MFC 29 Conquer: It's Time to Fight for Real in "The Ring"

The long wait is over for MMA fans in Canada and Ontario, as the second MMA event in the province's history goes down tonight in THE COLOSSE UM at Ceasars Windsor. The Maximum Fighting Championship is set and ready, with a packed card of well known veterans and young up and coming fighters. By all accounts, the first event held in Ontario at Casino Rama in Orillia was a tremendous success and a great lead jab thrown out for MMA fans.

With the MFC, Canada's longest running and, in my opinion, most reputable MMA organization holding the second show, I am predicting that this event will be the follow up straight right hand of shows. This card is full of great matchups and all fighters made weight and are ready to go. I will stop short of calling this one the knockout of MMA events, as we all know that the overhand right of events is coming to Rogers Center at the end of the month, but the MFC offers a more intimate show and I can't wait to sit ringside.

There are two title fights on the line as well as a much anticipated smashfest between Marcus Davis and Curtis Demarce. Former UFC veterans Hermes Franca and Pete Spratt are also on the card. Here are my thoughts and predictions for the main show tonight.

Co-Main Event MFC World Welterwieght Title

Douglas Lima Champ (17-4) vs. Terry Martin (21-8)

Lima has the title and has youth and swagger on his side, not to mention a distinct advantage in the submission game. Martin has wisdom and experience on his side, having faced some tough, big name competition such as Vitor Belfort and Chris Leben. Martin packs big power, but I will take Lima to retain via third-round submission.

Co-Main Event MFC World Light Heavyweight Title

Ryan Jimmo Champ (14-1) vs. Zak Cummings (13-2)

Jimmo is the champ and is a top Canadian fighter. He is representing the flag here in this one, as well as defending his title. He is on an incredible 14 fight win streak and can beat you with sheer power. Cummings is an injury replacement, as he is stepping in for Emanuel Newton. He is somewhat raw, but he will be looking to break the will of his opponent, as he has done throughout his MMA career. I will take Jimmo to defend via decision.

Main Card-Lightweight

Marcus Davis (17-8) vs. Curtis Demarce (10-8)

The Irish Hand Grenade, Marcus Davis makes his MMA debut for MFC and in Canada, in a very highly anticipated lightweight bout with Canadian gamer Curtis Demarce. Davis was just recently released from the UFC and is looking to bounce back in a big way. His hands are well known and his chin is tried and  tested. He will not be looking to take this one to the ground. Demarce has a growing following in this country following a gutsy and somewhat surprising performance against Richie Whitson in which many thought he was robbed of a decision. This one has "war" and "MFC Fight of the Year" written all over it and I hope it lasts longer than one exchange. Davis by second round knockout.

Of Note at the Venue:

The Colosseum is not open as of yet (4:15pm) but I am looking forward to seeing this venue when the doors open at 6:30 or so. I want to check out "THE RING" and see how the MFC did with their modified version of "The Octagon"

Ceasars Windsor is a top notch facility with lots of buzz in the ticket line and throughout the Casino regarding this show tonight. A quick look at the line shows fans of all shapes and sizes. No dominant demographic as I can see. Come young come old, come ladies and gentlemen. It's nice to see that it's not a line-up of young, drunken riff-raff. Just an observation.

Upon arriving to register for the Media credentials in the Augustus Lobby, I promptly ran into "The Man" himself, Mark Pavelich and said a short hello. He had a spring in his step and gleam in his eye, no doubt as excited as we are to finally be in Ontario. Then, I got settled in to grab some lunch and was sitting next to The Irish Hand Grenade himself. A quick hello and a welcome to Canada prompted him to say that he is happy to be here and Canada has always been lucky for him. He beat the Eastern Canadian Champion in a boxing match earlier in his career and he also beat Quebecor Jonathon Goulet in a match in Montreal. He was sitting with a friend and looks great at 155 lbs. I did not bug him out of respect for fight day, but he shook my hand and was very cool, making it a chance highlight for me.

Stay tuned fans! I will have a breakdown of the fights and post-fight conference later tonight.