Top Lightweight Southern signs new contract with MFC

Nikolai Gionti, MFC Staff

Kurt Southern (13-4) has inked a new three-fight contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“They’ve treated me really well, keeping me active and I’ve never had this type of exposure with any other organization,” Southern says. “Being able to do interviews and have live fights on AXS TV.”

His new contract will start with a lightweight title shot at MFC 39 on January 17, but no opponent has been announced. That does not mean that Southern hasn’t been thinking about anyone in particular.

“Mark has mentioned a few guys, but nothing is set in stone, I don’t know whether I’ll have to use my stand up or my wrestling to go for the submission or the knockout in my next fight.”

“The Hurt” has been putting a hurt on his last two opponents in the MFC ring to earn his title shot with a submission victory over Mukai Maromo at MFC 37 and a TKO over Jonatas Novaes at MFC 38 that avenged his only loss in the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“That first fight that I had with Novaes was my first in 18 months. I was totally dominating that first fight up until he caught me with the arm bar in the third.”

The finishing ability is something that Southern takes pride in and looks forward to bringing each time out in his next fight.

“That’s what important,” Southern says. “That’s what keeps you valuable and relevant.”

As for Southern’s title shot, there is not a lot that he sees going differently and just wants to earn the title that he feels he deserves.

“I just want to win. I want to put on an exciting fight for the fans. I want to win that belt, be the best fighter I can and have the best fight of my life.”

MFC 39 will take place on January 17, 2014 and tickets for the event will be available on Ticket Master soon.

Spencer shelved by shoulder injury

Upcoming surgery for torn labrum keeping MFC lightweight champ out of action

By MFC Staff

The Maximum Fighting Championship will be without rising star and lightweight champion Graham “Cracka” Spencer for an extended period due to injury.

Spencer originally suffered the injury in training camp prior to his title fight against Mukai Maromo at MFC 36 – a bout in which the Nanaimo, B.C., product would submit his foe to claim the MFC’s lightweight belt. Spencer (10-1) put the difficulties aside to secure a third-round submission victory, but the pain never went away. In the end, it was discovered the Spencer fought with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“I couldn’t wrestle for the last month of my camp,” recalled Spencer. “After the fight I went to the doctor and told him about how I was having trouble and he thought I had a bulging disc in my neck so I got a bunch of tests done but nothing was wrong.

“So I got my shoulder x-rayed and it was separated. I did six weeks of rehab for that and tried to go back to training but it still didn’t feel right. Finally I just went and got an MRI and that’s how they found the tear.”

It’s unclear just how long Spencer will be sidelined. First and foremost, he needs to get on the operating table and get surgery to repair the tear.

“I’m very frustrated,” offered Spencer. “The first surgeon I talked to had a two-year waiting list. I’ve got a consult with a different doctor on July 31.

“If I don’t like what he says I’m going to just get it done privately. For now, I’m just working to get enough hours so I can get disability while I’m rehabbing. It doesn’t really bug me too bad unless I wrestle or lift weights but there no way it can hold up to training every day.”

The injury shelves Spencer’s desire to not only defend the lightweight belt but also his attempt to become the MFC’s first double-belt holder with his quest to win the featherweight title as well. Spencer is currently on a five-fight winning streak which includes two wins over Maromo and a decision victory over Shane Nelson at MFC 35.

“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” said Spencer, who was training with Team Alpha Male. “I was going to rent a place in Sacramento so I could be training there all the time and my wife could come down when she was available.

“Plus the MFC has been getting me so much recognition. Now I’m going to have to build it all up again.”

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Maromo wins Rising Star Award at The Bazzie’s

‘Afrikan Assassin’ claims major honor from AXS TV’s ‘Inside MMA’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For the second time in the history of the Maximum Fighting Championship, one of the organization’s fighters has been bestowed with the honor of winning a prestigious Bazzie Award from AXS TV’s “Inside MMA.”

“The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo claimed the Rising Star Award during the special year-end broadcast of ‘The Bazzies’ which aired on Christmas Eve on AXS TV. Maromo won both of his fights in 2012, taking a controversial split-decision verdict from Adam Lynn at MFC 33, and then electrifying the crowd at MFC 34 in the rematch against Lynn when he scored a scintillating second-round knockout which also earned him the MFC’s 2012 Knockout of the Year.

The Bazzies are named after mixed martial arts icon and “Inside MMA” analyst Bas Rutten.

“Winning the Bazzie is an incredible honor and a big part of achieving my dream of becoming an icon in this sport,” said Maromo, who will fight for the vacant MFC lightweight title against Graham Spencer on Friday, February 15 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Prior to Maromo, MFC competitors Jason Kuchera and Aron Lofton received the Bazzie for 2008’s Bloodiest Fight of the Year.

The honor was especially gratifying for Maromo (Twitter: @AfrikanAssassin), who emerged on the scene in 2011 after arriving in the United States on a track and field scholarship from his native Zimbabwe. Now making his home in Edmonton, Alberta, the 29-year-old has become one of the MFC’s most engaging and crowd-pleasing fighters with his colorful personality and striking prowess.

“I couldn’t have done without the MFC family, AXS TV Fights, and all my sponsors who have aided me thus far in my journey,” reflected Maromo.

“It’s surreal every time I see myself in some sort of media. I can’t help but look to the beginning of my journey and realizing how far I’ve come and how far I have left to go.”

Maromo enters the title fight riding a five-fight winning streak. During his tenure under the Maximum Fighting Championship banner, Maromo has won two Knockout of the Night awards, and shared the MFC’s 2011 Fight of the Year with Sabah Fadai.

“I’m particularly proud of Mukai winning the Rising Star Award. He definitely fits the description perfectly,” noted Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“He had an outstanding 2012 and I believe there’s bigger and better things on the horizon for him in 2013 starting with his title fight against Graham Spencer at MFC 36. Mukai has all the makings to go well beyond a Rising Star.”

Tickets for MFC 36: Reality Check are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

Southern signs on with MFC

Talented lightweight draws in for Reality Check card

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Maximum Fighting Championship has added another strong talent to its lightweight division with the signing of Canadian standout Kurt Southern.

Southern (10-3) will make his organizational debut at MFC 36: Reality Check on Friday, February 15 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, product will be part of the main card airing live on AXS TV Fights with his opponent to be determined in the near future.

“I’m really excited to fight for the MFC on AXS TV,” said Southern, who agreed to a multi-fight deal. “It’s a huge opportunity for me. The MFC puts on awesome shows and I can’t wait to be part of that.

“I’m coming to the MFC to put the hurt on the lightweight division. I can’t wait to make an impact in the division. Fans can expect an aggressive style from me – non-stop pressure.

“I want the belt and sometime in 2013, Mark Pavelich will be strapping that belt to my waist.”

Southern (Twitter: @kurtsouthern) carries the third three-fight winning streak of his career into the MFC, with the current run bolstered by a first-round submission victory over Mukai Maromo, who will be the co-headliner at MFC 36 as he takes on Graham Spencer for the MFC’s 155-pound division title. Southern’s current streak includes wins over Jorge Britto and Brad Cardinal, and he has picked up notable career victories over Martin Grandmont, Evan Sanguin, and Kevin Manderson.

Six of Southern’s wins have come by submission where he has put his substantial wrestling background to good use. Southern captured 13 provincial titles and was a five-time medalist at nationals before suiting up with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies wrestling team for two years.

Tickets for MFC 36: Reality Check are on sale now and available via www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

Maromo signs new deal & title fight with MFC

‘Afrikan Assassin’ to meet Spencer in LW championship bout at MFC 36

The Maximum Fighting Championship’s top-ranked lightweight, Mukai Maromo, has signed a new multi-fight deal and a championship bout agreement for MFC 36: Reality Check.

Maromo (8-2), the MFC’s No. 1 contender in the 155-pound division, will meet former foe Graham Spencer (9-1, 1 no contest) for the MFC lightweight crown in the co-main event of MFC 36 on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and live on AXS TV Fights.

“All along my plan has been to become the MFC lightweight champ,” said Maromo. “I want to become the first Canadian-based fighter to win that belt. I want to make that mark, and then I want to defend the title successfully. After that I’ll see where my journey takes me next.”

Maromo previously dropped a decision to Spencer and ‘The Afrikan Assassin’ is desperately seeking a substantial measure of revenge. Nothing would erase the bitterness of that earlier defeat more than a victory in a championship bout.

“That loss has stuck with me, and I need to get it back,” added Maromo, who also hinted that if he does land the MFC’s lightweight belt, he may also go after the title in the MFC’s newly instituted featherweight division.

MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich was not only delighted to sign Maromo to the title fight, but equally ecstatic to have one of the most electrifying fighters in the organization on board with a long-term agreement.

“Many fans and mixed martial arts insiders already view Mukai as the uncrowned champion. Well, what a better way to prove that you truly are the champion than by getting a measure of revenge against the last guy to beat you,” said Pavelich.

 “Mukai and Graham are elite-level fighters – two of the very best in the entire MFC – and they should fight for the title.”

Maromo (Twitter: @afrikanassassin) has been on a tear of late, winning five straight in impressive style. Originally from Zimbabwe and now living in Edmonton, Alberta, Maromo is coming off back-to-back wins over hard-nosed U.S. Marine Adam Lynn at MFCs 33 and 34. Their rematch came to an epic conclusion with Maromo demonstrating his vast striking arsenal en route to a stirring second-round TKO finish that earned him a second career Knockout of the Night honor.

Prior to those two bouts, Maromo rattled off a Knockout of the Night victory over Scott Cleve at MFC 30, and then bested Sabah Fadai at MFC 31 in a matchup that earned the pair the MFC’s Fight of the Year for 2011. Maromo boasts four knockout wins and three victories via submission on his resume.

Spencer (Twitter: @gspence145), who hails from Nanaimo, British Columbia, made his first foray into the Maximum Fighting Championship at MFC 35 and had no trouble cruising to a tidy decision win over Shane Nelson.

A holder of four victories via submission, Spencer will ride a four-fight winning streak into the title fight.

The lone previous lightweight champion in MFC history is Antonio McKee, who defeated Derrick Noble for the belt at MFC 20, and successfully defended it at MFC 26 against Luciano Azevedo.

Tickets for MFC 36: Reality Check are on sale now and available via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

Maromo caps night of knockouts at MFC 34

‘Afrikan Assassin’ awesome, Mutapcic & Flynn set for middleweight title showdown
 
Mukai Maromo erased all doubt arising from his earlier controversial win over Adam Lynn, using a spectacular display of striking skills to knockout his rival in the main event of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s MFC 34: Total Recall.
 
Fighting in front of his home-town fans in Edmonton, Alberta, and live on AXS TV Fights across the United States, Maromo blitzed Lynn with a vicious assault showcasing hand speed, damaging elbow strikes and uppercuts, and destructive knees. “The Afrikan Assassin” was all over Lynn early in the second round, pinning him in the corner and sending the sold-out crowd at the Mayfield Conference Centre into a frenzy with his punishing strikes. But the former U.S. Marine didn’t go away easy until a final knee caught him square on the chin, sending Lynn face first to the canvas.
 
Maromo (8-2) stood over his fallen foe as the referee stepped in to stop the assault at 1:26 of Round 2. Maromo’s fifth consecutive win also earned him the Knockout of the Night award – the second of his career. It was a gut-wrenching loss for Lynn (17-10), who not only failed to make weight causing the bout to be reduced from a title fight to a three-round, non-title affair, but had also lost a highly contentious split-decision to Maromo at MFC 33.
 
The Maromo result capped an exhilarating night of knockouts, two of which cemented the pairing that will vie for the MFC middleweight title in October. A beautiful combination from Joseph “Leonidas” Henle dropped Luke Harris to the mat, and Henle jumped in to finish matters just 1:57 into their bout. Henle (8-0-1) captured his fifth straight win in his MFC debut, while Harris (9-2) saw his nine-fight winning streak – all first-round submissions – come to a screeching halt.
 
Henle, who fights out of Thousand Oaks, California, will meet Elvis “The King” Mutapcic for the MFC’s 185-pound division belt after Mutapcic destroyed Jacen Flynn with a rabid ground-and-pound attack, and getting the victory only 1:39 into their matchup. Like Henle, it was a grand MFC debut for Mutapcic (11-2) who roughed up Flynn (10-3) in the opening seconds and never looked back. Mutapcic, who is originally from Bosnia and now fights out of Des Moines, Iowa, is slated to meet Henle for the title at MFC 35: Explosive Encounter on Oct. 26.
 
The MFC’s re-ignited heavyweight division was launched in impressive fashion as Mike “The Honey Badger” Hackert proved to be the undisputed No. 1 heavyweight in Canada with a quick demolition of Tim Hague in a rematch of their original bout from May that Hackert won via decision. Hackert left no doubt as to his standing in the rankings as he brutalized Hague with lightning-quick punches followed by an attack to the body that crumpled Hague to the canvas. Hackert, who was outweighed by 40 pounds, continued to bang away at Hague’s body before sealing the deal with more ground-and-pound at the 2:27 mark of Round 1.
 
Hackert (6-1) earned his first stoppage victory (five previous wins all by decision) in his first MFC fight, while Hague (14-7) came up short in his MFC debut.
 
The Submission of the Night award went to debuting Montana fighter Jason “The Savage” Zentgraf (6-1) who seized an opportunity and finished off Cody Krahn (11-5), coaxing a tapout via bar-arm choke at 1:15 of Round 1.
 
The MFC 34 main card was rounded out by the return of welterweight prospect Dhiego “Maluco” Lima, who started slowly but regained the form he had shown prior to the only loss on his record – a decision defeat to reigning MFC 170-pound division champ Nathan Coy.
 
Lima (7-1) began to pick apart opponent Nick Hinchliffe (19-9) in Round 2 and by the end of the fight, Hinchliffe was badly damaged by accurate punches and vicious leg kicks. Lima, who fights out of Atlanta, Georgia, showed all the signs that he had recovered from a couple of serious injuries, taking a unanimous decision with 30-27 counts on all three judges’ scorecards.

MFC 34 Other Results:
 
Derek Boyle (8-5) def. Dan Ring (5-1) – TKO, 0:20, Round 1
 
Derek Parker (4-1-1) def. Paul Grandbois (4-4) – Tapout via rear-naked choke, 3:24, Round 1
 
Smealinho Rama (3-0) def. Lee Mein – TKO, 2:49, Round 1

Tickets for MFC 35: Explosive Encounter go on sale Monday, Aug. 13 and are available exclusively through the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.

Schedule Change Tune In MFC 33 comes to TSN 2 This Saturday June 9

Collision Course card one of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s best

One of the most epic and thrilling nights in the 12-year history of the Maximum Fighting Championship is coming to TSN2. 

MFC 33: Collision Course will air on TSN2 on Saturday, June 9 at 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT/1:30 p.m. PT and is sure to be an unforgettable experience of world-class fighters who put everything they’ve got on the line.

The MFC 33 card features the impressive performance put on by newly crowned MFC welterweight champion Nathan “Soul Force” Coy in his quest for the title against home-town hero Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray.

Collision Course also gives mixed martial arts fans across Canada the opportunity to make their own judgment on the highly controversial showdown between former U.S. Marine Adam Lynn and “The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo. The outcome, which left many in disbelief, has already resulted in an immediate rematch slated for MFC 34 on August 10 – and this time with the MFC lightweight title at stake.

MFC 33 also showcased the long-awaited return of accomplished judo/jiu-jitsu practitioner Luke Harris, plus the fiery clash between former hockey enforcer Derek “The Lion” Parker and Jared “The Yeti” McComb.

This was one of the most memorable nights ever for the Maximum Fighting Championship, and fans will be riveted from start to finish. Don’t miss MFC 33: Collision Course on TSN2.

‘Afrikan Assassin’ ready for clash of strikers at MFC 33

Maromo intent on lighting up Lynn

By MFC Staff

Mukai Maromo liked what he saw from his upcoming opponent Adam Lynn.

Give credit where credit is due. Lynn lit up Curtis Demarce at MFC 31, earned the Knockout of the Night, and the MFC’s 2011 Knockout of the Year.

Lynn padded his resume with that win. Maromo would like nothing more than to knock Lynn from the executive office down to the mailroom.

“He looked very good against Curtis, but that’s where I like to play so if he does decide to keep it standing, then it’s going to be fireworks all night baby!” declared “The Afrikan Assassin.”

In what is shaping up to be one of the Maximum Fighting Championship’s all-time classic matchups of potent strikers, Maromo (7-2) meets Lynn (17-8) in a lightweight showdown at MFC 33: Collision Course on Friday, May 4. Their bout will be one of the highlighted attractions on the six-fight main card airing live on HDNet Fights from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).

Despite Lynn’s last impressive outing, an ultra-confident Maromo is set to step between the ring ropes and face the stiffest test of his burgeoning career.

“I’m very excited about fighting him. It’s a welcome upgrade in the caliber of competition,” noted Maromo.

“I see it being a very exciting stand-up battle, and everyone can expect another dynamite performance on my part for sure. Adam’s KO was a spectacular one for sure, but that has absolutely no bearing on our fight. If anything it serves as a marker for where I need to be in order to take the next step, and I eagerly await the challenge.”

Maromo has started to build up his own highlight reel under the MFC banner. At MFC 30, he clobbered Scott Cleve in only 36 seconds, earning the Knockout of the Night for his quick work. That performance, followed by Lynn’s nasty work at MFC 31, set the stage for their clash at MFC 33 marking the first time in organizational history that back-to-back winners of the Knockout of the Night award will meet.

The native of Zimbabwe, who first moved to the United States on a track scholarship before coming to Canada, rattled off the best outing of his young career at MFC 31 when he took apart fellow Muay Thai practitioner Sabah Fadai in a convincing three-round verdict.

Having healed up from a hand injury, Maromo is fully prepped to take on Lynn, the onetime United States Marine.

“I’m glad to be a part of such an exciting piece of MFC history for sure, and it makes for an exciting night for everybody having that much knockout power in the ring at the same time,” said Maromo.

“I had been a little more tentative with my Muay Thai because my ground game was not where I needed it to be, but now it’s exactly where I need it to be. If you thought that last fight was a good one wait till you see this one.”

Maromo and Lynn are certainly frontrunners in the next wave of contenders for the MFC lightweight belt. An impressive showing by either man will put him at the centre of the title picture. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Maromo would love the opportunity to represent the MFC by wearing a championship belt.

“The MFC lightweight title scene has been very interesting of late, and after I get this win over Adam, I’m planning on taking one more fight before I make my bid for the strap, so let it be known, “The Afrikan Assassin” officially has gold fever,” stated Maromo.

“As far as I’m concerned I have both long- and short-term goals. I’m obviously in this to try and be the best at it so each fight serves as a measuring stick for how much I have improved. So with that in mind the majority of my focus is on the fight at hand, but as far as my standing in the MFC lightweight ranks goes, I think I just made a big splash, but also have a way to go before I reach the top of that ladder.”

Tickets for MFC 33: Collision Course are going fast and available only via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.

Main card set for MFC 33

Maromo vs. Lynn plus two more bouts added to Collision Course on May 4

The Maximum Fighting Championship has completed its lineup of the main card for MFC 33: Collision Course slated for Friday, May 4 in Edmonton, Alberta.

The main card, highlighted by the MFC welterweight title tilt between Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray and Nathan “Soulforce” Coy, will air live on HDNet Fights from the Mayfield Conference Centre beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).

For the first time in organization history, back-to-back winners of the Knockout of the Night will clash as home-town favorite “The African Assassin” Mukai Maromo tangles with Adam Lynn in a lightweight matchup. Maromo (6-2) captured the KO of the Night honor at MFC 30 as he felled Scott Cleve in just 36 seconds. Maromo ran his winning streak to three straight when he captured a convincing unanimous decision verdict over Sabah Fadai at MFC 31.

At MFC 31, it was Lynn’s turn to take home the KO of the Night award when he blasted Curtis Demarce with a vicious elbow only 1:38 into their encounter. Lynn, who fights out of Laguna Hills, California, would later get the nod for the MFC’s 2011 Knockout of the Year. Lynn (17-8) is on a real tear having won six straight with the demolition of Demarce being the sixth knockout victory of his 10-year career.

Another home-town fighter has a spot on the MFC 33 roster as Cody “Genghis” Krahn meets up with MFC newcomer Mike Kent in a middleweight bout. Krahn (11-4), who has won eight of his last 10 outings and has eight submission wins under his belt, finally earned his long-awaited first win under the MFC banner when he scored a hard-fought, first-round submission of Ryan Chiappe at MFC 31.

But Krahn doesn’t have an easy task ahead of him in the unbeaten Kent (8-0), who hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Kent has finished all but one of his fights, and has stopped his opposition four times inside the first round.

Chiappe (8-7) will get a chance to redeem himself at MFC 33 as he meets the rejuvenated Jamie “The Ghost” Toney (15-7) in a welterweight showdown. Chiappe, a native of Prince George, British Columbia, has won four of his last six outings, and boasts six knockouts on his resume.

Toney, the Bas Rutten-trained talent from Los Angeles, California, was stopped by Dhiego Lima in his organizational debut at MFC 30, but rebounded with a clear-cut decision victory over Kyle Jackson at MFC 32 in January – a battle that is an early contender for the MFC’s 2012 Fight of the Year. A well-rounded battler, Toney has six knockouts and seven submission victories to his credit.

MFC 33: Collision Course Main Card

Nathan Coy vs. Ryan McGillivray – MFC welterweight title

Adam Lynn vs. Mukai Maromo – lightweight

Aron Lofton vs. Dwayne Lewis – light-heavyweight

Jamie Toney vs. Ryan Chiappe – welterweight

Mike Kent vs. Cody Krahn – middleweight

Diego Bautista vs. Sabah Fadai – lightweight

Tickets for MFC 33: Collision Course are on sale now and available exclusively through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.