New six-event deal will capture organization’s exciting growth
The Maximum Fighting Championship will remain a frontrunner in showcasing live
mixed martial arts to a massive international audience with a new six-event
contract teamed with broadcast partner HDNet.
Since partnering with HDNet in 2008, nine MFC events have been featured live on
HDNet Fights, beginning with MFC 15: Rags to Riches and through to the most
recent MFC 25: Vindication. During the partnership, viewers from the United
States , Canada , and Mexico have tuned in live on HDNet to see the Maximum
Fighting Championship and its power-packed lineup of talented fighters.
The newly signed deal, which runs through the end of 2011, includes the
fast-approaching MFC 26: Retribution to be held in Westman Place at the
Keystone Centre in Brandon , Manitoba , Canada , on Friday, Sept. 10.
“I am even more excited about this new agreement between the Maximum Fighting
Championship and HDNet than when we signed our initial partnership,” said MFC
Owner/President Mark Pavelich, who personally welcomed HDNet Owner and renowned
entrepreneur Mark Cuban to the Maximum Fighting Championship at MFC 17.
“We have learned so much since then thanks to our business relationship. We
have gone very far in improving our product and we are ready to take things to
the next level to become real players on the worldwide stage.”
Viewers of the MFC on HDNet Fights have seen spectacular fights over the past
two years. In that span, champions have been crowned – Antonio McKee, Emanuel
Newton, Trevor Prangley, and Pat Healy – and numerous fighters have become hot
international commodities. Amongst the biggest names that have stepped into the
MFC ring are fighters such as Ryan Jimmo, Ryan Ford, Thales Leites, Paul Daley,
Benson Henderson, Pete Spratt, Bryan Baker, and John Alessio.
MMA fans across North America have been fortunate enough to see many
heart-pounding fights during the MFC-HDNet partnership including the MFC’s 2009
Fight of the Year between Mike Nickels and David Heath, and highlight-reel
finishes dished out by the likes of Dwayne Lewis, Bobby Lashley, and Aron
Lofton.
“This new long-term deal keeps Canada ’s No. 1 MMA promotion on ‘Your Home of
MMA’ – HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights.
“The MFC is a rarity in this business – exciting fights, big-name stars, local
legends, and sellout crowds. This year, the MFC plans to grow to new heights
and HDNet will be there to capture their great events live.”
The Maximum Fighting Championship is the only Canadian-based mixed martial arts
organization airing on live television, and has drawn praise for its impressive
climb.
“I’m really impressed with how the MFC has gone from being a really solid
regional show to today where it is a real international player in the fight
business,” said Kenny Rice, host of “Inside MMA” and HDNet Fights commentator,
this past December.
“The thing I’ve noticed and what has made the MFC stand out to me is the real
growth which we at HDNet Fights have not seen with a lot of other shows. The
MFC has become a very versatile organization. You see the fighters who are from
the home region and they are very good but you’re also seeing guys from Europe,
guys from Brazil , from all over Canada and the United States . And for that,
the organization deserves a lot of credit. Things are constantly improving.”
