MFC-HDNet Extend Partnership; New six-event deal will capture organization’s exciting growth

Posted on | July 27, 2010 | No Comments

For Immediate Release

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.”