Reigning Maximum Fighting Championship heavyweight title-holder Anthony “Freight Train” Hamilton will make the first title defense of his belt at MFC 39: No Remorse.
Hamilton (11-2) will defend his championship and look for a sixth straight victory when he takes on Darrill “The Boss” Schoonover (13-5) in the co-main event of the fight card set for Friday, January 17 live on AXS TV Fights from the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
Hamilton captured the crown at MFC 38 with a ferocious head-kick knockout of Smealinho Rama – a highlight-reel finish that came only 12 seconds into Round 2. Schoonover, a former reality show standout, reality agreed to a multi-fight deal in the MFC and rides a three-fight winning streak into his organizational debut.
The heavyweight title fight will top the card alongside the MFC lightweight title fight pitting Kurt “The Hurt” Southern against Tom “Da Tank” Gallicchio.
“Anthony Hamilton had unquestionably one of the knockouts of the year anywhere in world and proved he was the right man to take the title,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. “He has all the tools to be an absolutely dominant fighter, but he’s got to get though a very eager and dangerous Darrill Schoonover to do it.
“Darrill has improved his game plan over the past year and most importantly solidified his conditioning – all of which makes him a huge threat to Hamilton’s title.”
Schoonover, who fights out of El Paso, Texas, has a notable career victory over Paul Buentello, and boasts seven knockouts along with three submission on his resume. The 28-year-old began his career with an impressive 10-0 start.
Hamilton (Twitter: @A_Hamilton_MMA_), who now fights out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered the MFC in grand fashion with in colossal victory over Rama back in October. That win was Hamilton’s sixth via knockout and moved him to #47 in the world heavyweight rankings by Fight Matrix.com.
The Hamilton/Schoonoever matchup completes the main card lineup for MFC 39:
Anthony Hamilton (c) vs. Darrill Schoonover – MFC heavyweight title
Kurt Southern vs. Tom Gallicchio – MFC lightweight title
Sean O’Connell vs. Victor Valimaki – light-heavyweight
Gilbert Smith vs. Jason South – welterweight
Chase Degenhardt vs. Ryan Chiappe – middleweight
Aaron Gallant vs. Derek Boyle – lightweight
A full roster of preliminary fights which will air live on the MFC Facebook page will be announced shortly.
Tickets for MFC 39: No Remorse are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca as well as via the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.