MFC 36 Adds Middleweights Silva-Flynn, Zentgraf-Harris
The Maximum Fighting Championship has bolstered its lineup for MFC 36: Reality Check with a pair of key fights in the middleweight division featuring fan favorites.
Newly signed Jay "Da Spyda Killa" Silva (8-6) will meet Jacen Flynn (10-3) in one middleweight matchup, while Jason "The Savage" Zentgraf (6-1) will collide with Luke Harris (9-2) in the other.
Both critical contests in the MFC's talent-laden 185-pound division will be part of the AXS TV Fights main card broadcast taking place live on Friday, February 15 from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The AXS TV Fights main card launches at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).
"The MFC really started to produce exceptional talent in the middleweight division in 2012, and these two fights – part of our first show in 2013 – is a direct result of that talent influx," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"There was a huge level of excitement around the MMA world when we signed Jay Silva, and immediately Jacen Flynn jumped at the opportunity because he wants to prove he's much better than when we saw last time out.
"As for Jason Zentgraf, he wanted to step up in competition and he matches up very well with Luke Harris. And Luke is very eager to start a new winning streak. Both these guys want to be front and center in the title picture so it is a fitting matchup – and I believe it will be a very exciting one as well."
Silva (Twitter: @jaysilvamma) will be making his organizational debut and he enters the MFC ring having won three of his last five fights including the biggest victory of his career as the Huntington Beach, California, product is coming off a stellar second-round submission of Kendall Grove.
In Flynn (Twitter: @JacenFlynnMMA), Silva meets an opponent who has nine victories by way of submission and holds career wins over notables Denis Kang, Dean Lister, and Edwin Dewees. Flynn, who fights out of Twin Falls, Idaho, had his four-fight winning streak snapped at MFC 34 when he dropped a first-round TKO verdict in a title eliminator to now-reigning MFC middleweight champ Elvis Mutapcic.
Zentgraf (Twitter: @JasonZentgraf) rides into MFC 36 carrying a three-fight winning streak capped most recently by his first-round submission over Cody Krahn at MFC 34. The Missoula, Montana, product has flexed his substantial submission skills, earning all six of his wins via tapout and five of those six victories coming inside the opening round.
"I'm totally pumped for this fight," said Zentgraf, who opened up the opportunity by extending a challenge to fight Harris on the MFC website.
At MFC 34, Harris (Twitter: @HayabusaHarris) saw his impressive nine-fight unbeaten run come to an end with a first-round TKO setback against Joseph "Leonidas" Henle. The St. Albert, Alberta, product has won all nine of his bouts by way of first-round submission, including a quick stoppage of Edwin Dewees at MFC 33. Already an accomplished judo player, Harris was awarded his second black belt and now holds that prestigious level in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Adding to the middleweight frenzy at MFC 36, an undercard bout has also been set in the division. Coming off his thrilling victory at MFC 35, Paul "The Punisher" Grandbois (5-4) will toe the line with Cody "Genghis" Krahn (11-6) in a showdown of rival Edmonton, Alberta, fighters.
Last time out, Grandbois (Twitter: @PunisherPG) put forth the performance of his career with a Knockout of the Night finish and a potential MFC Fight of the Year for his second-round TKO finish of Jason Kuchera. Five of Grandbois' wins have been via T/KO with four of those five coming in the opening round.
Krahn has lost two straight with his last victory coming at MFC 31 when he submitted Ryan Chiappe. All 11 of Krahn's win have come in Round 1, three via knockout and eight by submission.
MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
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Re: MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
MFC Signs Sam Alvey, to Face Elvis Mutapcic at MFC 36
Maximum Fighting Championship middleweight title-holder Elvis "The King" Mutapcic make the first defense of his belt at MFC 36: Reality Check when he takes on newly signed "Smilin" Sam Alvey.
The Mutapcic-Alvey showdown will be the co-main event alongside the previously announced battle for the vacant MFC lightweight title fight that has "The Afrikan Assassin" Mukai Maromo squaring off against Graham Spencer. Both fights will top the MFC 36 lineup airing live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15.
Alvey (19-4, 1 NC), who agreed to a multi-fight deal with the MFC, is expecting that his clash with Mutapcic (12-2) will feature plenty of fireworks. The 26-year-old, who trains in Murrieta, California, has notched 11 wins by way of knockout and added a pair of victories by submission, while Mutapcic has finished 11 of his 12 opponents inside the distance. Mutapcic (Twitter: @ElvisMutapcic) earned the fifth knockout of his career and captured the MFC's 185-pound division crown when he stopped Joseph "Leonidas" Henle at MFC 35.
"I think anyone who knows me and knows Elvis knows that this fight is going to end in a knockout," said Alvey, a former TUF reality show competitor. "We're both good strikers and we're going to settle things striking.
"The only difference is that Elvis thinks his striking is better than mine, but I know my striking is better than his."
Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) has won four of his last five outings, highlighted by back-to-back first-round knockouts. His career is punctuated by a pair of four-fight winning streaks, and an impressive seven-fight run that included wins over Karl Amoussou and Jason Guida.
The Wisconsin product began his mixed martial arts career five years ago following a stint at Div. III Lakeland College where he suited up for the football and wrestling teams. A former standout trumpet player, some Alvey's free time away from training is taken up with planning his upcoming wedding to "America's Next Top Model" winner McKey Sullivan. The couple will be married on January 19, and then Sullivan will trade in her gown for a t-shirt as Alvey's chief cornerman.
A belated wedding present for Alvey would be leaving MFC 36 with the Maximum Fighting Championship's middleweight belt.
"I'm incredibly excited to be coming to the MFC, and it's amazing to be getting a shot at the title," said Alvey. "When I started training five years ago, I got addicted and it's become my life.
"My nickname is 'Smilin' because I love being in this sport. Nothing makes me happier than standing in the ring across from a worthy opponent ... and Elvis is definitely a worthy opponent."
MFC 36: Reality Check – Fights confirmed to date
Graham Spencer vs. Mukai Maromo – MFC lightweight title
Sam Alvey vs. Elvis Mutapcic – MFC middleweight title
Smealinho Rama vs. Mike Hackert – heavyweight
Jason Zentgraf vs. Luke Harris – middleweight
Jacen Flynn vs. Jay Silva – middleweight
Maximum Fighting Championship middleweight title-holder Elvis "The King" Mutapcic make the first defense of his belt at MFC 36: Reality Check when he takes on newly signed "Smilin" Sam Alvey.
The Mutapcic-Alvey showdown will be the co-main event alongside the previously announced battle for the vacant MFC lightweight title fight that has "The Afrikan Assassin" Mukai Maromo squaring off against Graham Spencer. Both fights will top the MFC 36 lineup airing live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15.
Alvey (19-4, 1 NC), who agreed to a multi-fight deal with the MFC, is expecting that his clash with Mutapcic (12-2) will feature plenty of fireworks. The 26-year-old, who trains in Murrieta, California, has notched 11 wins by way of knockout and added a pair of victories by submission, while Mutapcic has finished 11 of his 12 opponents inside the distance. Mutapcic (Twitter: @ElvisMutapcic) earned the fifth knockout of his career and captured the MFC's 185-pound division crown when he stopped Joseph "Leonidas" Henle at MFC 35.
"I think anyone who knows me and knows Elvis knows that this fight is going to end in a knockout," said Alvey, a former TUF reality show competitor. "We're both good strikers and we're going to settle things striking.
"The only difference is that Elvis thinks his striking is better than mine, but I know my striking is better than his."
Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) has won four of his last five outings, highlighted by back-to-back first-round knockouts. His career is punctuated by a pair of four-fight winning streaks, and an impressive seven-fight run that included wins over Karl Amoussou and Jason Guida.
The Wisconsin product began his mixed martial arts career five years ago following a stint at Div. III Lakeland College where he suited up for the football and wrestling teams. A former standout trumpet player, some Alvey's free time away from training is taken up with planning his upcoming wedding to "America's Next Top Model" winner McKey Sullivan. The couple will be married on January 19, and then Sullivan will trade in her gown for a t-shirt as Alvey's chief cornerman.
A belated wedding present for Alvey would be leaving MFC 36 with the Maximum Fighting Championship's middleweight belt.
"I'm incredibly excited to be coming to the MFC, and it's amazing to be getting a shot at the title," said Alvey. "When I started training five years ago, I got addicted and it's become my life.
"My nickname is 'Smilin' because I love being in this sport. Nothing makes me happier than standing in the ring across from a worthy opponent ... and Elvis is definitely a worthy opponent."
MFC 36: Reality Check – Fights confirmed to date
Graham Spencer vs. Mukai Maromo – MFC lightweight title
Sam Alvey vs. Elvis Mutapcic – MFC middleweight title
Smealinho Rama vs. Mike Hackert – heavyweight
Jason Zentgraf vs. Luke Harris – middleweight
Jacen Flynn vs. Jay Silva – middleweight
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Re: MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
MFC Signs Canadian Standout Kurt Southern
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.
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.
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Re: MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
Castillo to Clash with Southern at MFC 36: Reality Check
The Maximum Fighting Championship has set a lightweight matchup for the main card of MFC 36: Reality Check that will pit a pair of newly signed competitors against each other.
Recently signed Canadian standout Kurt Southern (10-3) will make his first foray under the MFC banner against American Dave Castillo (16-5, 1 NC), who has agreed to a new multi-fight contract. Their clash will kick off the main card airing live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15.
Castillo, who fights out of Salt Lake City, Utah, comes to the MFC with wins in six of his last eight fights including notable verdicts over John Gunderson, Mario Espinoza, and Gordon Bell. The 30-year-old has set his sights the MFC lightweight belt, and he'll get a good look at his main competition at MFC 36. Not only is Southern a big challenge for him but so too are Graham Spencer and Mukai Maromo who will battle for the belt in the co-main event that night.
"I'm going to be biting at their heels," said Castillo of the title-fight foes. "I know that if I get a couple wins starting with Southern and I'm impressive doing it I'm going to get my shot at the title.
"I'm very excited about coming to the MFC. When I was starting out and I wanted to move up, I wanted to come to the MFC to face better opposition and to win a belt that would mean something. Now I'm here and I'm going to win it."
Castillo has proven to be a finisher throughout his career. He opened his career with a seven-fight winning streak, and the first 11 victories on his resume were all stoppages. In total, Castillo has finished 14 of his 16 opponents, winning six by knockout and eight via submission, and he has captured seven wins inside the first round.
"I do have those eight wins by submission but most of those have really been from strikes that set up the submission," noted Castillo. "I consider myself a striker who has good submissions.
"I want to stand and trade with Southern. I know he's an experienced wrestler so I'm working on my takedown defense. But even if he does get me down, I've got my submissions, and I still strike from the bottom. I never stop striking."
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Southern (Twitter: @kurtsouthern) rides a three-fight win streak into the matchup – a run highlighted by a first-round submission victory over Maromo. Southern's current streak – the third three-fight win streaking of his career – includes wins over Jorge Britto and Brad Cardinal, and he has picked up notable career victories over Martin Grandmont, Evan Sanguin, and Kevin Manderson.
The Maximum Fighting Championship has set a lightweight matchup for the main card of MFC 36: Reality Check that will pit a pair of newly signed competitors against each other.
Recently signed Canadian standout Kurt Southern (10-3) will make his first foray under the MFC banner against American Dave Castillo (16-5, 1 NC), who has agreed to a new multi-fight contract. Their clash will kick off the main card airing live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15.
Castillo, who fights out of Salt Lake City, Utah, comes to the MFC with wins in six of his last eight fights including notable verdicts over John Gunderson, Mario Espinoza, and Gordon Bell. The 30-year-old has set his sights the MFC lightweight belt, and he'll get a good look at his main competition at MFC 36. Not only is Southern a big challenge for him but so too are Graham Spencer and Mukai Maromo who will battle for the belt in the co-main event that night.
"I'm going to be biting at their heels," said Castillo of the title-fight foes. "I know that if I get a couple wins starting with Southern and I'm impressive doing it I'm going to get my shot at the title.
"I'm very excited about coming to the MFC. When I was starting out and I wanted to move up, I wanted to come to the MFC to face better opposition and to win a belt that would mean something. Now I'm here and I'm going to win it."
Castillo has proven to be a finisher throughout his career. He opened his career with a seven-fight winning streak, and the first 11 victories on his resume were all stoppages. In total, Castillo has finished 14 of his 16 opponents, winning six by knockout and eight via submission, and he has captured seven wins inside the first round.
"I do have those eight wins by submission but most of those have really been from strikes that set up the submission," noted Castillo. "I consider myself a striker who has good submissions.
"I want to stand and trade with Southern. I know he's an experienced wrestler so I'm working on my takedown defense. But even if he does get me down, I've got my submissions, and I still strike from the bottom. I never stop striking."
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Southern (Twitter: @kurtsouthern) rides a three-fight win streak into the matchup – a run highlighted by a first-round submission victory over Maromo. Southern's current streak – the third three-fight win streaking of his career – includes wins over Jorge Britto and Brad Cardinal, and he has picked up notable career victories over Martin Grandmont, Evan Sanguin, and Kevin Manderson.
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Re: MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
Bercier-Silva Set for MFC 36: Reality Check on Feb. 15
The Maximum Fighting Championship has finalized its main-card lineup for MFC 36: Reality Check with a newly signed middleweight bout.
Jay "Da Spyda Killa" Silva will now take on Leo "Bushido" Bercier in one of three middleweight clashes slated for the MFC 36 main card. The strength and depth of the MFC's 185-pound division will certainly be on display as the Silva/Bercier encounter is joined on the card by the MFC middleweight title fight pitting defending champion Elvis "The King" Mutapcic against "Smilen" Sam Alvey, plus the meeting between Jason "The Savage" Zentgraf versus Luke "Hayabusa" Harris.
All three fights will be featured on the AXS TV Fights card airing live from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).
Bercier (7-2-1, 1 NC) enters the MFC having won two of his last three outings – both victories coming by knockout. The Missoula, Montana, product holds six career wins via knockout, and six of his seven verdicts have come inside the opening round. Bercier (Twitter: @LBercier) steps in to replace previously announced Jacen Flynn, who chose to back out of the fight.
Silva (Twitter: @jaysilvamma) will be making his long-awaited organizational debut and he enters the MFC ring having won three of his last five fights including the biggest victory of his career. Silva (8-6), who fights out of Huntington Beach, California, is coming off a stellar second-round submission of Kendall Grove.
The six-fight main card for MFC 36 live on AXS TV Fights is now set with the following bouts:
Graham Spencer (9-1, 1 NC) vs. Mukai Maromo (8-2), MFC lightweight title
Sam Alvey (19-4, 1 NC) vs. Elvis Mutapcic (12-2), MFC middleweight title
Mike Hackert (6-1) vs. Smealinho Rama (5-0), heavyweight
Jason Zentgraf (6-1) vs. Luke Harris (9-2), middleweight
Leo Bercier (7-2-1, 1 NC) vs. Jay Silva (8-6), middleweight
Dave Castillo (16-5, 1 NC) vs. Kurt Southern (10-3), lightweight
An announcement regarding the undercard will be revealed in the near future.
The Maximum Fighting Championship has finalized its main-card lineup for MFC 36: Reality Check with a newly signed middleweight bout.
Jay "Da Spyda Killa" Silva will now take on Leo "Bushido" Bercier in one of three middleweight clashes slated for the MFC 36 main card. The strength and depth of the MFC's 185-pound division will certainly be on display as the Silva/Bercier encounter is joined on the card by the MFC middleweight title fight pitting defending champion Elvis "The King" Mutapcic against "Smilen" Sam Alvey, plus the meeting between Jason "The Savage" Zentgraf versus Luke "Hayabusa" Harris.
All three fights will be featured on the AXS TV Fights card airing live from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).
Bercier (7-2-1, 1 NC) enters the MFC having won two of his last three outings – both victories coming by knockout. The Missoula, Montana, product holds six career wins via knockout, and six of his seven verdicts have come inside the opening round. Bercier (Twitter: @LBercier) steps in to replace previously announced Jacen Flynn, who chose to back out of the fight.
Silva (Twitter: @jaysilvamma) will be making his long-awaited organizational debut and he enters the MFC ring having won three of his last five fights including the biggest victory of his career. Silva (8-6), who fights out of Huntington Beach, California, is coming off a stellar second-round submission of Kendall Grove.
The six-fight main card for MFC 36 live on AXS TV Fights is now set with the following bouts:
Graham Spencer (9-1, 1 NC) vs. Mukai Maromo (8-2), MFC lightweight title
Sam Alvey (19-4, 1 NC) vs. Elvis Mutapcic (12-2), MFC middleweight title
Mike Hackert (6-1) vs. Smealinho Rama (5-0), heavyweight
Jason Zentgraf (6-1) vs. Luke Harris (9-2), middleweight
Leo Bercier (7-2-1, 1 NC) vs. Jay Silva (8-6), middleweight
Dave Castillo (16-5, 1 NC) vs. Kurt Southern (10-3), lightweight
An announcement regarding the undercard will be revealed in the near future.
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Re: MFC 36: Reality Check - Card Updates
Jonatas Novaes Signs Four-Fight Deal with MFC
Submission ace Jonatas "Peixe Frito" Novaes has been selected by the Maximum Fighting Championship to join its lightweight ranks and he immediately jumps into a spot on the upcoming MFC 36: Reality Check lineup.
Novaes (10-4) replaces David Castillo for a tilt against Kurt Southern (10-3) at MFC 36 which takes on Friday, February 15. Castillo has been sidelined by a serious neck injury discovered during medicals.
Both the Novaes-Southern matchup and the recently altered middleweight tussle between Clay Davidson (filling in for the injured Luke Harris) and Jason Zentgraf will be featured bouts on the MFC 36: Reality Check main card which will air live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
"I've been training hard and I had a feeling that something good was going to happen for me," said Novaes. "To get the opportunity to fight in the MFC and on AXS TV and against a good opponent like Kurt, I'm very excited about everything.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm very happy. I'm going to train even harder now and make something big happen."
Novaes (Twitter: @jonatasnovaes) enters the MFC having won five of his last six fights and is coming off the first knockout of his career – a 51-second destruction of Drew Fickett back in June. That victory boosted Novaes to 75th in the world rankings compiled by Fight Matrix (http://www.fightmatrix.com/mma-ranks/lightweight/2/).
The 31-year-old, who is originally from Conceicao da Barra, Brazil, boasts seven career wins via submission, and seven of his 10 wins have come inside the first round.
A decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner, Novaes, who now lives in Chicago and has agreed a four-fight deal with the MFC, has earned a plethora of titles in various grappling tournaments highlighted by championships at the Pan-American and American Nationals as well as major meets in Brazil, Las Vegas, Toronto, Dallas, and Chicago.
"I'm a jiu-jitsu guy because that's what I've been doing my whole life but in MMA I'm a complete fighter," noted Novaes. "You saw that in my fight against Fickett when I knocked him out with a head kick. I've worked on my stand-up, my wrestling, everything to make me a complete fighter."
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Southern (Twitter: @kurtsouthern) rides a three-fight win streak into the matchup – a run highlighted by a first-round submission victory over MFC lightweight title hopeful Mukai Maromo.
Southern's current streak – the third three-fight run of his career – includes wins over Jorge Britto and Brad Cardinal, and he has picked up notable career victories over Martin Grandmont, Evan Sanguin, and Kevin Manderson.
Submission ace Jonatas "Peixe Frito" Novaes has been selected by the Maximum Fighting Championship to join its lightweight ranks and he immediately jumps into a spot on the upcoming MFC 36: Reality Check lineup.
Novaes (10-4) replaces David Castillo for a tilt against Kurt Southern (10-3) at MFC 36 which takes on Friday, February 15. Castillo has been sidelined by a serious neck injury discovered during medicals.
Both the Novaes-Southern matchup and the recently altered middleweight tussle between Clay Davidson (filling in for the injured Luke Harris) and Jason Zentgraf will be featured bouts on the MFC 36: Reality Check main card which will air live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
"I've been training hard and I had a feeling that something good was going to happen for me," said Novaes. "To get the opportunity to fight in the MFC and on AXS TV and against a good opponent like Kurt, I'm very excited about everything.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm very happy. I'm going to train even harder now and make something big happen."
Novaes (Twitter: @jonatasnovaes) enters the MFC having won five of his last six fights and is coming off the first knockout of his career – a 51-second destruction of Drew Fickett back in June. That victory boosted Novaes to 75th in the world rankings compiled by Fight Matrix (http://www.fightmatrix.com/mma-ranks/lightweight/2/).
The 31-year-old, who is originally from Conceicao da Barra, Brazil, boasts seven career wins via submission, and seven of his 10 wins have come inside the first round.
A decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner, Novaes, who now lives in Chicago and has agreed a four-fight deal with the MFC, has earned a plethora of titles in various grappling tournaments highlighted by championships at the Pan-American and American Nationals as well as major meets in Brazil, Las Vegas, Toronto, Dallas, and Chicago.
"I'm a jiu-jitsu guy because that's what I've been doing my whole life but in MMA I'm a complete fighter," noted Novaes. "You saw that in my fight against Fickett when I knocked him out with a head kick. I've worked on my stand-up, my wrestling, everything to make me a complete fighter."
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Southern (Twitter: @kurtsouthern) rides a three-fight win streak into the matchup – a run highlighted by a first-round submission victory over MFC lightweight title hopeful Mukai Maromo.
Southern's current streak – the third three-fight run of his career – includes wins over Jorge Britto and Brad Cardinal, and he has picked up notable career victories over Martin Grandmont, Evan Sanguin, and Kevin Manderson.
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