MFC 27: Ryan Ford vs. Pete Spratt fight

Ryan Jimmo to face Dwayne Lewis for MFC crown Matchup for LHW title set for main event at MFC 28

The Maximum Fighting Championship has signed an explosive and heavy-hitting title fight as the main event for its first card of 2011 – MFC 28: Supremacy.

In a rare All-Canadian matchup, Ryan “The Big Deal” Jimmo (13-1) and Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis (13-6) will square-off for the vacant MFC world light heavyweight title. Final details on the event’s location and date will be released shortly. The main card, which will be capped off with the title fight, will be shown live on HDNet Fights throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The showdown between Jimmo, ranked No. 1 in Canada and Top 30 worldwide, and Lewis, ranked No. 2 in Canada and Top 50 worldwide, follows in the path of the most-recent MFC title bout pitting Douglas Lima against Jesse Juarez. The Jimmo/Lewis clash is a title fight set between two of the MFC’s biggest names and two of its very own home-grown products. Jimmo has fought eight times under the MFC banner, while Lewis leads all competitors with 13 fights in the MFC ring.

“The fans want to see these two settle the issue of who is the best light heavyweight in the MFC, so this is it. It’s time to make it happen,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“Both fighters deserve the opportunity. Ryan is on an incredible streak, and I made a promise to Dwayne that he would get his shot if he won his last two fights. Now it’s up to them to prove which one of them deserves to wear the championship belt.

“I know they respect each other immensely, but all that has to be pushed to the side now. The time for handshaking, and hugging, and pleasantries is over and done with. This is about which one of them truly wants it more. This is about a title, and in the MFC, you better be ready come fight night because your opponent sure will be.”

Jimmo, who is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, but now lives in Edmonton, Alberta, is riding one of the most-impressive winning streaks in all of mixed martial arts. Since a loss in his professional debut, Jimmo has won 13 straight fights, including a three-round decision over Lewis at MFC Unplugged 3 in April 2007.

During that winning streak, Jimmo has compiled five wins by knockout and two via submission, with notable victories coming against Jesse Forbes, Marvin Eastman, and former MFC light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton. Jimmo last took to the MFC ring at MFC 25 in May 2010, and delivered the best performance of his career has he handed Wilson Gouveia a dramatically one-sided defeat.

Lewis, one of the MFC’s most-popular fighters, is on a tremendous run of his own, having won nine of his last 10 fights. The Fort McMurray, Alberta, product is coming off back-to-back victories over Razak Al-Hassan (split decision at MFC 27) and Mike Nickels (TKO at MFC 26).

While ascending to the top of the contenders’ list, Lewis raised his career knockout total to eight with stoppages of Ryan McClain (second-round TKO at MFC 24) and Marvin Eastman (first-round KO at MFC 23). His only defeat during that run was a decision loss to Newton at MFC 25.

Ticket information for MFC 28: Supremacy will be detailed in the very near future. VIP, Row 1 and Row 2 tickets are available now by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.


History of the MFC light heavyweight belt:



Victor Valimaki def. Jason Day – tapout via rear-naked choke, 2:15 Round 1, MFC 10



Roger Hollett def. Victor Valimaki – tapout via strikes, 2:06 Round 1, MFC 13



Emanuel Newton def. Roger Hollett – unanimous decision, 5:00 Round 5, MFC 19



Trevor Prangley def. Emanuel Newton – unanimous decision, 5:00 Round 5, MFC 21

Time for the title – Lima vs. Juarez

Top two contenders to vie for welterweight crown at MFC 27

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