Just like he said he was going to do, Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President Mark Pavelich has officially fired his promotion’s former lightweight champion Antonio McKee (27-4-2).
Despite an impressive unanimous decision victory over Brian Cobb (19-7) at “MFC 32: Bitter Rivals” Friday night, McKee came into the bout a whopping seven pounds over weight. He was immediately stripped of his title, and although allowed to compete, was told it would be his final bout with the promotion.
Pavelich kept his word.
The MFC owner explained his reasoning:
“I was thoroughly disgusted by the lack of professionalism that Antonio McKee showed towards the belt he was scheduled to defend as well as the Maximum Fighting Championship as a organization. It was unacceptable behavior for a champion to demonstrate. On top of that, Antonio never really apologized for missing weight that badly. That was the end of things for him with the MFC. That’s why he was stripped of his belt immediately and told that he would never fight in the MFC again. I hope it’s a message to all the other fighters in the MFC.”
For a promotion’s champion, who is competing in the main event, to not make weight is bad enough. But when his challenger also fails to make weight, that makes the promotion look extra bad.
Although Cobb was only one-half pound over the 155 pound limit, failing to make weight for a title fight is just not something Pavelich considers acceptable behavior for a professional fighter in his organization and thus he was released.
Pavelich explained:
“It’s disappointing to have to release Brian as he is a tremendous character person. Everyone in the MFC has a great deal of respect and admiration for Brian, but unfortunately he admitted to making an error in preparing for the weigh-in and was over the limit. For a title fight that is a big mistake.”
In addition to McKee and Cobb, Calgary’s James Haddad (4-2), who lost a majority decision to Dan Ring (5-0-1) on the undercard, was also released from his contract after weighing in two pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit.
MFC fighters take notice. Mr. Pavelich is not playing around and obviously wants to send a message. If you fight for the MFC, not making weight is not an option.
I think he will do good but most likely win by decisions and then get hated on he does have really good wrestling,