(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Maximum Fighting Championship is pleased to invite the media to the official press conference for the introduction of several main-card fighters who will be competing at MFC 36: Reality Check.
MFC 36: Reality Check will air live on AXS TV (formerly HDNet) throughout the United States beginning at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT (check local listings for channel designation).
Two title fights share co-main event status for MFC 36 as both the MFC world lightweight and world middleweight belts will be on the line.
In the MFC world lightweight title fight, hometown star “The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo (8-2) will face Graham Spencer (9-1, 1 NC) with the winner becoming the first Canadian to hold the MFC’s 155-pound division title belt. The title fight is also rematch three years in the making with the original encounter earning Spencer a decision win.
Maromo, who now makes him home in Edmonton, Alberta, is coming off back-to-back wins over former U.S. Marine Adam Lynn and has built an impressive resume since joining the Maximum Fighting Championship. In 2012, Maromo earned the Rising Star Award from AXS TV Fights, captured the MFC’s Knockout of the Year, and racked up his second straight MFC Fight of the Year honor.
Spencer, who hails from Nanaimo, British Columbia, is one of the emerging stars in the MFC and made a strong statement in his organizational debut, earning a resounding unanimous decision victory over Shane Nelson at MFC 35.
In the other co-main event, Elvis Mutapcic (12-2) makes the first defense of his MFC world middleweight championship as he faces “Smilen” Sam Alvey (19-4, 1 NC).
Mutapcic laid claim to the MFC’s 185-pound division crown at MFC 35 when he scored a thunderous third-round TKO finish against Joseph Henle. That win was the second consecutive knockout result for the Des Moines, Iowa, product who is originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia. Mutapcic made a sensational debut under the MFC banner with a dominating first-round stoppage of Jacen Flynn.
Alvey, who fights out of Murrieta, California, will be a stiff test for Mutapcic as he boasts 11 knockout victories on his record. The former reality show standout recently married America’s Next Top Model winner McKey Sullivan, who will be in his corner for the title fight.
A heavyweight showdown will not only decide who the top big man in Canada is but also give the winner of the bout a direct shot at the MFC heavyweight title. The clash will pit Smealinho Rama (5-0) against Mike Hackert (6-1) as both men attempt to position themselves at the top of the MFC’s heavyweight ranks.
Rama, who fights out of Calgary, Alberta, was named Fight Matrix’s Rookie of the Year for 2012, while Hackert, who hails from Comox Valley, British Columbia, bolstered his record with back-to-back wins over former Canadian heavyweight kingpin Tim Hague.
In the MFC’s talent-rich lightweight division, newcomers Jonatas Novaes (10-4) and Kurt Southern (10-3) collide in matchup that could very well determine the next title challenger. Originally from Brazil and now fighting out of Chicago, Illinois, Novaes has won five of his last six fights and the submission specialist has scored seven wins by way of tapout. Southern, a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, holds a career victory over title hopeful Mukai Maromo and comes in riding a three-fight winning streak.
The MFC 36: Reality Check main card lineup is rounded out by a pair of middleweight matchups. One clash will have Jason Zentgraf (6-1) of Missoula, Montana, taking on Clay Davidson (7-3) who fights out of Lethbridge, Alberta. The other bout marks the highly anticipated arrival of Jay Silva (8-6) on the MFC scene as the Huntington Beach, California, product meets Missoula, Montana’s Leo Bercier (7-2-1, 1 NC).
A three-fight undercard, featuring fan favorites Garrett Nybakken and Paul Grandbois along with Keenen Feeney (co-star of reality show “Canadian Pickers”), will get the night started prior to the live TV broadcast.
Schedule of Events for MFC 36: Reality Check *PRESS CONFERENCE* Wednesday, February 13 2 p.m. Rose & Crown Pub – Sutton Place Hotel Those in attendance will include: • Mark Pavelich – Maximum Fighting Championship Owner/President
• Mukai Maromo and Graham Spencer – Meeting for MFC world lightweight title
• Elvis Mutapcic and Sam Alvey – Fighting for MFC world middleweight title
• Smeahlino Rama and Mike Hackert – Canada’s top two heavyweight collide
• Main card fighters Jonatas Novaes, Kurt Southern, Jason Zentgraf, Jay Silva
*Media members can pick up their accreditation for MFC 36 at the press conference.
*WEIGH-IN* Thursday, February 14 2 p.m. World Health Club – City Centre Mall *All fighters will be on the scale and available for interviews and photos.
*FIGHT NIGHT* Friday, February 15 Shaw Conference Centre *Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with undercard bouts starting at 6:45 p.m. The televised card begins at 8 p.m.