With the final MFC show of the year around the corner, I wanted to offer up some information to our fans and even those who have taken a misguided dislike to our promotion.

Promoters come and promoters go in the fight business. The point of this is simple – let’s just see who is left standing in the end. Right now the sport of mixed martial arts is still on a tremendous upswing. In fact here in Canada it is growing incredibly fast – where things were in the U.S. a year ago that’s just the same kind of momentum now found in the Great White North.

So what you’re seeing up here is a lot more people trying to get in the game. Some are brand new and others have tried to play the game before, been sent packing and are now trying their hand again. With so many promotions around, it’s hard to tell for the casual fans who does what and when.

With that in mind, I’d like to explain the way the MFC is doing things and where we’re headed.

As much as some would like to debate it, there is no question that the MFC has attracted the most mainstream media attention of any Canadian-based promotion. Others may get their name on certain MMA-exclusive websites more than others, but is that really doing much for them? They’re capturing the attention of people who are already fans – the same people who would buy tickets to a show anyway.

The MFC had always planned to promote the sport to new people – ones who’ve never seen the sport and once we get them in the door they’ll come back for more. Look at what the MFC has done with Sportsnet, TSN, daily newspapers and other media outlets.

Which show had a major radio station twice broadcasting live at ringside – MFC.

Which promotion had Sportsnet featuring the build-up to a title fight main event with a behind the scenes mini-documentary – MFC.

And now with a first-class production crew on board, the MFC is back on pay-per-view and closing in on at least two network TV deals – and they are all deals which complement the MFC’s style and business approach. Yes, it took some time for this to happen but why would we want to throw a product on the air that isn’t top-notch and on a network that we had to beg and plead to get on? Doesn’t it make more sense for the deal to be beneficial for everyone involved?

The fighters – who are single-most important element to any promotion – are another issue that must be addressed. Yes, other promotions are bringing in big names, but examine that for a minute.

One promoter came along not too long go, put a few “name” fighters on a card and figured he was the King of Kings. Funny thing was he spent most the day before the show handing out piles of free tickets just so he’d have some kind of audience. The King fell off his throne hard. But being stubborn he’ll try it again and as he’s failed in the past, he’s fall will come with a loud thud one more time.

By the way, exactly what does “negotiating with” really mean? Sending a fax or email doesn’t qualify in my books. I would suspect that you need a response of some kind and some actually talk back and forth. When forced to confess at the end that “He agreed to come but we couldn’t agree on money or an opponent” just how far had these “negotiations” really got?

And, if miracle of miracles one of these “names” actually does show up as promised at what cost does that happen? Thousands and thousands of dollars are spent to bring in a “name” fighter and what does it produce? For the most part the name doesn’t prove to be worth much if anything at all. Spend $25,000 on a guy who the vast majority of people outside of MMA circles have never heard of. Does it turn into $25,000 worth of tickets? Not even close.

This is why the MFC has from Day 1 taken on the role of developing homegrown fighters. Why use guys who were yesterday’s news or they’re big news in Armenia?

The difference?

It’s huge actually. These are the guys that people want to see. They truly do sell tickets. Ryan Ford and Ryan McGillivray are money in the bank – they deliver in the ring and in ticket sales. Put Adam Braidwood on the show (and before you ask, he’ll be back in February) and tickets go flying out the door. And we’re not just talking about Pro Camp fighters – those guys under contract to the managerial wing of the MFC (Pro Camp Sports Management).

We’re talking about guys like Ryan Heck – he keeps winning bigger fights and he’s selling more tickets. We’re talking about champion Roger Hollett – basically unheard of in his own neck of the woods then he wins big and makes a name for himself in the MFC. We’re talking about guys like Sean Wright and Jason Kuchera and Brad Zazulak and Dwayne Lewis – guys who will put more butts in the seats then some so-called “name” fighter from Brazil.

These guys are the future of MMA in Canada and some of them have the goods to go far beyond the borders of their home country. They are the guys who will be fighting at MFC 20 and MFC 25 when the other promotions have long since gone the way of the dinosaur.

When the get-in and get-out, get-rich-quick guys – the kind of guys that think they’re something special because they can hang with fighters and wear Tapout shirts – have shot their wad for the third or fourth time and have scurried away, the MFC will still be there going strong.

We’re the Energizer bunny – just as long-lasting and with the same cool sunglasses only we have a nasty bite too.

TV OR NOT TV: Fans often speak straight from the heart and not their head, but in the case of the UFC card coming up, the fans are dead bang on. The fact that the UFC has relegated the Jason MacDonald-Yushin Okami fight to undercard, non-televised status is criminal. I’m sure behind the scenes the reason is that Okami is probably on his way out of UFC to either K-1 or M-1, but to take what is essentially a No. 1 contender’s matchup for middleweight title off the TV show is a major blunder. Prediction: MacDonald via triangle Round 1.

HECK OF A DEAL: There are several very good fights lined up for MFC 14. One that I’m particularly interested in seeing is the lightweight top contenders’ bout between Ryan Heck and Donald Sanchez. The winner is sure to get an MFC title shot some time in ’08. You have to like Sanchez in the experience department but one thing that Heck has going for him is that his friend Ryan McGillivray fought Sanchez before. Heck will have some inside information to work with and this fight will come down to which fighter will be able to utilize his game plan best.

TALKING TOUGH: Every fighter comes in predicting he’ll get the better of his opponent. I’m sure he can do it, but Ryan McClain is sounding confident that he’ll not only erase the big 0 from Roger Hollett’s record, but that he’ll also swipe the MFC light heavyweight title belt right off the champ’s waist. It will take something impress to de-throne Hollett.