Sam Alvey, falling with just four seconds remaining in the fifth and final round. Before that setback, South, who hails from West Jordan, Utah, had gone undefeated and flexed his jiu-jitsu skills with nine submission victories.

Smith, a decorated former member of the United States Army, enters the MFC foray having won his last two fights. Fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Smith boasts five submission wins on his resume including two inside the first round.

Tickets for MFC 39 are on sale now at the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling(780) 504-2024 and will also be on sale via Ticketmaster shortly.

For more information and interview requests, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media & Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship