10 Questions With Mark Pavelich (10/21/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Mark Pavelich (by Darrick Patrick)

Mark Pavelich is the owner and president of the Maximum Fighting Championship. The MFC is a Canadian-based mixed martial arts organization which was founded in 2001 and is the number one MMA promotion within Canada. MFC events are currently broadcast on the HDNet television station in North America. At the time of this interview, the next scheduled Maximum Fighting Championship event is MFC 27: Breaking Point on November 12th, 2010.

Darrick: For those who want to know more about or may not yet be familiar with the Maximum Fighting Championship, what are the details with your organization?

Mark: The MFC is number one in Canada in all categories and is in the top four MMA organizations in North America. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid, these other shows like Shark Fights, Bellator Fighting Championships, Shine Fights, etc. don’t make a dime. We are the longest running organization next to the UFC and the only show live on TV in Canada on Mark Cuban's HDNet throughout North America and Mexico.

Darrick: What was the path that led you to a career within the world of mixed martial arts?

Mark: I have been in the entertainment business since I was a kid and have always loved martial arts. I started with boxing and Jeet Kune Do, then just gravitated towards the other disciplines like Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing, and so forth. I combined my experience within the entertainment industry and my love for martial arts, thus creating the Maximum Fighting Championship.

Darrick: You have a big show coming up on November 12th with MFC 27: Breaking Point. Can you tell us about the fight card that is lined up for this event?

Mark: The live television card consists of Douglas Lima (16-4) versus Jesse Juarez (15-5) in a five-round fight for the 170-pound MFC world title. Ryan Ford (12-3) will be having a rematch with Pete Spratt (21-18) at 170 pounds. Dwayne Lewis (11-5) is scheduled to meet Razak Al-Hassan (11-2) in a 205-pound bout. Glover Teixeira (10-2) will be facing David Heath (16-6) at 205 pounds. Ryan Fortin (4-3) is matched against Ron Sparks (6-0) in a 265-pound fight. Orestes Betran (13-4) is slated to battle Kajan Johnson (17-11-1) at 155 pounds.

Darrick: It has been stated that you can be perceived as a bit of a controversial figure within MMA. Why do you think this is and do you agree with this analysis at all?

Mark: I never try to be. In my personal life I’m very quiet, but in the MMA world there are so many things that absolutely disgust me. I won’t be pushed aside and I won’t let others try to sell the masses that there is only one brand of MMA out there. I do believe between that and sleep deprivation, that is probably is a real good reason why people might perceive me as controversial.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of the sport ten years from now and the MFC's place within that landscape?

Mark: The progression of the sport will level off. As you have seen over the last two to three years a lot of people with a lot of money have gone out of business in the MMA world. It's funny how I hear every day that it is the fastest growing sport and the usual bullshit propaganda, but why are so many shows going out of business? The reason is simple. On the surface, it’s a real sexy sport. People really have no clue though on how to sell it to sponsors and networks in the grand scheme of things. There are only a handful of people in the whole sport that can actually sell it.

You could put me in a room with the owners of who you think would be the top ten organizations in the world and the majority of people in that room would be listening when my mouth opens. I love MMA with all of my heart but at the same time the business of it is a wicked beast at times. If you can’t roll with the hits, you will get crushed like EliteXC, Affliction, IFL, TKO, and many others. You have to crawl, you have to walk slow, then light jog, quick jog, run, sprint, and then have the full-out fire burning behind you. I’m at a light jog right now and I will be there for about another two years. I will let you know when I get to a quick jog.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Mark: My wife Manon Pavelich because when my back was against the wall she put it in my head that I can’t be stopped. I have a lot of respect for Mark Cuban for giving me a shot. Also, DW (Dana White) because he made it happen when the pressure was on him. He turned it all around.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Mark: I love hanging out with my wife, dining, attending really good concerts, going to see great movies, playing Texas Hold'em poker, and boxing with the right people.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Mark: The earliest memory that I have is of being poor and struggling.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Mark: I'm fearful...and I have no clue what I'm fearful of.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Mark: As a leader, a great father, a husband, and ultimately fearless.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Mark Pavelich in the following places:

Official Maximum Fighting Championship Website:

http://www.maximumfighting.com

Official Mark Pavelich Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Pavelich/100000830845643

Official Mark Pavelich Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/maximumfighting

Official Maximum Fighting Championship Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2306579062

Official Maximum Fighting Championship Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/maximumfightingtv