MM-Eh! News and Notes from Canada

Alberta's Maximum Fighting Championship announced Tuesday that Gary Goodridge (Pictures) has been forced to withdraw from his heavyweight bout versus Eric Pele (Pictures) at MFC 16 on May 9 in Edmonton.

Goodridge recently suffered a back injury that he announced requires surgery on the sciatic nerve in his lower back. He was also forced off the April 11 Yamma Pit Fighting card after being knocked out in a fight in South Korea.

"It's disappointing that he won't be fighting but we will find a very suitable replacement immediately," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "Gary told me that he still expects to attend the show and that he hopes to be able to fight in the MFC later this year."

Fighters Nation Set for Inaugural Card

Calgary-based Fighters Nation will have its first card Saturday at the Calgary Corral. Twelve fights are scheduled for "Urban Conflict," including a main event featuring promising Canadian heavyweight Nick Penner against American Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures).

FN public relations director Kris LaBelle told MM-Eh! that there is a $1,000 bonus for every knockout, and they have already pre-sold 2,000 tickets, with a prediction of 2,800 sold.

IFL vet Claude Patrick (Pictures) will be doing the commentary with Calgary's Max Marin (Pictures).

Nick Penner vs. Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures)
Victor Daychief vs. Jarret Evans
Adam Thomas vs. Nathan Gunn
Bobby Kalmakoff vs. Devan Garnan
Mike Zvonick vs. Keto Allen
Trevor Stewardson vs. Jacob Macdonald
Darren Appels vs. Ben Borger
Nick Coloumbe vs. Jeremy McKay
Chase Holthe vs. Matt Veal
Ryan Hartnett vs. Alain Hernandez
Rob Roy vs. Matt Bagshaw
Peter Dahl vs. Elliot Duff

Phoenix Fight Promotions Update

Facing a slew of last-minute changes to his sophomore card, scheduled for this Saturday at the Halifax Forum, PFP co-owner Scott MacLean said opponents for Thierry Quenneville (Pictures) and Steve Claveau (Pictures) did not complete their paperwork in time, so their fights have been cancelled.

Mike Gates (Pictures) vs. Joe Riggs (Pictures)
Rowan Cunningham (Pictures) vs. Stephan Lamarche (Pictures)
Peter McGrath (Pictures) vs. Syd Barnier
Craig Skinner (Pictures) vs. Tim Skidmore (Pictures)
Richard Arsenault (Pictures) vs. Jason Rorison (Pictures)
Vartan Pour Nick vs. Devin Henry
John Hache vs. Jeff Lundeberg
Francis Thibault vs. Scott Levesque

Canadian Calendar

April 26: Fighters Nation "Urban Conflict" - Calgary Corral
April 26: Iroquois Mixed Martial Arts Championship - Hagersville, Ontario
April 26: Phoenix Fight Promotions II "Street Justice" - Halifax
May 3: KOTC "Terror on the Tundra" - Yellowknife, N.W.T.
May 3: UMC - Yorkton, Sask.
May 9: Maximum Fighting Championship 16 - Anger Management - Edmonton
May 10: Hardcore Championship Fighting - Calgary ***Officially Postponed***
May 17: Xtreme MMA 4 - Jonquière, Quebec
May 24: Absolute Fighting "Brawl at the Border" - Amherst, Nova Scotia
May 30: Colosseum Fighting Championships 8 - Winnipeg
June 7: TKO 34 - Montreal
June 20: KOTC - Montreal
June 21: Phoenix Fight Promotions - Halifax
June 27: Ultimate Cage Wars 12 - Winnipeg
July 19: KOTC - Edmonton
July 26: Freedom Fight "Title Quest" - Hull, Quebec
Sep. 6: Fighters Nation 2 - Calgary Corral
Oct. 3: TKO 35 - Montreal
Oct. 18: Phoenix Fight Promotions - Halifax
Dec. 5: TKO 36 - Montreal
Dec. 6: Phoenix Fight Promotions - Halifax