The Maximum Fighting Championship promotion has announced that they will be implementing three new procedures. These procedures will pertain to title fight matchups and weigh-in’s. A title fight will no longer  immediately become a non-title fight if a fighter does not make weight.

Title Fight with a reigning/defending champion

If the champion fails to make weight:

  • The champion vacates the title immediately.Fight remains a five-round contest. If the vacated champion wins the fight, MFC holds the option to automatically consider him the No. 1 contender for the next title fight in that weight class. MFC also holds option to make an immediate rematch.
  •  The champion vacates the title immediately. Fight remains a five-round contest. If the challenger wins the fight, the challenger becomes the MFC champion. Maximum Fighting Championship holds an option to make an immediate rematch.

If the challenger fails to make weight:

  • The champion automatically retains the belt. A non-title fight takes place and MFC solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. If the challenger wins the bout, the MFC holds an option to make a future rematch.

If both fighters fail to make weight:

  • The champion vacates the title immediately. Non-title fight takes place and the MFC solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. MFC holds the option to consider the winner as the No. 1 contender for the next title fight in that weight class. MFC also holds an option to make future rematch.

Title Fight with a vacant championship

If one fighter fails to make weight:

  • Fight remains a five-round contest. If the fighter who made weight wins bout, he becomes the MFC champion of that weight class. If the fighter who failed to make weight wins the bout, that fighter doesn’t claim the title, and the MFC holds the option to make him the No. 1 contender and/or to make an immediate rematch.

If both fighters fail to make weight:

  • A non-title bout takes place and MFC solely determines if the bout is a three- or five-round fight. MFC has the option to make a future rematch.

Fighter safety is paramount when dealing with weight cutting issues. These changes will also allow for more title fights to stay on course. MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich spoke on the issue:

“Obviously this has been a situation that has come up a handful of times, namely when Mukai Maromo fought Adam Lynn at MFC 34. This new criteria is a way for the fighter who made weight to continue in his quest for the title belt and not be punished for doing everything he was supposed to. It’s important to our organization, our fighters, and our fans that title fights happen with as much excitement as possible, and I hope this endeavor goes a long way as a fail-safe.”

Another new procedure, although not yet finalized, has to do with the weigh-in itself:

Weigh-In Policy

  • Currently at the official weigh-in, the policy dictated is a “one-shot deal” whereas the fighter steps on the scale, and the weight at that time is considered his official weight.
  • MFC is lobbying the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission to impose a new directive that will allow a fighter to have no more than two hours to make weight again. This means a fighter weighing in at 12 p.m. could weigh in no later than 2 p.m. for the second attempt to make weight. The “second attempt” weigh-in will be held under the supervision of the ECSC, the MFC, and both fighters’ representatives.
  • Fighters are currently fined 20% of their purse if they miss weight. If the fighter fails to make the contracted weight at the “second attempt” weigh-in, the fighter will be fined an additional 10% for a total of 30%. That 30% sum of money goes to the opponent who made weight.
  • If both fighters do not make the contracted weight at the initial official weigh-in, the MFC solely retains the discretion to automatically set the fight at a catchweight. If this happens neither fighter is fined nor will weigh-in for a second time. MFC may set a “second attempt” weigh-in and a target weight to be reached if it deems one or both of the fighters to be substantially over the contracted weight. If a “second attempt” weigh-in is conducted and one fighter fails to make weight or a targeted weight, that fighter will be fined 20% of his purse with the money going to his opponent. If both fighters fail on their “second attempt” then both fighters will be fined 20% of their respective purses and the fight will be set at a catchweight. Any money from fines received in this scenario will be donated to the MFC’s charity of choice (currently Branch Out Foundation).

The final new procedure will be formally introduced by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission at MFC 35:

Drug Testing Policy

  • MFC and the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission will be working in conjunction on random drug testing beginning at MFC 35 on Friday, Oct. 26. The Commission will select up to six fighters from each card and those fighters must provide a urine sample in the locker room after their bout. The MFC and fighters’ representatives will be notified of those results. A bout will be turned to a “no contest” if the winning fighter tests positive for anything illegal. The Commission, not the Maximum Fighting Championship, is responsible for determining any suspension and/or fine.

Leave a Reply