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Marcus Davis to debut at Conquer against 'Ragin' Kajan Johnson



Already sporting a talent-rich lightweight roster, the Maximum Fighting Championship has added one of the division's most powerful strikers, and a fighter who has targeted big finishes in fan-favorite encounters.

Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis has signed a multi-fight deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship, and will make his much-anticipated debut when S.L. Feldman's & Associates presents MFC 29: Conquer at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Friday, April 8. Tickets for the event go on sale at Noon ET on Friday, March 4 at http://www.caesarswindsor.com and The Colosseum box office.

Davis (17-8) is expected to meet the livewire "Ragin" Kajan Johnson (18-11-1) in one of the featured matchups that will air live on HDNet Fights.

The Bangor, Maine, product and member of Team Sityodtong already feels like he has found a home in the MFC which prides itself in pushing the entertainment envelope.

"I feel I'm sort of the Nostradamus of MMA," explained Davis. "When I started in the sport I was talking to boxing magazines and told them that MMA was going to take over boxing. They said I was crazy but it happened.

"I feel the same about being in the MFC. (Owner/President) Mark Pavelich has done a very good job not only developing his brand but also developing his fighters. That's why I made the choice I did.

"I'm a fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve. I go out and give it all I've got to be entertaining. I think my style fits very well with the MFC."

Davis is well-known for his all-out clashes as the 37-year-old has built a reputation of fights that leave a lasting impression. His career is highlighted by an 11-fight winning streak that included victories over notables such as Pete Spratt, Shonie Carter, Forrest Petz, Paul Taylor, and Jess Liaudin. While building up six knockouts and eight submission stoppages, Davis has captured victories over rival big punchers such as Jonathan Goulet, Chris Lytle, and Paul Kelly.

"No matter what, every time I fight, I try to end the fight and I'm bleeding all over somebody," cracked Davis.

"I think the MFC lightweight division is stacked but there's no doubt I'm the best striker. That's what I'm going to bring. I'm going to get right in there. I'm looking forward to coming in and making a big splash."

Johnson, who fights out of Vancouver, B.C., is coming off a one-sided decision win over Ryan Healy at MFC 27. Although Johnson sports four knockouts and 10 submissions on his resume, Davis doesn't expect his upcoming foe to be ready for this sizeable step up.

"He hasn't faced the type of competition I've faced and he has no idea the level of where my confidence is at," added Davis. "He's tough but I'm very confident."

Jimmo to defend title at MFC 29 against Newton

Rematch between light heavyweight rivals tabbed as Conquer co-main event



A second spectacular title fight will be featured on the stacked lineup for MFC 29: Conquer.

Just six weeks after claiming the MFC world light heavyweight title, newly crowned champion Ryan "The Big Deal" Jimmo will defend his belt against former champ Emanuel

"The Hardcore Kid" Newton in the co-main event of the show slated for Friday, April 8 at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor. The bout is subject to OAC approval.

This title fight joins the scheduled battle between defending MFC world welterweight champ Douglas "The Phenom" Lima and "Dangerous" Terry Martin which tops the bill of the S.L. Feldman's & Associates presented card airing live on HDNet Fights.

The Jimmo-Newton clash will be a rematch between the two combatants. They originally squared-off at MFC 23 with Jimmo taking a unanimous decision.

Jimmo (14-1), who also re-signed a new multi-fight contract, captured the organization's 205-pound title at MFC 28 by topping Dwayne Lewis midway through the third round via a doctor's stoppage TKO. It was the 14th consecutive victory for the Halifax, Nova Scotia, product who now fights out of Edmonton, Alberta. Jimmo's resume, which boasts six knockouts and two submissions, holds career wins over Wilson Gouveia, Marvin Eastman, and Jesse Forbes.

Newton (14-6-1) was also successful on the same night as he returned to the MFC in dramatic fashion with a second-round submission win via rear-naked choke over Rodney Wallace.

The Long Beach, California, native, who racked up an 11-fight unbeaten streak over a three-year period earlier in his career, claimed the light heavyweight crown at MFC 19 with a convincing decision win over Roger Hollett. But Newton's reign was a short one as he dropped the title in his lone defense, falling in a five-round affair to Trevor Prangley at MFC 21.

Newton's career log boasts two wins coming by way of knockout and five via submission. Along the way, Newton has defeated the likes of David Heath and Kyacey Uscola.

Franca enters Conquer fray

Veteran lightweight to face Fickett at MFC 29


Another talented veteran has been added to the ever-deepening talent pool of the Maximum Fighting Championship's lightweight division.

Hermes "The Unreal" Franca (20-9) has signed a multi-fight deal with the organization and is slated to make his debut at MFC 29: Conquer on Friday, April 8 in the co-main event against Drew "Night Rider" Fickett (41-12). The bout is subject to OAC approval.

The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil, had originally signed with the MFC two years ago, but decided instead to enter into retirement from fighting and focus on training students in Jupiter, Florida. But with a change of heart, Franca re-emerged in the past few months and readily agreed to finally hit the MFC frontier.

"I'm very intrigued to see what Hermes can do in the MFC, and especially with him meeting Drew Fickett in his first fight," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "Hermes is extremely talented as his record shows, and I have made it very clear that I believe Fickett is one of the world's best fighters at 155 pounds.

"This matchup is going to be very exciting, fast-paced, and I'm sure a very wild crowd-pleaser."

A pair of impressive eight-fight winning streaks highlight Franca's resume. The five-foot-six fighter opened his career with eight straight victories including first-round submissions of both Mike Thomas Brown and Ryan Diaz, a decision win over Rich Crunkilton, and then a devastating second-round TKO of Japanese standout Caol Uno.

The second outstanding run of Franca's career was bolstered by several wins over big-name rivals. After dispatching of Gabe Ruediger by way of knockout in only 36 seconds, Franca went on to post armbar submission wins over both Nate Diaz and Jamie Varner before rounding out the eight-fight run with a second-round stoppage of Spencer Fisher. Another important victory in Franca's career came in late 2008 when he scored a decision verdict over bitter rival, fellow Brazilian, and former jiu-jitsu instructor Marcus Aurelio.

Fickett, who fights out of Tucson, Arizona, ran his current winning streak to five with a slick and tidy armbar submission of Matt Veach just 36 seconds into their matchup at MFC 28. Fickett also holds a win over Franca's former training partner Kurt Pellegrino.

Marcus Davis will now make his promotional debut against Curtis DeMarce on April 8th at Maximum Fighting Championship 29 after his originally scheduled opponent, Kajan Johnson, was forced out of the bout due to a shoulder injury.

Martin's brains match his brawn - Well-educated challenger has eyes on Lima's belt


One might not expect a heavy-handed brawler with a penchant for going
toe-to-toe with his opponents to actually outthink an upcoming foe.

But if there was ever a prime example of this uncanny ability, it just may
very well belong to Terry Martin, making him an even more "Dangerous" threat
to current MFC welterweight champ Douglas "The Phenom" Lima.

Martin (21-8) will challenge Lima (17-4) for the belt at MFC 29: Conquer
taking place on Friday, April 8 at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor. The
co-main event, which will put a stamp on the live televised card on HDNet
Fights, pits Martin's power-punching against Lima's stylish jiu-jitsu.
Martin, though, has a unique twist to his game planning.

The Chicago native happens to be one of the most-educated fighters in all of
mixed martial arts, and fittingly, it is an impressive background in
psychology.

"I guess I'm really starting to use this big ol' head now," laughed Martin.
"I'm starting to put my knowledge to good use."

With a Bachelor's degree in science from Northern Illinois University
already in his back pocket, Martin went on to earn to a Master's degree and
is now pursuing his PHD in psychology at Concordia University in Oak Park,
Illinois. Yet for all his book smarts and being a likely victor in a battle
of wits with any opponent, it's a pure fighter's approach that Martin brings
to the ring.

"There's a whole lot of stuff I can take from school and use in a fight, and
it does help me at the start when it comes to putting everything together,
but I think like a fighter," explained Martin, whose most notable career
wins have come against Chael Sonnen, Jorge Rivera and Ivan Salaverry.

"It's hard to predict how things go in a fight. A lot of things can happen.
I've gone at it with a lot of top people and I just go in there and do what
I do."

While accustomed to researching information for term papers and presenting
his findings for a thesis, Martin hasn't done any homework when it comes to
what Lima will bring to their title fight. No late-night study sessions, no
cramming at the last minute. Just take the test - pass or fail.

"I don't want to seem cocky. I was told he's tough but I don't care to watch
anything about him," said the 30-year-old, who enters the showdown with Lima
riding a three-fight winning streak.

"My training stays the same - very few modifications. I have my 'Terry
Martin' style and I'll be ready. My coaches will have studied him, but I'm
not going to pay any attention to him at all."

What did catch Martin's attention, however, was a comment from Lima that the
reigning champ was eager to face a well-regarded striker for the opportunity
to showcase his own striking skills. Twelve of Martin's 21 career wins have
come by way of knockout, including his stoppage of Rivera in a bout that
lasted all of 14 seconds.

"Maybe he's just trying to build things up. Everyone can talk crazy till
they get cracked," Martin responded.

"He can talk all he wants . and then he's going to get cracked and all that
stuff he said becomes irrelevant."

MFC 29: Conquer
Friday, April 8
The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
Windsor, Ontario, Canada




MFC Welterweight Championship
Douglas Lima vs. Terry Martin

MFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Ryan Jimmo vs. Zak Cummings



Hermes Franca vs. Robert Washington
Pete Spratt vs. Demi Deeds
Marcus Davis vs. Curtis Demarce
Andreas Spang vs. Ali Mokdad
Dhiego Lima vs. Josh Taveirne
Pete Brown vs. Matthew Spisak
Brent Franczuz vs. Ben Jamieson
Chucky Mady vs. Bo Harris


*PDG is sponsoring Pete Spratt for his fight this Friday night!