Heath targeting Teixeira and Title Shot

[keithlewis]

Heath targeting Teixeira and title shot

Tulsa product looking to improve on smashing performance at MFC 27


David Heath hit the daily double at his last MFC outing.

He hit the finish line against Solomon Hutcherson with a win in his pocket
and the bonus of capturing the Knockout of the Night at MFC 26 with a
highlight-reel stoppage from a picture-perfect left-handed Superman punch
that brought a sold-out crowd to its feet in a heartbeat.

Yet Heath expects more from himself. Although he looked sensational at the
end of the bout, Heath remains critical of the performance.

"I feel really poorly about how I performed against Solomon in a couple of
areas and I can't wait to wipe that egg off my face," recalled Heath (16-6).
"I'm a bit embarrassed about part of it and some poor bastard is going to
have to pay."

Lined up to be Heath's intended target is Glover Teixeira (10-2) and the two
will get down to business at MFC 27: Breaking Point on Friday, November 12
at the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta. The
bout will be one of the featured matchups on the main card airing live on
HDNet Fights.

Already one of the MFC's fan favorites, Heath further endeared himself to
the already-partial crowd with offensive flare (including a spinning
backfist) and the massive shot that ended Hutcherson's night in bloody and
bruised fashion. The Superman punch finish was a thing of beauty and a
sure-fire contender for the MFC's 2010 Knockout of the Year. Now Heath will
have a chance to follow up that performance and put a wrap on a terrific
campaign when he meets Teixeira at MFC 27.

The sold-out crowd will be anticipating another stylish show from Heath, and
the Tulsa, Oklahoma, product is just as eager to give it to them.

"I just like to fight and I think I'm pretty good at it so I'm going to have
fun and put on a show for the people who pay me to do it - the fans," said
Heath. "I'll start looking for the knockout but I'll take a submission or
hope for a decision in an all-out war if that's what it takes. I would like
another trophy though."

Heath can certainly expect a war from the Brazilian Teixeira, a reputed
striker who boasts eight knockouts among his 10 career victories. But
Heath's enthusiasm for the sport and drive to succeed has reimmerged over
the past year and the opportunity to get into a toe-to-toe battle is right
up his alley.

"I do think it will be a mostly stand-up fight but I've learned that you
have to be prepared for anything and everything," noted Heath, who is riding
a run of five wins in his last six fights into the showdown with Teixeira.

Case in point was Heath's clash at MFC 20 against former light heavyweight
champ Roger Hollett - another renowned heavy hitter yet Heath used his savvy
skills to secure a quick first-round submission. Heath also expected a more
diverse matchup against jiu-jitsu practitioner Mike Nickels at MFC 22 but it
turned out to be a stand-and-strike war that ultimately earned both fighters
a share of the MFC's 2009 Fight of the Year.

Heath found his stride against Hutcherson and seemed ready to take on anyone
willing to step up in the MFC's middleweight ranks. Yet one fight later it's
back to the light heavyweight division.

"The reason I made the move to 185 was to gain more favorable matchups in
regards to size and strength," reflected Heath, who recently signed a new,
three-fight exclusive contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

"Glover is listed as being under six feet and doesn't look to be huge. Also
I've watched video on him and I believe his style to be favorable for me so
really it wasn't a hard decision at all. I will weigh the same come fight
time as I would if I were fighting at 185 anyway so I feel great about it. I
love the matchup."

With a win over Hutcherson in the bank at middleweight, and the possibility
of victory on the horizon against Teixeira at light heavyweight, Heath could
be on the verge on writing his own ticket towards one of two title shots.

"I think I could compete in both weight classes but I honestly I think I
need to focus on the 185 belt," noted Heath. "I think I'm pretty close to
getting a title shot and I want to focus on defending it once I win it ...
which I will."