Maromo wins Rising Star Award at The Bazzie’s

(PRESS RELEASE) -- For the second time in the history of the Maximum Fighting Championship, one of the organization’s fighters has been bestowed with the honor of winning a prestigious Bazzie Award from AXS TV’s“Inside MMA.”

“The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo claimed the Rising Star Award during the special year-end broadcast of ‘The Bazzies’ which aired on Christmas Eve on AXS TV. Maromo won both of his fights in 2012, taking a controversial split-decision verdict from Adam Lynn at MFC 33, and then electrifying the crowd at MFC 34 in the rematch against Lynn when he scored a scintillating second-round knockout which also earned him the MFC’s 2012 Knockout of the Year.

The Bazzies are named after mixed martial arts icon and “Inside MMA” analyst Bas Rutten.

“Winning the Bazzie is an incredible honor and a big part of achieving my dream of becoming an icon in this sport,” said Maromo, who will fight for the vacant MFC lightweight title against Graham Spencer on Friday, February 15 live on AXS TV Fights from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Prior to Maromo, MFC competitors Jason Kuchera and Aron Lofton received the Bazzie for 2008’s Bloodies Fight of the Year.

The honor was especially gratifying for Maromo (Twitter: @AfrikanAssassin), who emerged on the scene in 2011 after arriving in the United States on a track and field scholarship from his native Zimbabwe. Now making his home in Edmonton, Alberta, the 29-year-old has become one of the MFC’s most engaging and crowd-pleasing fighters with his colorful personality and striking prowess.

“I couldn’t have done without the MFC family, AXS TV Fights, and all my sponsors who have aided me thus far in my journey,” reflected Maromo.

“It’s surreal every time I see myself in some sort of media. I can’t help but look to the beginning of my journey and realizing how far I’ve come and how far I have left to go.”

Maromo enters the title fight riding a five-fight winning streak. During his tenure under the Maximum Fighting Championship banner, Maromo has won two Knockout of the Night awards, and shared the MFC’s 2011 Fight of the Year with Sabah Fadai. “I’m particularly proud of Mukai winning the Rising Star Award. He definitely fits the description perfectly,” noted Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“He had an outstanding 2012 and I believe there’s bigger and better things on the horizon for him in 2013 starting with his title fight against Graham Spencer at MFC 36. Mukai has all the makings to go well beyond a Rising Star.”

Tickets for MFC 36: Reality Check are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.