For the first time in the organization’s history, the Maximum Fighting Championship will pit two fighters who have become stars right in the MFC ring against each other for a title.
Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (15-4) will clash with Jesse Juarez (15-5) for the welterweight crown in the main event at MFC 27: Breaking Point slated for Friday, November 12 live on HDNet Fights from the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta.
"It’s the most excited I have ever been for an MFC championship fight. This is the kind of fight I’ve been wanting for 10 years,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.
“These guys are MFC fighters – not guys who made their names somewhere else and then came to the MFC. They are both MFC fighters and they are going after the MFC title.
“They became big names here in the MFC and one of them is going to become a true MFC champion.”
Lima, who fights out of the American Top Team’s Atlanta operation, exploded onto the scene back in September at MFC 26. Though he came into the fight with an unheralded name and as a heavy underdog, Lima stunned the sold-out crowd when he fashioned a lightning-quick tapout and Submission of the Night honors early in the second round against home-town favorite Ryan Ford.
Immediately after the victory, Lima offered his plea for a title shot. With the fight in place, the 22-year-old could hardly contain his enthusiasm.
“There’s no need to ask the question. I’m super excited. I was ready for the title fight the day I beat Ford. I’m ready for Juarez,” said Lima, who has won three consecutive fights heading into the title bout.
“I don’t know much about Juarez. I’ve seen a few fights online. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. He’s got a good record but I’m ready to take him on. I think the fight will stay standing but I’m ready for whatever he’s got. Wherever it goes I’m going to be very comfortable.”
A proven jiu-jitsu talent with nine submission wins to his credit, Lima also boasts a solid stand-up attack with muay thai skills that have produced four victories via knockout – all coming in the first round.
Like Lima, Juarez was ecstatic over getting the title shot. He will ride a stellar nine-fight winning streak into the bout – a run of success that includes wins in the MFC over Joe Christopher via unanimous decision at MFC 23 and a startling head-kick knockout of Nathan Gunn only 11 seconds into a matchup at MFC 24.
“It’s awesome to finally get a title fight,” said Juarez, who could bring a third MFC title belt to the Bodyshop Team where he trains under reigning MFC lightweight champion Antonio McKee and alongside former MFC light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton.
“Lima is a great competitor and from a really good camp. I wanted his coach (Roan) Carneiro but fighting Lima should be a lot of fun. Fighting is a lot of fun for me and the paydays are nice. In reality I’m fighting for my family now.”
Fun wouldn’t normally describe a head-to-head confrontation with Lima, but Juarez does possess a well-rounded game that matches up interestingly against his Brazilian-born counterpart. Of his 15 wins, Juarez, who fights out of Torrance, California, has scored five by both knockout and submission.
Lima versus Juarez will top the bill for MFC 27: Breaking Point that includes two already-detailed bouts for the HDNet-televised main card:
Dwayne Lewis (12-5) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (10-2), light heavyweight
Kajan Johnson (17-11-1) vs. Orestes Betran (13-4), lightweight
The remainder of the lineup, including the semi-main event, will be announced shortly.
Tickets are selling fast for MFC 27: Breaking Point. Tickets are available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca and charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000
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