Every week, the Z-Files intends to add some spark to the Maximum Fighting Championship website with intense and provocative interviews with some of the biggest names in mixed marital arts. Fans will also get the Z-Files unique perspective on the MMA world with takes on recent shows, analysis of fighters, and opinions on the good, the bad and the ugly of all the happenings in our sport.
Z-Files #29 - Middleweight showdown at Rags to Riches
Forbes vs. Camozzi will help decide top contenders - Feb 07, 2008
No one is happier for Patrick Cote’s success than me. I think Patrick is not only a top talent but one of the most genuine individuals I’ve met in the world of mixed martial arts – a gentleman who will be an asset to an organization in the business sense when he’s finished knocking out guys’ teeth out.
That being said, as everyone knows Patrick has exploded on the UFC scene of late with his cans of whoop-ass on Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries so he’s pretty much secured himself a spot with the UFC for the time being. What that means is it’s unlikely he’ll be back anytime soon to defend his MFC middleweight title – a title win he just happened to mention as his career highlight on the UFC website prior to turning McFedries’ lights out.
Z-Files #28 - Part 3
2007's Fights Of The Year - Dec 27, 2007
10. Ryan McGillivray vs. Donald Sanchez (MFC 13): It was a back-and-forth
battle throughout three rounds with Sanchez scoring big in the standup
especially with pulverizing leg kicks and McGillivray scoring with several
takedowns. McGillivray, who was fighting for the first time at 155, faded
late and in the end the judges liked Sanchez's game better and gave him a
unanimous decision.
9. Ryan Ford vs. Aaron Gallant (MFC 12): After just a few weeks of MMA
training, Ford, a former amateur boxer, made his debut. It was a good thing
his main training partner was Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald as submission
defence was critical in fending off repeated rear-naked choke attempts by
Gallant. Ford's untamed aggression proved to be too much and he earned a
second-round TKO in wild fashion
Z-Files #28 – Part 2
2007’s Knockouts of the Year - Dec 17, 2007
Everyone loves a big finish to a fight and there’s nothing fans want more than to see a big knockout.
This year, the MFC had some great KO endings. From the powerful punches of Roger Hollett to the thunderous slams of Ryan Ford, more than a few opponents hit the canvas the hard way.
Here’s a look at the best of the bunch:.
Z-Files #28 – Part 1
MFC 2007 Year in Review - Dec 14, 2007
It has been quite a year for the Maximum Fighting Championship.
Five shows – all sellouts – and a new home at the River Cree Resort and Casino.
Two new champions crowned – Scott Junk taking the heavyweight title in a rugged battle with Jimmy Ambriz and Roger Hollett dethroning Victor Valimaki in convincing style to rip away the light heavyweight belt.
There’s been a sharp increase in the talent level of some MFC homegrown talent – the meteoric rise of undefeated welterweight Ryan Ford, the sudden ascent of Ryan Heck in the lightweight ranks, and the brute force of light heavyweight fan favourite Jason Kuchera.
From top to bottom and all the aspects of running a top-flight promotion in between, it has been a memorable ’07 calendar for the MFC. But as that calendar runs out and the 2008 schedule looms in the not-so-far-off future, I wanted to take a look back and credit those fighters who deserve recognition for their feats.
Z-Files #27 A heavy topic
the big boys are starting to make noise in MFC - Nov 7, 2007
There’s just something about heavyweight fighters that instinctively draws attention.
Would anyone care if a former NCAA champion and former WWE champion decided to jump head-first into MMA if he wasn’t six-foot-four and 275 pounds? Probably not so much, but because it’s Brock Lesnar, who moves like a middleweight and has light-tower power, he’s an instant smash (no pun intended).
Not all that long ago, the Maximum Fighting Championship set out to re-ignite its own heavyweight division. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks to take hold of, but one that was required out of necessity. First of all, it was vital to fill another belt – not with just any run-of-the-mill fighter but one with some decent credentials (there’s very little worse than two guys with a combined number of wins totaling four vying for a major title).
Z-Files #26
Why we do what we do - Oct 19, 2007
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.
Z-Files #25
Hollett, Valimaki headed down different roads - Sept 10, 2007
After one of the most anticipated title fights on Canadian soil, what now
becomes of the participants in the showdown for the MFC world light
heavyweight title?
In Roger Hollett, the MFC can't ask for a better champion - someone who is
willing to defend his title against anyone set in front of him. It's a good
bet he'll be at MFC 14 putting his championship on the line. And despite his
home town being all the way across the country, Hollett has quickly become a
fan favourite in not only the MFC's home territory of Edmonton but he's
truly a national icon as well. I'll bet he develops the same cult following
when he defends his title in new places as well when the MFC hits the west
coast and the U.S. in 2008.
Z-Files #24
Time for titles to be filled - Aug 12, 2007
Three terrific champions currently hold MFC title belts around their waist.
Scott Junk holds the massive heavyweight title, Victor Valimaki who will defend his light heavyweight championship against Roger Hollett at MFC Lucky 13 and Patrick Cote – currently the longest-serving MFC champion with the middleweight crown.
Right now, none of the major MMA promotions in North America outside of the UFC have champions in all of their weight classes. As the MFC continues to assert itself as the fast-rising company in the fast-growing sport, the time has come to fill all the vacancies in the championship belt hotel.
Z-Files #23 - Just a step away from professionalism
Fighters do something that I could never do.- July 10, /2007
They are incredible athletes whom I respect a great deal.
I just wish that they’d treat themselves as professionally as I’d like them to.
It’s so much better than it was say two years ago but the room for improvement is immense. And just by following some helpful hints, reading itineraries and presenting themselves as pros, the fighters would soon realize the dividends. The most obvious of the rewards – sponsorship.
There are entrepreneurs and companies out there with money falling out of their pockets. Fighters are meeting the criteria half way. They look the role but too often they fall short in talking to the media and even speaking about themselves in a press conference. Why is it so many great fighters are developing in Canada but they’re not developing on the side of professionalism?
Z-Files #22 – MMA rules the day
Boxing is getting what it deserves – a KO punch - June 03, /2007
All you need to do to figure out why boxing purists can’t stand mixed martial arts is to give these people a quick once over with two open eyes.
It’s so quickly obvious that they are simply out of touch with the world around them.
Check out the informed opinions from HBO talking heads Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant and that’s all you need to know. In the aftermath of the technically sound but exceedingly boring De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, for no reason at all Lampley rattled off how exciting the whole scene was and that MMA couldn’t stand up against boxing. Lampley has also taken his share of shots at MMA while guest hosting for Jim Rome and simply won’t give the fast-growing sport a chance.
Z-Files #21 – Them’s fightin’ words.
A long-awaited attack on a deserving target. - May 1/2007
After having to bite my tongue for many months, I can’t hold back any longer.
Normally, I think personal vendettas or gripes are best left for places like the Underground Forum which seems to be full of them – some legitimate and some incredibly petty. In fact, the target of this column has been the subject of many of these attacks most of which I’ve left alone and chalked up to ill-will, jealousy, etc.
This time, however, I believe that many in the MMA world will find this airing of a grievance particularly interesting. I’ll take you back in time first of all because this is really where it all began for me.
Z-Files #20 - Scott Junk.
Life in Hawaii seems like paradise. - Apr 08,/2007
Life in Hawaii seems like paradise.
Unless you’re a young kid who looks a lot different than the rest of the youngsters in the neighborhood.
Scott Junk was saddled with the nickname “Punk Haole” (punk white boy) by the kids on street. Those words led to lots of fights. Now Junk fights for a living with his first bout outside of Hawaii coming Friday, April 20 when he headlines the Maximum Fighting Championship’s Unplugged 3.
Z-Files #19 Musings on the MMA World
Some random thoughts, rants and opinions on things going on:. - Mar28,/2007
* The sale of Pride to the Fertitta Brothers (essentially the UFC itself) has generated all kinds of talk in mainstream and MMA media. Is it bad or is it good for the sport?
There are many ways to break this down, so here’s a couple. This now means there is virtually complete global domination by one entity for the entire sport yet it seems as though the UFC, WEC and Pride will all maintain separate identities. The good? Unified rules which will eliminate “soccer” kicks and stomps, institute proper rounds and scoring, etc.
The Z-Files #18 - Are they really the best champions?
Champions make or break a fight organization. - Mar 8/2007
No matter who the owner, president or play-by-play announcer is, they are not the face of the company. The champions are the figureheads out front, the ones who are instantly recognizable, the ones who are the real representatives.
With that in mind, I thought about some champions – some who I know personally, others who I have talked to in the past and even a few who I’ve only ever seen on TV.
Let’s start with the most obvious (and newest) champion, Randy “The Natural” Couture. He is now THE man when it comes to the UFC. But is that a good thing.
Yes and, I’m sorry to say, no.The Z-Files #17 - St. Pierre set for title shot - Nov 7/2006
He’s had to wait for his second chance for a long time, but perhaps
his patience will pay off in a big way.
Or will Georges “Rush” St. Pierre fall short in his quest to finally knock Matt Hughes of his perch as the not only the UFC’s Welterweight titleholder but as one of MMA’s greatest champions of all time.
Z-Files #16 - What’s on the mind of “The Mastermind”? - Oct 18/2006
Fabio Holanda gears up for Stout showdown
He’s ready. More than ready. The time is right and so is everything in the game plan of Fabio “The Mastermind” Holanda.
Z-Files #15 - "The Athlete" primed for UFC debut - Oct 8/2006
Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald is just hours away
from making his dream become a reality.
As he sits in his hotel room, the anticipation is obvious. He can almost taste stepping into the UFC Octagon for the very first time, but he's still a full day from that happening. There's really no tension in the room as MacDonald is cool and calm - the essence of a prepared fighter despite his unfamiliar surroundings.
Z-Files #14 - The two biggest names in the Maximum Fighting Championship are on quite a roll. - July 26/2006
The two biggest
names in the Maximum Fighting Championship are on quite a roll. Both Jason “The
Athlete” MacDonald and Victor “The
Matrix” Valimaki had little trouble mowing through their opposition
at Extreme Cage Combat-3 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. MacDonald needed only
1:41 to lock a vicious armbar on Fritz Paul – one which resulted
in a broken arm for the Quebec fighter. Valimaki was just as impressive
as he crushed “Sugar” Shane Lightle with a barrage of punches
that led to a knockout win at 1:46 of the first round. The dominating
victories give both MacDonald and Valimaki three-fight winning streaks
as they head toward major battles back into the MFC ring on Sept. 8 in
MFC-10 Unfinished Business. Both fighters took some time after their fights
in Halifax to talk with The Z-Files.
Z-Files Special Edition 2 - Mike Maurer - June 14/2006
Mike Maurer
is back on the gridiron. But his alter ego “The Wolverine” is
thinking about another appearance in the Maximum Fighting Championship
ring.
The Edmonton Eskimos fullback, who was the Most Outstanding Canadian in the 2005 Grey Cup game, recently settled into training camp for the 2006 season with the defending CFL champs but thoughts of MMA weren’t far from his mind when the Z-Files caught up with him.
Z Files #12: 05/29/06 - Mr. Lance Gibson Sr.
There are few people in the
mixed martial arts community along the West Coast who don’t know
the name Lance Gibson. Not only has Lance appeared in the UFC, Super Brawl
and Shooto, but he has become one of the most highly regarded trainers
in North America. But those outside of MMA circles are also getting to
know Lance, though they may not realize it. Lance is becoming a familiar
face to moviegoers with appearances in Romeo Must Die and Rumble in the
Bronx. Lance can now be found – albeit under
heavy makeup – in this summer’s major blockbuster X-Men 3.
Z Files #11: 05/15/06 - The Ultimate Fighter – Season 3
With the midway point of “The Ultimate Fighter – Season
3” upon
us, it would seem like the logical time to take a look back on the series.
But this is not a glimpse at the fighters or who’s won and lost. It’s a review of the coaches – who has done well and who hasn’t made the grade.
Z Files #10: 04/18/06 - The MFC's First Champ - Patrick "The Predator" Cote
2006 has already been a big year for Patrick
Cote and it may be getting a whole lot better. He's already been crowned
the first MFC champion and is on the verge of some major happenings even
though he can't quite let the cat out of the bag just yet.
Z Files #9: 04/10/06 - Tim "The Maine-iac" Sylvia
Tim “The
Maine-iac” Sylvia can’t wait to get back
in the octagon. And for his next bout, Sylvia has a mission – to
regain the UFC heavyweight championship.
Z Files #8: 04/05/06 - "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock
Z-Files: As you and I speak, you’re in Las
Vegas and we’re
just 24 hours away from the premiere of “The Ultimate Fighter -
Season 3.” The highlight clips airing on Spike feature the in-your-face
hostility between you and Tito Ortiz. Does that trend continue all season?
Z Files #7: 03/27/06 - "Mr. International" Shonie Carter
Shonie Carter may not be as famous as other stars of mixed martial
arts but he might just deserve the same legendary status alongside
the world’s
best.
The 33-year-old has fought in almost every organization imaginable, in every hotspot of MMA around the world, and stood toe to toe with names like Dave Menne and Pat Miletich. Next up for “Mr. International” is a battle in the newest MMA hotbed of California when he takes on Jake Ellenberger for the IFC United States welterweight title.
Z Files #6: 03/11/06 - Review of MFC 9 - No Excuses
There’s no
question that the Maximum Fighting Championship is coming off its greatest
night.
Z Files #5: 03/09/06 - Setting the Scene for MFC 9 - No Excuses
It was a first-class scene as the Maximum Fighting Championship
held a press conference in Edmonton for Friday’s MFC 9 – No
Excuses show. The Maverick Brewing Co. played host to the press conference
and there was a tremendous turnout of media, fans and sponsors who
were all eager to get a first glimpse of the main participants on
the fight card as well as a first look at the new MFC world middleweight
championship title belt.
Z Files #4: 03/05/06 - Review of UFC 58 - Canada vs. USA
Last night’s UFC card should have been something special. It was good but not great – the end result leaving me only partially satisfied and hardly thrilled. Basically, I was left wanting for more. I couldn’t have been more impressed on a number of levels. Mark Hominick was amazing (albeit I missed most of that fight but saw the best parts) and he should be among the next wave of the UFC’s rising stars.
Z Files #3: 02/26/06 - The Ultimate Fighter Champ - Forrest Griffin
You wouldn’t expect Forrest Griffin to be as relaxed as
he sounds – not
with the biggest fight of his career right around the corner. But the
light heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 is comfortably
calm even as he talks about his upcoming showdown with Tito Ortiz.
Z Files #2: 02/20/06 - Georges "Rush" St. Pierre
Georges “Rush” St.
Pierre is getting a raw deal, but he’s
either too polite or too politically correct to come right out and say
it. The entire MMA world knows that St. Pierre is at the front of the
pack to face UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes. But instead of receiving
a much-deserved second crack at the crown, St. Pierre is being sidetracked
into yet another battle to prove he truly is the No. 1 contender.
Z Files #1: 02/12/06 - What's in store for Canadian MMA
Can’t we
all just get along? Thank you, Rodney King. It’s
a nice thought. How good would it be if Canada’s little chunk of
the MMA world could come together, shake hands, dare I say even hug, and
unite as one? From my perspective, it would be a huge step in the right
direction for this sport...