Pat Healy

Herman Blasts Frye at Shark Fights 6

Former EliteXC heavyweight standout Dave Herman picked up what was arguably the biggest win of his young career on Saturday night, needing only a minute to dispatch of MMA pioneer Don Frye in the main event of Shark Fights 6 in Amarillo, Texas.

The elder Frye pushed for a takedown early on, but Herman was able to stay on his feet and battered the veteran with a flurry of punches that forced the quick stoppage. The win was the second in a row for Herman while Frye has now fallen in three of his last five appearances.

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Weekend Preview: Arona Returns at Bitetti Combat, Horn Headlines Arena Rumble & More

Former PRIDE Fighting Championships standout Ricardo Arona will return to active competition for the first time in over two years when he takes on fellow veteran Marvin Eastman at Bitetti Combat 4 this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It will be the first fight for Arona since losing three out of four bouts under the PRIDE banner, including a brutal knockout at the hands of a streaking Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at PRIDE 34 in April 2007. Eastman is coming off of a second-round TKO of Aron Lofton at a Maximum Fighting Championship show in May.

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MFC 19 Results and Story

Newton crowned new MFC champ
Daley blasts Alessio in Long Time Coming’s superfight

Emanuel “The Hardcore Kid” Newton used a methodical approach and demonstrated a vastly superior gas tank as he ripped the Maximum Fighting Championship’s world light heavyweight title from Roger Hollett last night before a sold-out crowd at MFC 19: Long Time Coming.

Before the HDNet Fights’ cameras and a full house at The Venue at River Cree Resort and Casino, Newton simply wore out Hollett with a steady barrage of takedowns and an early attack to the body that clearly depleted the former title-holder. But while delighted with taking the title by a resounding unanimous decision, Newton (18-3) was apologetic for a fight that was less-than thrilling.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t very exciting and I promise I will be better when I defend this beautiful belt,” said Newton. “I relied on my cardio and that was the difference.”

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Ford Sidelined by Knee Injury

Title rematch postponed to MFC 20 in February

The highly anticipated rematch for the MFC welterweight title has been postponed due to an injury suffered in training by challenger Ryan Ford.
Ford was diagnosed with a hyper-extended left knee by renowned sports physician Dr. Shelby Karpman who further advised the MFC’s top-ranked contender that needs to take time off to heal.

“My knee got bent the wrong way and some of the ligaments got stretched,” said a disappointed Ford. “I have to stay off it for a bit so there was no way I could have a full training camp which means I couldn’t be fully prepared for the fight.”

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Today’s Example of Why MMA is MMA

We all know that mixed martial arts encompasses everything. You can win a fight by doing other things besides throwing a punch.

Just ask Pat Healy.

In his come-from-behind submission win over the previously undefeated Ryan Ford at last weekend’s Maximum Fighting Championship show, you might have noticed that Healy didn’t throw many punches. That’s because he really didn’t. According to the CompuStrike numbers from the event, Healy threw nine punches over two and a half rounds and only one of them landed. One.

Da chart doesn’t lie:

After getting handled in the first two rounds, Healy’s continuous quest for a submission on the ground finally paid off as he caught Ford in an armbar following one of Ford’s many slams in the fight. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember a past scenario that comes even close to this one, in terms of numbers. Crazy.

Healy Shocks Ford, Wins MFC Title

Longtime veteran Pat Healy’s experience came in handy tonight as he overcame an extremely rough start against rising prospect Ryan Ford to surprisingly submit Ford with a third-round armbar in the main event of Maximum Fighting Championship’s latest showing at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton.

The first round saw Ford fight for a successful takedown during the beginning moments. Pinning Healy in the corner, Ford worked some ground-and-pound before Healy was able to force a scramble. Healy nearly caught Ford with an armbar but Ford was able to slip out and stand up before slamming Healy down once again just before the round’s end.

In a reversal of roles, it was Healy that forcefully slammed Ford to the mat at the start of the second stanza, only to have Ford quickly reverse position. With Ford continuing to punish Healy, it looked as if the fight was nearing the end. However midway through the third, another slam left Ford vulnerable for an armbar. Healy quickly capitalized, locking in the hold and forcing Ford to tap out, ruining Ford and MFC President Mark Pavelich’s plans to award the hometown favorite the promotion’s vacant welterweight title in the process.

The night’s co-main event saw Donald Sanchez submit veteran Jason Maxwell with a second-round triangle. UFC veteran Ron Faircloth was also victorious, submitting Levi Avera with a rear naked choke in the second round of their bout. Complete results of the event are after the jump courtesy of Rogers Sportsnet.

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Ford-Healy Headlines MFC’s Latest Sellout

Rising prospect Ryan Ford will try to make good on his bid for Maximum Fighting Championship’s welterweight title this weekend as he takes on longtime veteran Pat Healy in the promotion’s latest event at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada tomorrow night.

“I’ve wanted to have Pat Healy in the MFC for some time,” MFC President Mark Pavelich said in a recent press release. “Ryan has never wavered one bit in his confidence and it doesn’t matter to him who he fights for the title. Pat is one of the toughest and most dangerous fighters anywhere. When these two guys collide in the middle of the ring, there is going to be an unbelievable explosion of speed, power and aggression. Our beautiful new title belt will deservedly go to the winner of this clash.”

After picking up his biggest career win over Pete Spratt in February, Ford ford submitted CJ Fernandes in May to earn the welterweight title shot. His opponent, Healy, has split his last six fights. He most recently dropped a unanimous decision to Jake Ellenberger at an IFL event earlier this year. Healy will be taking the place of Joe Jordan, who was originally a replacement for Drew Fickett and has now suffered a back injury that will leave him unable to compete.

UFC veteran Ron Faircloth will participate in one of four fights on the event’s main card. A total of eleven fights are scheduled to take place. The show is MFC’s tenth-straight sellout. Those interested in catching the event will be able to watch it live tomorrow night on HDNet starting at 10:30 PM ET.

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Nelson, Schultz Defend IFL Titles in Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Lightweight Ryan Schultz and heavyweight Roy Nelson defended their respective International Fight League titles and middleweight Ryan McGivern won his first belt before 3,931 at the IFL event last night at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Schultz grinded out a unanimous decision over John Gunderson to retain his title, maintaining strong position throughout the match. Most of the bout was contested on the ground, with both fighters escaping potential chokes in the final two rounds.

Nelson earned a first-round TKO victory over Fabiano Scherner to defend his heavyweight crown. Nelson took Scherner down midway through the round and used a flurry of right hands to secure the stoppage at 3:20.

In what many felt was the best bout of the night, McGivern topped defending champion Matt Horwich by unanimous decision in a battle in which both fighters had strong moments.

Horwich nearly secured an armbar at the end of the second round, when McGivern was likely saved by the bell. In the closing seconds of the fourth round, McGivern delivered a series of strikes that staggered the former champion, but the champion held on until the bell.

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Ellenberger-Healy Set to Clash at IFL Feb Show

Highly touted Team Quest prospect Jake Ellenberger will take on Lion’s Den veteran Pat Healy in a welterweight bout at the International Fight League’s first scheduled event in 2008.

The bout, which was confirmed by the IFL earlier today, will take place at the promotion’s “New Blood New Battles” event on February 29th, which will take place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The fight rounds out a card that features a total of eight fights, including three championship contests.

Ellenberger is coming off of an emphatic knockout win over Jose Landi-Jons at an Extreme Fighting Challenge event in November. However two of Ellenberger’s career losses have come under the IFL banner. The former middleweight also defeated Ben Uker at the IFL Championship Finals in December of 2006.

Healy has gone 2-1 since joining the ranks of the IFL early last year. A knockout loss to dangerous striker Rory Markham has been sandwiched between decision wins over Ray Steinbeiss and Mike Guymon respectively.

Three Title Fights Headline IFL in Vegas

NEW YORK - IFL titleholders Matt Horwich, Roy Nelson and Ryan Schultz will defend their belts when the International Fight League opens its 2008 schedule with an eight-bout card at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, February 29.

In addition to the three Championship bouts, team competition will feature Matt Lindland’‘s Team Quest vs. Ken Shamrock’‘s Lions Den and Team Xtreme Couture vs. Mario Sperry’‘s MMA Top Team.

Horwich, who claimed the middleweight title with a victory over Benji Radach at the IFL World Grand Prix on December 29, will defend his crown against Tim Kennedy who won all three of his IFL matchups in 2007 with first or second-round finishes.

Nelson, who knocked out Antoine Jaoude to win the heavyweight crown, will take on IFL newcomer Fabiano Scherner, who trains with Lindland at Team Quest. Schultz, whose lightweight victory over Chris Horodecki raised eyebrows in the entire MMA community, makes the first defense of his lightweight belt against John Gunderson, who competes for the Lions Den.

““This card is a good example of how the flexibility of our new format makes for great matchups,” said IFL Commissioner Kurt Otto. “Fans will get to see three Championship bouts, plus some exciting team competition feeding some of our upcoming title fights.””

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