Former light-heavyweight champ Victor Valimaki returns to the MFC

‘The Matrix’ – Part 2

The man who became the Maximum Fighting Championship’s second-ever title-holder is returning to where he career first blossomed.

Former MFC light-heavyweight champion Victor “The Matrix” Valimaki has signed a multi-fight agreement with the Maximum Fighting Championship, and will make his return to the ring at MFC 39: No Remorse in January 2014 live on AXS TV Fights.

It’s a monumental homecoming for Valimaki, who claimed the MFC’s 205-pound division title at MFC 10 in September 2005. Though his career took various twisting turns and he had his share of personal difficulties outside of the ring, Valimaki’s bridge to the MFC never burned, and there is still much left for him to accomplish under the MFC banner.

“I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and this could be truly one of the biggest happy endings in our history,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“Victor has immense talent … more raw, natural talent than 95% of the fighters out there. He just needs to be focused, and everyone I’ve talked to is giving me glowing reports on what I could only call the ‘new’ Victor.

“Sometimes you have to go through hell to get to heaven. Victor has made that journey and now it’s time to reap the rewards.”

Valimaki (17-8) became one of the original MFC stars when he upset legendary veteran Dan “The Beast” Severn at MFC 8 in September 2005. After claiming the MFC title with a win over Jason Day one year later, Valimaki defended the belt in February 2007 with a startling, come-from-behind knockout win over Jared Kilkenny at MFC 11. But in August 2007 at MFC 13, Valimaki had the title snatched away from him in a TKO loss to Roger Hollett.

Now 31, Valimaki vows to be better than ever as he attempts to regain the crown he once wore so proudly.

“I left things undone. I’m back to where I began and I’m going to prove to everyone why I had that belt in the first place,” said Valimaki, who believes personal growth will be the biggest factor in his rejuvenation.

“I was a kid mentally speaking back then. I was too easily distracted. Now my head is where it needs to be and nothing is going to faze me.”

Valimaki basically took himself out of the winning ways he developed over his early time in the MFC with an assortment of issues outside of the ring which in turn affected his in-ring performance. Those that have known him the longest say he has righted his own ship and is much more prepared for the rigors of training camps and the bright lights of fight night. Valimaki is well aware that he has more detractors than believers at this point, but he is determined to show everyone that he can live up to his own abilities and the hype that was once associated with his name.

“In the back of mind I knew I was holding myself back because of my struggles,” he explained. “But now I feel better and clearer about what I want to do with my career. This is my time now. It’s come later than some people’s but I feel I’ve restarted my career.

“To the critics, I’d just say wait and see. You’ll see a big difference.”

Valimaki holds other notable victories over Vernon White, Lew Polley, and Noah Inhofer, and has also faced off against David Heath and Alessio Sakara.

Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse are on sale now and available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

Fight for the finish in the MFC

Emphasis on finding right kind of fighters proves hugely beneficial

By MFC Staff

When one thinks of sports and statistics, mixed martial arts doesn’t readily come to the front of the list. Statistics seem more in-tune with sports such as baseball and football, but MMA does have key numbers and percentages.

The most prevalent of numbers in finishing rate – how many fights are concluded by knockout, TKO or submission, and not left to the ever-wandering wisdom of judges.

As the Maximum Fighting Championship puts a bow on 2013 and looks ahead to the array of possibilities for the 2014 campaign, it’s interesting to look back upon one of the most significant changes the organization made and how it relates on finishing rate. As the MFC moved into 2012, the decision was made to focus far less on a fighter’s name and put more emphasis on how many of his fights came to an end in dramatic fashion.

In simple terms, the MFC wanted fighters who brought excitement to the ring. We wanted fighters who wanted to win, not ones who just didn’t want to lose. And there’s a big difference.

From MFC 32 to MFC 38 there have been 42 main-card fights that have aired live on AXS TV Fights. Of those 42 fights, 27 have been ended with a clear-cut finish of T/KO or submission, for a finishing rate of 64.3%. A further breakdown shows 16 results by T/KO, 11 via submission and 13 from decision. One fight was declared a draw and there was one no-contest bout.

Since the ‘finish first’ edict was put in place by the MFC matchmaking team, only one event has had more than two decisions on the main card and that was MFC 32 when they were a staggering four fights left to the judges. From that point forward, no event had more than two decisions and four events had just one fight go the distance.

Take off MFC 32’s four decisions of the six main-card bouts and the finishing rate soars to 75%.

A look back at the past seven MFC main cards:

MFC 32 – 1 TKO, 1 submission, 4 decisions = 2 finishes

MFC 33 – 1 TKO, 1 submission, 2 decisions, 1 draw, 1 no-contest = 2 finishes

MFC 34 – 4 T/KO, 1 submission, 1 decision = 5 finishes

MFC 35 – 2 TKO, 2 submissions, 2 decisions = 4 finishes

MFC 36 – 2 T/KO, 3 submissions, 1 decision = 5 finishes

MFC 37 – 2 TKO, 2 submissions, 2 decisions = 4 finishes

MFC 38 – 4 T/KO, 1 submission, 1 decision = 5 finishes

Finishing rate can be further broken down into each individual weight class. Loaded weight classes vary from time to time in the Maximum Fighting Championship based on the strength of available talent. The past two years have also seen the MFC re-launch the heavyweight division as well as adding both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions to the talent pool.

The lightweight division has long-been one of the MFC’s deepest divisions and the past two years have kept that run alive with 11 fights in the 155-pound ranks. Six of those 11 fights have ended with a finish while four have gone to decision. The lightweights and the welterweights need the biggest push when it comes to finishing fights as the 170-pounders have managed just three of seven to avoid the judges.

The brightest stars when it comes to finishing rate have been the heavyweights and middleweights. Four heavyweights have all ended in a clear finish – three by knockout and one via submission. While for years the middleweight division was virtually empty, the MFC has found an impressive list of competitors of the past two years which has resulted in 11 of 15 fights ending in knockout or submission.

It’s obvious that the move to find finishers has paid off in a big way for the MFC which is why all new talent coming into the Maximum Fighting Championship ring are recruited to the show because they want to win and be exciting in the process.

NICK NEWELL BATTLES FOR THE XFC TITLE ON AXS TV

Undefeated Newell to fight Eric Reynolds for the first XFC Lightweight Title this Friday, December 7 at 10pmET

(December 6, 2012- Dallas, Texas) AXS TV Fights is LIVE from Nashville, Tennessee for “XFC 21: Night of Champions II” where undefeated one-armed MMA sensation Nick Newell meets Bellator Fighting Championship veteran Eric Reynolds in the main event Friday, December 7 at 10:00pm ET on AXS TV.

Nick “Notorious” Newell (8-0) has impressed and inspired fight fans with 6 of his 8 wins coming in the first round, including his recent August victory against Adam David Mays. AXS TV Fights aired the first round knockout as part of it’s XFC 19 – Charlotte Showdown LIVE fight coverage:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCoOirT2QeU.

However, his fight with experienced veteran Eric “It’s a Wrap” Reynolds (16-5) is sure to be the toughest test yet in his young career. Newell says that he’s ready and told Inside MMA’s Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten, “I’ve picked up some new tricks…I fight to win.” Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvRUfy8CJVA&feature=youtu.be

AXS TV Fight fans can predict the Newell vs Reynolds battle and even score the fight competing with others in real-time via the AXS TV Fights app now available free for iPhone and iPad. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/axs-tv-fights/id513941346?mt=8.

Fight fans can also connect with AXS TV Fights on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/AXSTVFights

twitter.com/AXSTVFights

XFC 21:  NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS II
LIVE Exclusively on AXS TV
Friday, December 7 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT