Press Release:
EDMONTON, AB – The Maximum Fighting Championship’s final show of 2008 is aptly named.
MFC 19: Long Time Coming is just that.
For the first time in the organization’s illustrious history, there will be two title fights on the same card as both the light heavyweight and welterweight championship belts will be on the line Friday, December 5 at The Venue at River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta. The show will be broadcast live on HDNet Fights throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Making a long-awaited first defence of his MFC light heavyweight title is champion Roger “The Hulk” Hollett (8-1) who will face No. 1 contender Emanuel “The Hardcore Kid” Newton (10-3).
In the co-main event Pat “Bam Bam” Healy (23-14) will defend his welterweight title in a much-anticipated rematch against Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford (7-1).
Hollett was sidelined for nearly a year due to a knee injury shortly after winning the title but he is back in perfect condition and the devastating striker is eager to defend the belt he won from Victor Valimaki at MFC Lucky 13 on August 24, 2007. The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native crushed Valimaki and captured the title by submission via strikes just 2:06 into the first round.
Meanwhile, Newton, who hails from Norwalk, California, burst onto the MFC scene at MFC 18: Famous when he punished David Heath and ultimately secured the victory by submission via rear-naked choke at 4:42 of Round 2.
“This is going to be a very exciting and very interesting matchup,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
“There are a lot of people who think Newton is going to win and take Hollett’s title especially after the way Newton dismantled Heath. Emanuel is a definite threat. But you can’t discount what Hollett can do. He is so incredibly dangerous – just ask Valimaki and the other victims who have been devastated by him.”
In the other title fight at MFC 19, Healy will square-off against Ford in a rematch of their title fight from MFC 17: Hostile Takeover back on July 25, 2008. Healy, who resides in Portland, Oregon, needed all of his veteran presence to hold off Ford in the opening two rounds and then despite being badly battered and bruised, Healy was able to secure an armbar at 3:00 of Round 3 to lock up the win and the title.
Ford wants revenge in the worst way – calling the title “my belt” – and he will get that opportunity in front of his home-town supporters. But Healy isn’t about to let his reign come to a quick end.
“I guarantee that this rematch will be every bit as good as the original showdown between these two fighters,” added Pavelich.
“Healy is an honorable warrior and he will be ready to defend the title with everything he’s got. If Ford wants it, he’ll have to take it from the champ. The fight is such a great contrast in styles with the savvy Healy and his slick submissions against the aggressive Ford with all his power and speed.”
Three prelims set:
The entire lineup for MFC 19: Long Time Coming will be completed shortly. In the meantime, three undercard/preliminary bouts have been officially confirmed.
In a rematch of heavy hitters, “The Poster Boy” Aron Lofton (4-1) will go head to head against Jason “The Show” Kuchera (3-2). The two light heavyweights fought at MFC 16: Anger Management with Lofton winning a grueling war by second-round submission via guillotine choke.
Two popular young welterweights will also see action as Sheldon Westcott (1-1) takes on Mike Sorensen (4-1). Westcott, a blossoming up-and-comer, had a successful MFC debut when he stopped Jeff Kisilowsky at MFC 18 while Sorensen reeled off two impressive wins after falling to Ford at MFC 14: High Rollers.
Middleweights Ryan “The Kid” McGillivray (6-3) and Elliot Duff (2-1) will face each other at MFC 19. McGillivray, who began his career with five straight wins, returns to action refocused following a brief layoff while Duff is looking for redemption after a decision loss to Chris Camozzi at MFC 18.
MFC 19: Long Time Coming is more than three-quarters sold as the MFC approaches its 12th consecutive sellout. Fans can purchase the remaining tickets by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 or by contacting Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca, charge-by-phone at (780) 451-8000 or at Ticketmaster outlets.