Championship Tripleheader Set for MFC 40 on May 9
The Maximum Fighting Championship will see which of its champion kings will keep their crowns at MFC 40: Crowned Kings taking place on Friday, May 9 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and live on AXS TV Fights.
Three championship fights highlight the lineup for MFC 40 with two champs defending their crowns, and two more worthy combatants will vie for their own throne. And with three title fights scheduled, the MFC is excited to bring back the #PUNCHTHEVOTE campaign which will allow the fans to determine the final order (main event and two co-main events) for the night.
"The #PUNCHTHEVOTE idea at MFC 38 really ignited our fan base to tell us who they wanted to see in the main event," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "It was unique and historic and a huge success, and we definitely want our fans and fighters to be thoroughly engaged in the process.
"Anthony Birchak is truly the face of the MFC franchise from the fighters' perspective and he's got a shot at winning #PUNCHTHEVOTE twice, but Sam Alvey, who was runner-up last time, wants the spotlight on him. And the lightweights - a rematch for the title - they'll want it too. It's great competition in and out of the ring.
"Our fans deserve the best and we're solely focused on bringing them the best the Maximum Fighting Championship has to offer."
Birchak (11-1), the MFC's inaugural bantamweight champion, will put his title on the line for the first time at MFC 40, and the Tucson, Arizona, fighter has been on a tremendous roll since joining the Maximum Fighting Championship. He followed up his win over Ryan Benoit at MFC 37 by capturing the MFC's 135-pound division title with a second-round submission of Tito Jones at MFC 38.
A winner of five straight fights, Birchak won the MFC's Fight of the Year honor for his victory over Benoit and was handed the Submission of the Night in the victory over Jones. He then received even greater notoriety by being featured in Sports Illustrated's 2013 Photos of the Year as he stood on the ring ropes celebrating his title win. Birchak is currently ranked #55 in the world by Fight Matrix.
Just like Birchak, Alvey (21-5), who is also ranked #55 in the world by Fight Matrix, found championship glory at MFC 38 when he stopped Jason South with four seconds remaining in the fifth and final round of their middleweight title bout. The TKO win put the belt around Alvey's waist and the Temecula, California, product has earned victories in four of his last five fights.
Opponents for Birchak and Alvey will be announced shortly.
The third title fight slated for MFC 40 is the hotly anticipated rematch between Tom Gallicchio (18-8) and Kurt Southern (13-5) for the MFC lightweight championship.
Gallicchio defeated Southern at MFC 39 via second-round submission but was ruled ineligible for the belt after weighing over the 155-pound limit during the official weigh-in. Under MFC rules, Southern, who had no trouble making weight, receives an automatic title-fight rematch despite the loss.
Gallicchio, who trains alongside Alvey in Temecula, California, notched the 12th submission victory of his career in tapping out Southern with a rear-naked choke with 29 seconds remaining in Round 2.
Southern, who hails from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had earned two impressive wins prior to the setback against Gallicchio. At MFC 37, Southern submitted former title challenger Mukai Maromo in the first round, and then at MFC 38, Southern exacted revenge on Jonatas Novaes with a first-round TKO victory.
MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
Croom Signs with MFC, Challenges Birchak at MFC 40
One of the hottest fighters in the world today will get his shot at the Maximum Fighting Championship's bantamweight title at MFC 40: Crowned Kings.
"The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom (14-4) has signed a multi-fight deal with the MFC and will challenge reigning bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak (11-1) in a co-headliner of three title fights at MFC 40 on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
Croom (Twitter: @hhhillbillyKC) is on an outstanding tear of late, winning an astounding eight fights in 2013 highlighted by seven first-round finishes. Those efforts have vaulted the Columbia, Missouri, native to #37 in the Fight Matrix world rankings. Meanwhile, Birchak (Twitter: @abirchakMMA), who is ranked #55 in the world by Fight Matrix, will mark his first title defense riding a five-fight winning streak.
"I'm just a guy from a lower-middle class family from Missouri so being the MFC champion would mean the world to me. It would be the coolest thing to ever happen in my life," said Croom, who expressed no reservation about jumping into MFC fray to face the champ.
"I feel unbreakable. The biggest thing is I know is that I won't beat myself. At this level in this sport, everyone is a gifted athlete so it really becomes more of a mental game. Right now, I have my mental game plan at 100%."
Croom's run of success in 2013 included fights in Mexico and Kazakhstan, and will certainly go down as one of the most remarkable achievement in mixed martial arts history. The 26-year-old, who now fights out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, chalked up the incredible streak to finally establishing what works best for him.
"I've been fighting for seven years and it took me five and a half years to find the right formula. I've found the correct frequency to operate on," said Croom.
"I try not to focus on my opponent. I let my coaches worry about that. I just focus on myself. My coaches tell me how to train and what I have to do to beat an opponent and then that's what I go out and do."
Croom's title shot is subject to him having a successful outcome in a schedule bout outside the MFC on Feb. 28.
The Birchak-Croom bantamweight title fight joins two other MFC title bouts set for May 9. In a rematch for the MFC lightweight crown, Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio meets Kurt "The Hurt" Southern, and reigning MFC middleweight champion "Smilen" Sam Alvey will defend his belt with his opponent to be named soon.
One of the hottest fighters in the world today will get his shot at the Maximum Fighting Championship's bantamweight title at MFC 40: Crowned Kings.
"The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom (14-4) has signed a multi-fight deal with the MFC and will challenge reigning bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak (11-1) in a co-headliner of three title fights at MFC 40 on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
Croom (Twitter: @hhhillbillyKC) is on an outstanding tear of late, winning an astounding eight fights in 2013 highlighted by seven first-round finishes. Those efforts have vaulted the Columbia, Missouri, native to #37 in the Fight Matrix world rankings. Meanwhile, Birchak (Twitter: @abirchakMMA), who is ranked #55 in the world by Fight Matrix, will mark his first title defense riding a five-fight winning streak.
"I'm just a guy from a lower-middle class family from Missouri so being the MFC champion would mean the world to me. It would be the coolest thing to ever happen in my life," said Croom, who expressed no reservation about jumping into MFC fray to face the champ.
"I feel unbreakable. The biggest thing is I know is that I won't beat myself. At this level in this sport, everyone is a gifted athlete so it really becomes more of a mental game. Right now, I have my mental game plan at 100%."
Croom's run of success in 2013 included fights in Mexico and Kazakhstan, and will certainly go down as one of the most remarkable achievement in mixed martial arts history. The 26-year-old, who now fights out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, chalked up the incredible streak to finally establishing what works best for him.
"I've been fighting for seven years and it took me five and a half years to find the right formula. I've found the correct frequency to operate on," said Croom.
"I try not to focus on my opponent. I let my coaches worry about that. I just focus on myself. My coaches tell me how to train and what I have to do to beat an opponent and then that's what I go out and do."
Croom's title shot is subject to him having a successful outcome in a schedule bout outside the MFC on Feb. 28.
The Birchak-Croom bantamweight title fight joins two other MFC title bouts set for May 9. In a rematch for the MFC lightweight crown, Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio meets Kurt "The Hurt" Southern, and reigning MFC middleweight champion "Smilen" Sam Alvey will defend his belt with his opponent to be named soon.
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
Novaes versus McInnes Among Three MFC 40 Card Additions
The Maximum Fighting Championship has added three action-packed bouts to the lineup for MFC 40: Crowned Kings including a pair of pivotal matchups in the lightweight division.
With the MFC lightweight crown on the line in the rematch between Kurt Southern and Tom Gallicchio, these two top-contender bouts will go long way in determining the next challenger for the new champion. The lightweight championship encounter is one of three title fights slated for MFC 40 which takes place on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
In one of the lightweight tilts, world champion jiu-jitsu ace Jonatas "Peixe Frito" Novaes (11-5) aims to get back in the title picture against rising star and fellow jiu-jitsu practitioner Andrew "Andrewconda" McInnes (4-1). The other bout in the 155-pound division will see a pair of highly explosive strikers do battle as Marcus "Bad Intentions" Edwards (6-2) meets MFC record-holder Aaron "Gorilla" Gallant (6-5).
"These two fights are tremendous. All four of them have a burning desire to get a shot at the title and I expect them to leave it all on the line," said Mark Pavelich, the Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"There is no point to holding back anything when there's a title opportunity at stake. These fighters know that, and I sense they'll dig deep within themselves to find an extra gear. That can only mean great things for the fans in the seats and those watching live on AXS TV Fights."
Novaes vs. McInnes
Originally from Conceicao de Barra, Brazil, Novaes (Twitter: @jonatasnovaes) has an incredible resume in jiu-jitsu and has parlayed those submission skills into mixed martial arts with eight of his 11 wins coming via tapout. Novaes has won six of his last eight fights including the lone knockout win of his career coming against former MFC contender Drew Fickett. Under the Maximum Fighting Championship banner, Novaes, who now lives in Chicago, Illinois, scored a third-round submission win over Southern at MFC 36, but then suffered a first-round TKO against in the rematch against Southern at MFC 38.
With hometown crowd support fighting in Edmonton, McInnes (Twitter: @andrewconda) made his hotly anticipated organizational debut at MFC 39 and earned Submission of the Night honors with a standing rear-naked choke finish in the second round against Dan Ring. All four of McInnes's wins have come via submission and three of those have ended inside the opening round.
Edwards vs. Gallant
Edwards (Twitter: @BadIntentions91) also made his organizational debut at MFC 39 and dominated Sean Powers with striking and ground-and-pound en route to a rear-naked choke submission at 4:50 of the first round. The Littleton, Colorado, product has won six of his last seven with five finishes coming inside the first round.
Gallant's foray into MFC 40 (Twitter: @gallantgorilla) marks the return of the MFC record-holder for fastest knockout - an accomplishment the Calgary, Alberta, product set at MFC 38. Gallant executed a devastating three-punch combination that floored Matt Jelly a mere seven seconds into their bout back in October. The electrifying finish earned Gallant his fourth straight win.
O'Connell vs. Valimaki back on schedule
The other bout announced for MFC 40 is the previously scheduled matchup pitting Sean "The Real OC" O'Connell (15-4) against Victor "The Matrix" Valimaki (17-8). The light-heavyweight contest was pulled from MFC 39 when Valimaki came up ill, though O'Connell stayed on the card and earned a quick submission victory over late replacement Markhaile Wedderburn.
Valimaki, who will have the home-town advantage of fighting in Edmonton, became one of the original MFC stars when he upset legendary veteran Dan "The Beast" Severn at MFC 8 in September 2005. After claiming the MFC title with a win over Jason Day one year later, Valimaki (Twitter: @V2MMA) defended the belt in February 2007 with a startling, come-from-behind knockout win over Jared Kilkenny at MFC 11. But in August 2007 at MFC 13, Valimaki had the title snatched away from him in a TKO loss to Roger Hollett.
Fighting out of Walnut Creek, California, O'Connell (Twitter: @realOCsports) has won eight of his last nine bouts and notched seven victories via knockout.
A final main-card matchup along with a roster of preliminary fights will be announced shortly.
The Maximum Fighting Championship has added three action-packed bouts to the lineup for MFC 40: Crowned Kings including a pair of pivotal matchups in the lightweight division.
With the MFC lightweight crown on the line in the rematch between Kurt Southern and Tom Gallicchio, these two top-contender bouts will go long way in determining the next challenger for the new champion. The lightweight championship encounter is one of three title fights slated for MFC 40 which takes place on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
In one of the lightweight tilts, world champion jiu-jitsu ace Jonatas "Peixe Frito" Novaes (11-5) aims to get back in the title picture against rising star and fellow jiu-jitsu practitioner Andrew "Andrewconda" McInnes (4-1). The other bout in the 155-pound division will see a pair of highly explosive strikers do battle as Marcus "Bad Intentions" Edwards (6-2) meets MFC record-holder Aaron "Gorilla" Gallant (6-5).
"These two fights are tremendous. All four of them have a burning desire to get a shot at the title and I expect them to leave it all on the line," said Mark Pavelich, the Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"There is no point to holding back anything when there's a title opportunity at stake. These fighters know that, and I sense they'll dig deep within themselves to find an extra gear. That can only mean great things for the fans in the seats and those watching live on AXS TV Fights."
Novaes vs. McInnes
Originally from Conceicao de Barra, Brazil, Novaes (Twitter: @jonatasnovaes) has an incredible resume in jiu-jitsu and has parlayed those submission skills into mixed martial arts with eight of his 11 wins coming via tapout. Novaes has won six of his last eight fights including the lone knockout win of his career coming against former MFC contender Drew Fickett. Under the Maximum Fighting Championship banner, Novaes, who now lives in Chicago, Illinois, scored a third-round submission win over Southern at MFC 36, but then suffered a first-round TKO against in the rematch against Southern at MFC 38.
With hometown crowd support fighting in Edmonton, McInnes (Twitter: @andrewconda) made his hotly anticipated organizational debut at MFC 39 and earned Submission of the Night honors with a standing rear-naked choke finish in the second round against Dan Ring. All four of McInnes's wins have come via submission and three of those have ended inside the opening round.
Edwards vs. Gallant
Edwards (Twitter: @BadIntentions91) also made his organizational debut at MFC 39 and dominated Sean Powers with striking and ground-and-pound en route to a rear-naked choke submission at 4:50 of the first round. The Littleton, Colorado, product has won six of his last seven with five finishes coming inside the first round.
Gallant's foray into MFC 40 (Twitter: @gallantgorilla) marks the return of the MFC record-holder for fastest knockout - an accomplishment the Calgary, Alberta, product set at MFC 38. Gallant executed a devastating three-punch combination that floored Matt Jelly a mere seven seconds into their bout back in October. The electrifying finish earned Gallant his fourth straight win.
O'Connell vs. Valimaki back on schedule
The other bout announced for MFC 40 is the previously scheduled matchup pitting Sean "The Real OC" O'Connell (15-4) against Victor "The Matrix" Valimaki (17-8). The light-heavyweight contest was pulled from MFC 39 when Valimaki came up ill, though O'Connell stayed on the card and earned a quick submission victory over late replacement Markhaile Wedderburn.
Valimaki, who will have the home-town advantage of fighting in Edmonton, became one of the original MFC stars when he upset legendary veteran Dan "The Beast" Severn at MFC 8 in September 2005. After claiming the MFC title with a win over Jason Day one year later, Valimaki (Twitter: @V2MMA) defended the belt in February 2007 with a startling, come-from-behind knockout win over Jared Kilkenny at MFC 11. But in August 2007 at MFC 13, Valimaki had the title snatched away from him in a TKO loss to Roger Hollett.
Fighting out of Walnut Creek, California, O'Connell (Twitter: @realOCsports) has won eight of his last nine bouts and notched seven victories via knockout.
A final main-card matchup along with a roster of preliminary fights will be announced shortly.
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
Alvey to Defend Title Against Swofford at MFC 40 on May 9
The third title fight for the Maximum Fighting Championship's MFC 40: Crowned Kings card has been set with two potent strikers ready to square-off.
"Smilen" Sam Alvey (21-5) will defend his MFC middleweight title against Wes "Nile" Swofford (9-4) at MFC 40 taking place on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The Alvey-Swofford matchup is packaged alongside two other title fights on the night as Anthony Birchak defends his bantamweight crown against "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom, and Kurt "The Hurt" Southern and Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio go head-to-head in their rematch for the lightweight belt.
"Alvey and Swofford match up so well stylistically that they're going to create an incredible fight. It has all the makings of being the wildest, craziest title fight in MFC history," said Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
"Sam has shown great resiliency and the ability to battle through a war. Wes is a very serious threat to Sam's title and he is ready to put everything he's got on the line to take his belt away. When both guys have knockout power and the desire to finish a fight, it can only mean great things for the fans in the seats at the Shaw Conference Centre and those watching live on AXS TV Fights."
Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) captured the MFC middleweight title at MFC 38 with a dramatic fifth-round knockout over Jason South. The Temecula, California-based fighter is now ranked 53rd in the world by Fight Matrix having won four of his last five fights including a third-round TKO of Jay Silva at MFC 37.
Alvey, who is married to America's Next Top Model cycle 11 winner McKey Sullivan, has earned 13 knockout victories and has been stopped only once during his six-year career.
Swofford (Twitter: @WesSwofford) has jumped to #92 in the Fight Matrix rankings as he has won six of his last eight fights highlighted by a 41-second destruction of Jay Silva at MFC 36. That victory was one of five that Swofford, who fights out of Redding, California, has managed inside the first round.
MFC 40: Crowned Kings Main Card:
Wes Swofford vs. Sam Alvey (c) - MFC middleweight title
Kevin Croom vs. Anthony Birchak (c) - MFC bantamweight title
Kurt Southern vs. Tom Gallicchio - MFC lightweight title
Sean O'Connell vs. Victor Valimaki - light-heavyweight
Jonatas Novaes vs. Andrew McInnes - lightweight
Aaron Gallant vs. Marcus Edwards - lightweight
A full lineup of preliminary matchups which will air live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page will be unveiled shortly.
The third title fight for the Maximum Fighting Championship's MFC 40: Crowned Kings card has been set with two potent strikers ready to square-off.
"Smilen" Sam Alvey (21-5) will defend his MFC middleweight title against Wes "Nile" Swofford (9-4) at MFC 40 taking place on Friday, May 9 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The Alvey-Swofford matchup is packaged alongside two other title fights on the night as Anthony Birchak defends his bantamweight crown against "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom, and Kurt "The Hurt" Southern and Tom "Da Tank" Gallicchio go head-to-head in their rematch for the lightweight belt.
"Alvey and Swofford match up so well stylistically that they're going to create an incredible fight. It has all the makings of being the wildest, craziest title fight in MFC history," said Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
"Sam has shown great resiliency and the ability to battle through a war. Wes is a very serious threat to Sam's title and he is ready to put everything he's got on the line to take his belt away. When both guys have knockout power and the desire to finish a fight, it can only mean great things for the fans in the seats at the Shaw Conference Centre and those watching live on AXS TV Fights."
Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) captured the MFC middleweight title at MFC 38 with a dramatic fifth-round knockout over Jason South. The Temecula, California-based fighter is now ranked 53rd in the world by Fight Matrix having won four of his last five fights including a third-round TKO of Jay Silva at MFC 37.
Alvey, who is married to America's Next Top Model cycle 11 winner McKey Sullivan, has earned 13 knockout victories and has been stopped only once during his six-year career.
Swofford (Twitter: @WesSwofford) has jumped to #92 in the Fight Matrix rankings as he has won six of his last eight fights highlighted by a 41-second destruction of Jay Silva at MFC 36. That victory was one of five that Swofford, who fights out of Redding, California, has managed inside the first round.
MFC 40: Crowned Kings Main Card:
Wes Swofford vs. Sam Alvey (c) - MFC middleweight title
Kevin Croom vs. Anthony Birchak (c) - MFC bantamweight title
Kurt Southern vs. Tom Gallicchio - MFC lightweight title
Sean O'Connell vs. Victor Valimaki - light-heavyweight
Jonatas Novaes vs. Andrew McInnes - lightweight
Aaron Gallant vs. Marcus Edwards - lightweight
A full lineup of preliminary matchups which will air live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page will be unveiled shortly.
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
MFC Announces #PunchTheVote for MFC 40: Crowned Kings
For the second time in the history of the Maximum Fighting Championship, fans will get to pick the true main event of fight card featuring three title bouts.
The MFC's #PunchTheVote campaign launches on Tuesday, March 4 and will run till 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 2, allowing fans to register their pick between three title fights with the top vote-getter receiving main-event billing at MFC 40: Crowned Kings on Friday, May 9.
Airing live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, MFC 40 boasts a trio of main-event worthy bouts, all with MFC championship belts on the line including the first defense by bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak, who won the inaugural #PunchTheVote campaign at MFC 38.
"The MFC continues to be a front-runner when it comes to creativity, and #PunchTheVote was such a huge success that we had to bring it back," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"We love getting the fans involved because we are one of the only organizations in any sport that truly values the opinions of its fans. The fans have been incredibly loyal to the MFC and this is one way we can pay them back. It is our responsibility to bring the fans great fights and we want the fans' perspective on who deserves to be the main event."
The three fights MFC fans will get to vote for are:
MFC bantamweight title - Anthony Birchak (11-1) vs. Kevin Croom (14-4)
*Birchak won the title at MFC 38 and was part of Sports Illustrated 2013 Photos of the Year. Croom enters the MFC on a nine-fight winning streak including seven first-round finishes.
MFC lightweight title - Kurt Southern (13-5) vs. Tom Gallicchio (18-8)
*This is a much-anticipated rematch following their fight at MFC 39 that Gallicchio won via second-round submission. The two have combined for 19 submission victories.
MFC middleweight title - Sam Alvey (21-5) vs. Wes Swofford (9-4)
*Alvey, who has won four of his last five fights, makes the first title defense of his title he won at MFC 38 with a fifth-round TKO. Swofford boasts seven first-round wins - six of those coming by knockout.
Fan voting via Twitter
MFC's Twitter page (@maximumfighting) - vote must contain all three hashtags to qualify including the championship fight you want to see as the main event.
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Bantamweight
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Lightweight
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Middleweight
Fan voting via Facebook
MFC's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/MaximumFighting/)
Click 'LIKE' on the graphic for your favored fight
The fight with the most votes (Twitter and Facebook combined) will be the final fight - the true main event - for MFC 40. The fight with the second-most votes will be the second-last fight, and the third-place fight will kick off the three straight title fights.
For the second time in the history of the Maximum Fighting Championship, fans will get to pick the true main event of fight card featuring three title bouts.
The MFC's #PunchTheVote campaign launches on Tuesday, March 4 and will run till 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 2, allowing fans to register their pick between three title fights with the top vote-getter receiving main-event billing at MFC 40: Crowned Kings on Friday, May 9.
Airing live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, MFC 40 boasts a trio of main-event worthy bouts, all with MFC championship belts on the line including the first defense by bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak, who won the inaugural #PunchTheVote campaign at MFC 38.
"The MFC continues to be a front-runner when it comes to creativity, and #PunchTheVote was such a huge success that we had to bring it back," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"We love getting the fans involved because we are one of the only organizations in any sport that truly values the opinions of its fans. The fans have been incredibly loyal to the MFC and this is one way we can pay them back. It is our responsibility to bring the fans great fights and we want the fans' perspective on who deserves to be the main event."
The three fights MFC fans will get to vote for are:
MFC bantamweight title - Anthony Birchak (11-1) vs. Kevin Croom (14-4)
*Birchak won the title at MFC 38 and was part of Sports Illustrated 2013 Photos of the Year. Croom enters the MFC on a nine-fight winning streak including seven first-round finishes.
MFC lightweight title - Kurt Southern (13-5) vs. Tom Gallicchio (18-8)
*This is a much-anticipated rematch following their fight at MFC 39 that Gallicchio won via second-round submission. The two have combined for 19 submission victories.
MFC middleweight title - Sam Alvey (21-5) vs. Wes Swofford (9-4)
*Alvey, who has won four of his last five fights, makes the first title defense of his title he won at MFC 38 with a fifth-round TKO. Swofford boasts seven first-round wins - six of those coming by knockout.
Fan voting via Twitter
MFC's Twitter page (@maximumfighting) - vote must contain all three hashtags to qualify including the championship fight you want to see as the main event.
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Bantamweight
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Lightweight
#THEMFC #MFC40 #Middleweight
Fan voting via Facebook
MFC's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/MaximumFighting/)
Click 'LIKE' on the graphic for your favored fight
The fight with the most votes (Twitter and Facebook combined) will be the final fight - the true main event - for MFC 40. The fight with the second-most votes will be the second-last fight, and the third-place fight will kick off the three straight title fights.
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
Shane Campbell Set for MFC Debut at MFC 40 on May 9
The Maximum Fighting Championship's newest addition promises to put on a show every time he leaps the top rope into the MFC ring. And he doesn't want to wait for the first opportunity to prove himself so he's jumping into action right away with a spot on the MFC 40: Crowned Kings stacked lineup.
Shane "Shaolin" Campbell has signed a multi-fight agreement with the MFC and will debut in the organization live on AXS TV Fights on Friday, May 9 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. His opponent for the featured lightweight battle will be announced shortly.
"I want to get in there and bang it out. When I start KOing people, my title shot will come," said Campbell (8-2), who has won four of his last five outings.
"People love coming to see me fight because I'm so dynamic. I'm not afraid to do things like wild strikes but I also put my technique together. I can do things that most people can't. Fans expect to see a KO when I fight and that's 90% of the fans want to see. They want a huge KO and they're excited about seeing it happen.
"Every time I fight my fanbase grows all over the world."
Campbell joins a talent-rich MFC lightweight division. Along with Campbell, four of the top stars will be in action at MFC 40 as Tom Gallicchio faces Kurt Southern in a rematch for the title, and Marcus Edwards tangles with Aaron Gallant.
"Shane Campbell is the kind of fighter I love and the MFC fans love so it was perfect that unite," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"I want fighters who have a certain swagger and style, and I want guys who want finish their opponent and make an impressive statement. Shane is all of that and he is going to be a real threat in the MFC lightweight division."
Campbell is no stranger to fight fans in his adopted home town of Edmonton, but as a veteran of the K-1 scene, he has developed a following everywhere he's been. Under various kickboxing banners, Campbell, who is originally from Hamilton, Ontario, has fought in the United States, Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, and Belarus, and his 62-9 record is highlighted by a key win over notable Canadian fighter Trevor Smandich.
The 27-year-old (Twitter: @shaolinstylemma) feels this is the perfect time and situation under the MFC flag to raise his credentials and start his legacy in mixed martial arts.
"This is a beautiful time and opportunity to be a pioneer," said Campbell. "I've got this opportunity to do things people have never seen before. Something like the Teep kick to the face. I and lots of other people did that long before Anderson Silva did it but no one of his stature had ever done it.
"There are dozens of big things that I want to do. I want to be a trendsetter and this my time and the stage to do it."
The Maximum Fighting Championship's newest addition promises to put on a show every time he leaps the top rope into the MFC ring. And he doesn't want to wait for the first opportunity to prove himself so he's jumping into action right away with a spot on the MFC 40: Crowned Kings stacked lineup.
Shane "Shaolin" Campbell has signed a multi-fight agreement with the MFC and will debut in the organization live on AXS TV Fights on Friday, May 9 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. His opponent for the featured lightweight battle will be announced shortly.
"I want to get in there and bang it out. When I start KOing people, my title shot will come," said Campbell (8-2), who has won four of his last five outings.
"People love coming to see me fight because I'm so dynamic. I'm not afraid to do things like wild strikes but I also put my technique together. I can do things that most people can't. Fans expect to see a KO when I fight and that's 90% of the fans want to see. They want a huge KO and they're excited about seeing it happen.
"Every time I fight my fanbase grows all over the world."
Campbell joins a talent-rich MFC lightweight division. Along with Campbell, four of the top stars will be in action at MFC 40 as Tom Gallicchio faces Kurt Southern in a rematch for the title, and Marcus Edwards tangles with Aaron Gallant.
"Shane Campbell is the kind of fighter I love and the MFC fans love so it was perfect that unite," said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.
"I want fighters who have a certain swagger and style, and I want guys who want finish their opponent and make an impressive statement. Shane is all of that and he is going to be a real threat in the MFC lightweight division."
Campbell is no stranger to fight fans in his adopted home town of Edmonton, but as a veteran of the K-1 scene, he has developed a following everywhere he's been. Under various kickboxing banners, Campbell, who is originally from Hamilton, Ontario, has fought in the United States, Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, and Belarus, and his 62-9 record is highlighted by a key win over notable Canadian fighter Trevor Smandich.
The 27-year-old (Twitter: @shaolinstylemma) feels this is the perfect time and situation under the MFC flag to raise his credentials and start his legacy in mixed martial arts.
"This is a beautiful time and opportunity to be a pioneer," said Campbell. "I've got this opportunity to do things people have never seen before. Something like the Teep kick to the face. I and lots of other people did that long before Anderson Silva did it but no one of his stature had ever done it.
"There are dozens of big things that I want to do. I want to be a trendsetter and this my time and the stage to do it."
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Re: MFC 40: Crowned Kings - Fight Card Updates
Birchak Injury Puts Croom vs Brock as MFC 40 Title Eliminator
The Maximum Fighting Championship has sourced out a strong replacement to fill an injury void that has caused a change to the MFC 40: Crowned Kings lineup. Due to a significant lower-body injury suffered in training, reigning MFC bantamweight champ Anthony Birchak is unable to fight on Friday, May 9 on the AXS TV Fights card emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. With Birchak out, "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom (14-4) will now battle Jesse Brock (16-8) in a three-round title eliminator. Brock has been signed to a multi-fight contract.
"While other organizations would panic, canceling fights or moving their show date completely, the Maximum Fighting Championship staff just works hard like always and fixes things in the best way possible," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
"In a strange turn of events, it was Jesse Brock who'd been calling out Anthony Birchak for quite some time. Now Brock will get a chance to be the next in line to challenge for Birchak's belt."
Brock, who fights out of Boise, Idaho, has finished 10 of his opponents with three knockouts and seven submissions, and he has squared off against a handful of notable opponents including Tyson Nam, Caol Uno, Demetrius Johnson, and Donald Cerrone.
Valimaki to face Widler
Former MFC light-heavyweight champion Victor "The Matrix" Valimaki returns to the organization at MFC 40 and now has new opponent in hard-hitting foe Bill Widler, who is a training partner of reigning MFC middleweight champ Sam Alvey.
Widler (8-5) boasts six knockouts on his career resume and has earned wins in three of his last four outings. The Temecula, California, product most notably faced MFC heavyweight champion Anthony Hamilton back in December 2012.
Valimaki (17-8) has mustered seven- and five-fight winning streaks during his career, and touts six wins by both knockout and submission.
Facebook prelims set for MFC 40
The preliminary bouts for MFC 40: Crowned Kings has been with the three-fight lineup airing live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page.
Topping the undercard is a matchup in the bantamweight ranks as fan favorite Corey "The Hatchet" Gower meets Jon "Untameable" Barnard. In his organizational debut, Gower came out on top of a decision verdict against Daniel Mark at MFC 38. Barnard invades Gower's hometown as he makes the journey in from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Also on the prelim roster, Cody Moorman meets Levon Kinley in a lightweight tilt, and in a bantamweight bout, Justin Lavertu takes on Mike Hay.
The Maximum Fighting Championship has sourced out a strong replacement to fill an injury void that has caused a change to the MFC 40: Crowned Kings lineup. Due to a significant lower-body injury suffered in training, reigning MFC bantamweight champ Anthony Birchak is unable to fight on Friday, May 9 on the AXS TV Fights card emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. With Birchak out, "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom (14-4) will now battle Jesse Brock (16-8) in a three-round title eliminator. Brock has been signed to a multi-fight contract.
"While other organizations would panic, canceling fights or moving their show date completely, the Maximum Fighting Championship staff just works hard like always and fixes things in the best way possible," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
"In a strange turn of events, it was Jesse Brock who'd been calling out Anthony Birchak for quite some time. Now Brock will get a chance to be the next in line to challenge for Birchak's belt."
Brock, who fights out of Boise, Idaho, has finished 10 of his opponents with three knockouts and seven submissions, and he has squared off against a handful of notable opponents including Tyson Nam, Caol Uno, Demetrius Johnson, and Donald Cerrone.
Valimaki to face Widler
Former MFC light-heavyweight champion Victor "The Matrix" Valimaki returns to the organization at MFC 40 and now has new opponent in hard-hitting foe Bill Widler, who is a training partner of reigning MFC middleweight champ Sam Alvey.
Widler (8-5) boasts six knockouts on his career resume and has earned wins in three of his last four outings. The Temecula, California, product most notably faced MFC heavyweight champion Anthony Hamilton back in December 2012.
Valimaki (17-8) has mustered seven- and five-fight winning streaks during his career, and touts six wins by both knockout and submission.
Facebook prelims set for MFC 40
The preliminary bouts for MFC 40: Crowned Kings has been with the three-fight lineup airing live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page.
Topping the undercard is a matchup in the bantamweight ranks as fan favorite Corey "The Hatchet" Gower meets Jon "Untameable" Barnard. In his organizational debut, Gower came out on top of a decision verdict against Daniel Mark at MFC 38. Barnard invades Gower's hometown as he makes the journey in from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Also on the prelim roster, Cody Moorman meets Levon Kinley in a lightweight tilt, and in a bantamweight bout, Justin Lavertu takes on Mike Hay.
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