Special thanks to Kelsey Philpott of Maximum Fighting Championship for providing the results and detailed fights recaps. We’d also like to thank Andy and Ryan from CompuStrike (
www.compustrike.com) for providing statistics all night long. You can find a host of fight analysis and recaps using their proprietary statistics program on the Web site.
Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC) 21 went down yesterday (Friday, May 15) from the River Cree Resort and Casino just outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
“Hard Knocks” featured a ton of familiar names and faces, including former WWE star Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley stepping into the ring against Frank Shamrock-trained Mike Cook prior to his colossal pay-per-view (PPV) clash against Bob Sapp set for Prize Fight Promotions on June 27.
In the main event, reigning light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton defended his title for the first time against the well-traveled Trevor Prangley, who’s won eight of his last nine fights and holds career wins over such notables as Ultimate Fighter reality show winner Travis Lutter, Yuki Kondo and Chael Sonnen.
Two light heavyweight bouts were also front and center with David Heath, who is coming off an electrifying victory over former MFC champion Roger Hollett at MFC 20, matching up against the rugged Travis “The Gladiator” Galbraith, while the always-explosive Aron “The Poster Boy” Lofton took on heavy-handed Marvin “The Beastman” Eastman.
So who were the winners and losers? Check out the quick results and fight recaps after the jump.
MFC Light Heavyweight Championship:
205 lbs.: Trevor Prangley def. Emanuel Newton via unanimous decision
Main Card:
265 lbs.: Bobby Lashley def. Mike Cook via submission (front naked choke - R1)
205 lbs.: Travis Galbraith def. David Heath via split decision
170 lbs.: John Alessio def. Andrew Buckland via submission (rear naked choke - R1)
205 lbs.: Ryan Jimmo def. Mychal Clark via unanimous decision
205 lbs.: Marvin Eastman def. Aron Lofton via TKO (strikes - R2)
Undercard:
265 lbs.: William Richey def. Ryan Fortin via split decision
170 lbs.: Jason Heit def. Jeremy Combrink via TKO (strikes - R1)
205 lbs.: Dwayne Lewis def. Jay Whitford via TKO (strikes - R1)
170 lbs.: George Belanger def. Nolan Clarke via TKO (strikes - R1)
Fight Recaps
Note: Thanks again to Andy and Ryan of Compustrike for the statistics provided.
MFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Trevor Prangley vs. Emanuel Newton
Round 1:
Newton exerts control right out of the gate, landing some good combinations but he awakens Prangley, who returns fire including a nasty body kick. They clinch in the corner and Newton uses a full body lock to slam Prangley to the ground. Before Newton can capitalize, Prangley is back to his feet for further exchanges. Midway through the round, Prangley lands a beautiful hip toss and it is Newton that pops right back up. The two work in and out of the clinch for much of the next few minutes with Newton securing the odd slam, but unable to keep Prangley to the mat.
Round 2:
The second begins with both again exchanging flurries of punches; a small cut begins to appear under right Newton’s eye. Prangley looks to be frustrating Newton with his precise striking and some devastating leg kicks. Newton does his best to respond with wild, looping, and heavy punches. The two spend the middle of the round tied up, trying to secure trip-takedowns. Prangley finally manages to get Newton to the ground and lands in half guard, but Newton quickly escapes after Big John repositions them away from the ropes.
Round 3:
Newton lands a good combination early that sends Prangley reeling, but Newton fails to close in and capitalize. Prangley recovers and lands a vicious left that rocks Newton, but he gets tied up and then receives a knee to the groin that prevents any further attack (Big John takes a point from Newton). Both are a little pissed off as they exchange heated combinations and heavy kicks; and now, a cut has surfaced under Prangley’s right eye. Prangley seems to be using an effective jab, leg kick, right body shot combo that is wearing Newton down.
Round 4:
Prangley starts the fourth the way he finished the third, exhibiting superior boxing technique and quickness. Newton appears tired and worn - his left eye swelling and cut. Out of nowhere, Newton lands a shot and Prangley stumbles, but as Newton moves in to engage Prangley spins, clinches, and throws a huge knee to the chest of Newton. Some tight standing exchanges end the round, both men returning to their corners for final advice.
Round 5:
By the fifth round the exchanges have become pretty wild and sloppy, but Prangley’s leg kicks are devastating Newton (as are his body shots). While Newton manages to land a few good shots, Prangley is landing nearly everything and sprawling any last minute takedown attempts. To end the round, both are giving it every last ounce of energy and in a last ditch effort, Prangley, follows a punch combo with a HUGE right head kick to the chin of Newton as the bell sounds.
Notable Statistics:
The fight was quite even with Prangley landing 20 more strikes, most of them kicks.
Trevor Prangley wins by Unanimous Decision (48-46, 49-46, 49-46)
265lbs.: Mike Cook vs. Bobby Lashley
Round 1:
To start the fight Lashley comes straight forward and walks right into a crisp left hand, but he manages to shrug it off and secure a front naked choke from the top and flatten Cook out for the win.
Bobby Lashley wins by Submission - Front Naked Choke (24 seconds of Round 1)
205lbs.: David Heath vs. Travis Galbraith
Round 1:
The round begins as both men test each other with a series of inside and outside leg kicks. Midway through the round Heath appears to find his jab, which keeps Galbraith at bay and limits him to lunging, looping strikes. Intent to keep things standing, they continue to exchange shots throughout the round. The only difference being Heath doubling and tripling up on his shots as oppose to Galbraith’s single attempts.
Round 2:
The second begins much the same way as the first, but with both men trying their hand at spinning back kicks. Galbraith begins to bring combination attacks with some success and Heath continues to use his jab. Midway through, Galbraith lands a low blow on Heath - the second kick to the area. Heath returns from a brief stoppage with a little more animosity and the action picks up as both exchange heavy combinations.
Round 3:
Galbraith opens up with three heavy inside leg kicks and then sound head kick for good measure. Heath responds with a jab, cross, and vicious body kick in kind. The men clinch and, in a first, Galbraith shoots for a takedown but is sprawled. He then comes up with another shot to Heath’s groin - a knee this time - that pauses the round. Not even a minute later, Galbraith lands another unintentional illegal blow - this time an eye poke. The round ends with Heath stalking Galbraith, unable to land much of anything.
Notable Statistics:
Heath landed 57 of 102 and Galbraith landed 43 of 109.
Galbraith wins by Split Decision
170lbs.: Andrew Buckland vs. John Alessio
Round 1:
A cautious opening minute ends with a tempered exchange and clinch. Alessio uses a knee then follows up with a trip to take Buckland down. He works from side control to full mount as a desperate Buckland tries to escape. As Buckland gives up his back, Alessio sinks in a rear naked choke to finish.
Alessio wins by RNC (2:53 of Round 1)
205lbs.: Mychal Clark vs. Ryan Jimmo
Round 1:
The two exchange probing strikes to begin the round as both fighters try to find their range. Jimmo then closes the distance and clinch trips Clark for the takedown. They get back to their feet and again Jimmo clinches and trips, but this time Clark sweeps and lands in Jimmo’s guard. Clark attempts to posture but is pulled down and swept by Jimmo, who lands into full mount and immediately sprawls Clark out.
Round 2:
To begin the round, Clark closes the distance and drops for a takedown that Jimmo sprawls and transitions into a trip takedown. From half guard, Jimmo uses elbows and rabbit punches to work Clark, but nothing terribly effective. Clark manages to stand but falls into an arm-in guillotine which Jimmo uses to pull guard then scramble with into Clark’s full guard. Jimmo stays heavy on top and lands the odd punch to finish out the second round.
Round 3:
Clark looks to be slightly more eager to engage as they start the third round - likely feeling he’s behind. They finally clinch in the corner, but Jimmo’s evident superiority in the clinch leads to another trip takedown into side mount. From the side position, Jimmo again utilizes effective elbows to batter a resilient Clark who eventually works back to his feet. Again from the clinch, Jimmo passes to Clark’s back and tosses him to the ground - again moving straight to side control. This time Clark can’t escape, despite several attempts at a sub sweep or roll. The round ends with Jimmo in full mount, punishing Clark from the top.
Notable Statistics:
Tellingly, Jimmo was 6 for 6 on his takedowns and a punishing 65 for 111 strikes on the ground. Clark, on the other hand, managed to land 20 of 41 total strikes.
Ryan Jimmo wins by Unanimous Decision
205lbs.: Marvin Eastman vs. Aron Lofton
Round 1:
Big John McCarthy tells them to “get it on!” and both men take the center of the ring aggressively as Eastman drops for a single leg. Lofton catches the shot and delivers an unintended knee to the groin of Eastman. Action resumes and then men trade short punches from the clinch before Lofton eventually secures a leg sweep takedown. Lofton mounts Eastman against the ropes and tries a guillotine before switching to a kimura attempt, but Eastman manages to sweep position and lands in Lofton’s full guard - arm still trapped. They work their way to a standing position but immediately clinch. The round ends just as Eastman secures a huge slam.
Round 2:
Eastman chases Lofton down and shoots for a takedown that lands him in full guard. Posturing up, Eastman begins to rain down some brutal ground and pound, cutting Lofton with elbows, and securing the TKO victory as Big John moves in to stop the bout.
Notable Statistics:
Eastman landed a telling 22 of 23 strikes on the ground as he punished Lofton early into the second round.
Marvin Eastman by TKO (59 seconds of Round 2)
265lbs.: William Richey vs. Ryan Fortin
Round 1:
Fortin lands a good combination of punches followed by a solid knee, but Richey catches the leg and takes Fortin down hard to start the round. Richey manages a full mount and begins to strike before being swept by Fortin. The fight gets back to its feet midway through the round and Fortin rocks Richey with a vicious right and follows up with three or four hard knees from the clinch. Richey decides he’s had enough and shoots for the takedown straight to full mount once again. Richey then attempts an unsuccessful arm triangle but scrambles back to full mount before trying for an arm as the bell sounds.
Round 2:
Fortin lands a huge right leg kick to the body to open the second round and his opponent looks to be quite tired. Fortin continues to stalk, but again as Fortin steps in to engage, Richey slips a big right and shoots for the takedown into half guard. Richey uses the half guard to batter Fortin’s midsection and create enough space to transition through to side mount where he’s quite active. However, failing to improve his position and lulling for a moment the ref stands them up. It’s clear at this point that Fortin is superior on the feet and Richey on the ground. The round ends with Richey back pedaling for the remaining 30 seconds trying to avoid the lunging strike attempts of Fortin.
Round 3:
Richey weathers an early surge to secure a single leg which he uses to pick up and slam the 260lbs Fortin. Richey again finds a way to land in side control, but after an initial series of punches, inactivity sees the ref stand it up. Fortin then lands another vicious body kick and this time effectively sprawls the Richey takedown attempt. Fortin lands a series of knees to the body and as the men reach their feet, another bunch of strikes. Richey continues to back pedal with his hands at his side, at times turning his back to Fortin looking totally worn out. A frustrated, but tired, Fortin continues to stalk Richey with probing shots as the fight concludes.
Notable Statistics:
Richey landed 74 of 84 strikes from the ground which paints a picture of his ground dominance in a fight where he secured full mount 3 times in 15 minutes. Fortin landed 21 of 50 on his feet, 20 of them power strikes.
William Richey wins by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
170lbs.: Jeremy Combrink vs. Jason Heit
Round 1:
After a brief feeling out period, Combrink takes an ill-advised, head-first diving shot for a takedown and Heit simply shifts his weight and tosses Combrink to the ground. Heit then spends the next few minutes in side control, trapping Combrink’s arms in a crucifix, and utilizing an effective series of unanswered rabbit punches and short elbows to seal the victory.
Jason Heit wins by TKO (4:17 of Round 1)
205lbs.: Dwayne Lewis vs. Jay Whitford
Round 1:
Lewis opens the round with a flying knee and barrage of punches that puts Whitford up against the ropes. Whitford tries to clinch and survive the onslaught but is thrown off. Another series of strikes finds Whitford covering up and the ref jumps in to stop the fight.
Dwayne Lewis wins by TKO (29 seconds of Round 1)
170lbs.: Clarke vs. Belanger
Round 1:
Both men engaged in healthy exchanges to open the round but after trading takedowns it appeared as though Nolan Clarke had gassed out. After sprawling a takedown attempt from Clarke, Belanger used the knee-on-belly to rain down punches to end the bout.
George Belanger wins TKO (4:25 of Round 1)
That’s a wrap.
