by Jon Luther | Jan 22, 2011 | BLOGS
Ryan Ford, a top welterweight in Canada, is in discussions to sign with Aggression MMA. The announcement was made today following a press release from Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), where Ford was accused of painting MFC owner Mark Pavelich as a racist. MMAFA.tv spoke with Pavelich just two days before the statement was released and Pavelich denied that there was any dispute going on at the time. MMAFA.tv learned today from sources close to the fighter that Ford is pursuing legal action against the MFC for allegedly refusing to pay him a percentage of ticket sales he did for the promotion. Ford claims he sold more than $21,000 in tickets for MFC 27 and is owed $2,695 per a percentage clause contained in his contract. Speaking to Mark Pavelich, one would believe that Ford is out to lunch and not capable of making rational decisions regarding his career. Responding to such remarks, Ford claims that if anyone is to be deemed crazy in the matter it is Pavelich. “He says I’m the one who is crazy? Well that is because I’m not living in his little world. I’m living in the real world. He’s just being Mark Pavelich: the weirdo, bipolar, schizophrenic… you name it. The reason I signed on my manager and my agent in the first place was because Pavelich was taking advantage of me. He was trying to be my friend and be my promoter at the same time. At the beginning of my career he was my manager and up until my eighth fight he had only gotten me one sponsorship deal. He took all...
by Jon Luther | Jan 21, 2011 | BLOGS
MMAFA.tv has learned from sources close to the situation that a legal dispute between fighter Ryan Ford and Mark Pavelich, owner of Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), has gone on for some weeks. This is in stark contrast to a press release statement from the promotion claiming that “The Maximum Fighting Championship and its legal representation have received no letters, emails, phone calls or communication of any kind in any attempt to resolve this matter.” Ford’s representatives have made more than ten attempts to resolve the dispute with Pavelich and his representatives, dating back to October 30, 2010, including more than 4 formal letters and a draft of a settlement agreement. Pavelich released a press release today just prior to arbitration claiming that Ford has accused the promotion of racism and is likely sidelined with the MFC until his contract expires. Ford’s camp claims that the relationship between Ford and Pavelich is contentious and has disintegrated for reasons beyond business. The dispute between Ford and Pavelich originated from Ford’s claim that he was not paid sums due and owing under a promotional agreement with the MFC. According to the agreement, Ford was eligible to sell tickets for MFC events and in turn receive a percentage of the tickets sold. Ford alleges he sold tickets totaling $21,560 for MFC 27 which took place in late November, 2010. Ford claims the promotion has refused to pay him his due amount of $2,695, a percentage of his ticket sales guaranteed to him in his contract. Additionally, Pavelich now claims that Ford owes the promotion money. Speaking with MMAFA.tv, Pavelich claimed that he is...
by Jon Luther | Jan 18, 2011 | BLOGS
Welcome to the wacky world of mixed martial arts, where contradictory information bounces around the news cycle like the metal orbs in a pinball machine. Halo PR, the British Public Relations company who does work with Paul Daley, put out an odd press today release saying that Paul Daley was in advanced negotiations to headline a BAMMA card on February 26th at the Manchester Evening News arena in the UK, a venue with a capacity of nearly 23,000. This news arrived at approximately the same time as Daley’s facebook alarmed the world that he was signing his next fight contract and was very pleased with his opponent. He also stated he that the announcement would make fans “in the UK Division” very happy. MMAFA.tv contacted BAMMA officials, who claim that Paul Daley was a lock for the BAMMA card. However, officials declined to give the name of Paul Daley’s opponent. They assured that the opponent had been “penciled in” and no other names were being considered. In fact, an opponent had apparently been settled on nearly 2 weeks ago. BAMMA claims a press release is on the way. Strikeforce’s PR head Mike Afromowitz stated that Strikeforce officials had not heard a word about the proposed BAMMA bout. Paul Daley claims that he is not fighting for BAMMA and is instead remaining under the Strikeforce banner. Daley doesn’t know what prompted the announcement from the Halo PR team but assures that a correction will be made in the coming days. Still, sources in the UK MMA scene confirmed to MMAFA.tv that an agreement between BAMMA and Daley has been known...
by admin | Jan 13, 2011 | BLOGS
KJ Noons, on the mend after sustaining a broken left hand in his rematch with Nick Diaz, expects to return to the cage in April against undefeated American Kickboxing Academy product Billy Evangelista. Speaking with MMAFA.tv, Noons reflects on his loss to Nick Diaz. “I’m sure [Diaz] and I will fight again. Everyone wanted the rematch and it was voted Strikeforce’s most exciting fight of the year out of twenty some-odd shows. There are changes I could have made, but to be honest me and my corner thought it was two rounds a piece going into the final so I didn’t change it up. I fought at a weight class I’ve never fought at before and I did great. I moved forward the whole time, threw and landed more punches. I think the rubber match will definitely happen.” Noons was recently called out by Strikeforce welterweight Paul Daley following an impressive knockout of Scott Smith. Words were exchanged between both fighters in the press and accusations of ducking the match-up were waged against Noons. Not only does Noons claim to be open to the fight, but he expects it. There are conditions, however. “Paul is a great, exciting fighter and I think he’ll fight for the 170 lbs. world title soon. He deserves it. Am I afraid to fight anybody at any weight class? No, because I am a fighter, but my real weight class is lightweight. I only fought Diaz at 170 lbs. because we have history. I am not scared of Paul and I am definitely interested in the fight, but he would have to come down...
by Jon Luther | Jan 13, 2011 | BLOGS
Finding a young fighter who anticipates the inevitable end to his combat career and acts accordingly is a rare thing. This is especially true when the fighter comes from a humble background and has to deal with the shock of newfound fame and fortune. Kendall Grove knows the story well. Winning the TUF3 season and looking invincible in his first two UFC outings propelled him to a position that would make anybody in the fight industry envious. However, Kendall describes it as a time where he could have acted more wisely. “I’ve been an idiot with my money ever since I got with the UFC up until only a few years ago. It wasn’t until I had my daughter that I said to myself, ‘Oh shit, this isn’t about me.’ I need to support my daughters, my son and a baby that is due in April. So I need my job with the UFC for two more years. After that, I can sit back and be a fan again.” Kendall admits that raising a family, running a gym and punching in a career with the premier Mixed Martial Arts organization is a tall task, and it is one he has done well with so far. Yet as time goes by and his family grows, Kendall eyes the prospect of retirement with increasing consideration. “A job is a job. I want to retire with the UFC because we have a fantastic relationship. But me, personally, I don’t want to do this shit forever. I love it because I love it right now. But once I get enough of a cushion...
by Jon Luther | Jan 10, 2011 | BLOGS
TUF 12 participant Kyle Watson is targeted to fight undefeated John Makdessi at UFC 129. Speaking with MMAFA.tv, Watson discussed getting the news this past week. “I was out of town and my coach sent me a message telling me I could breathe easier now. I was in. It is real now. I’m not fighting guys on the show. I’m fighting guys in the UFC.” Watson, with a record of 13-6-1, won consecutive bouts on TUF12, losing only in the semifinals against the season winner Jonathan Brookins. Watson won a unanimous decision over Sako Chivitchyan at the finale. Citing his involvement in TUF12 as an invaluable learning experience, Watson says it revealed holes in his game that he has since worked diligently on patching up in anticipation of his official debut in the octagon. Watson feels he has yet to show the fans what he is truly capable of. “I got too comfortable being on my back instead of using aggression in the fights. I could have thrown up submissions or gotten more takedowns but I didn’t. I’m capable of it and I’m working with my coaches on the mental aspect of my game. I’m super self-critical. For instance, finishes can be exciting, but sometimes the way I do it is not. I have to work on that but it is something I can do.” Being one of the more grounded and cool-headed participants on TUF 12, Watson intends to keep the same demeanor during his time with the UFC. It is an approach he likens to that of Georges St. Pierre (GSP), his coach on the show. “I...
