MMA Live 1 London: Jon Jones and 8 Reasons To Watch MMA Live 1 Parisyan vs. Ford

Next to UFC 129 in Toronto, the largest MMA event in Ontario is coming up on Thursday May 19th.

Jones Entertainment Group is proud to present MMA Live 1: London, which will headline mixed martial arts veteran and colourful Karo "The Heat" Parisyan vs. one of Canada's top welterweight fighters, Edmonton native Ryan "The Real Deal" Ford.

The event will take place at the 9,000-people capacity John Labatt Centre (JLC) in London, Ontario and will have a traveling MMA Expo featuring an appearance by Jon "Bones" Jones during the day of the fights.

Here are the top 10 reasons to get to London to check it out.

8. The John Labatt Centre Is a Great Mid Size Venue to Watch an MMA Show

The Labatt Centre is a great venue for an MMA event. Let's hope it's full on May 19th.

I witnessed a nice set up at the MFC's event in Windsor in the 5,000-seat Colosseum at Ceasars, and also had the privilege of seeing a fabulous show at UFC 129 in the 55,000-seat Rogers Center in Toronto.

I have faith in JEG that they will put on a great show at The John Labatt Centre. It is a great venue to hold an event.

7. The First Ever Female Fight in Ontario: Barone vs. Budd

Ottawa's Barone will be looking to bounce back from a loss at MMA Live 1 vs. Budd.

Barone vs. Budd is the first female MMA fight ever in Ontario and will see Ottawa native Anna Barone who is coming off a tough loss last August vs. B.C.'s own Strikeforce veteran Julia "The Jewel" Budd. 

Budd is coming off a lightning quick loss herself to none other than top-ranked Brazilian fighter Amanda Nunes in January of this year.

I think Budd will be looking for some revenge in this one, and Barone will have her hands full.

6. Dietz Makes His Return vs Denis and Both Need Wins Badly

Sometimes it can go either way when two fighters need wins as badly as Kyle Dietz and Nick Denis do to stay relevant in the bantamweight division but I am hoping for a fast paced fight in this one.

To me Dietz has faced tougher guys than Denis, but Denis has won more fights so this one is tough to call.

5. Is Marcus Aurelio Still Relevant? We'll Find out Against Cory MacDonald

Aurelio lasted but lost a two round decision to Aoki last year. MacDonald will be a different test for him.

It's hard to ask if a guy who just recently lost a decision to Shinya Aoki is any good and relevant, but before Aoki who has Aurelio ever fought? He lost to Evan Dunham in the UFC in 2009 in his last real tough test.

I think Kingston's Cory MacDonald will be up for a good fight, and this is the one I want to see most. Look for MacDonald to catapult his name off a win in this one.

4. Just How Good Is Kingston Fighter Cory MacDonald? Can He Get to the Show?

On the flip side to Aurelio, and being from Ontario, I have been hearing about Kingston fighter Cory MacDonald for quite a while now.

Aurelio will test just how good MacDonald is and whether or not he can get to the bigger MMA promotions before his career gets to the other side.

3. Is Top Ranked Canadian Welterweight Ryan Ford Really the Real Deal?

Ryan Ford is out of the MFC to make a name on his own and he takes a big step up in facing Karo Parisyan at MMA Live 1.

Is he what his nickname says he is? I sure can't wait to find out if Ford can handle Parisyan as a stepping stone to bigger things.

2. Will a Focused Karo Parisyan Bring the Heat for the Canadian Fans

I am excited to see Karo Parisyan fight in my neighborhood of London on May 19th, but will Karo really show up? Traditionally, question marks always swirl right up to the minute when Karo is involved, and I just hope he is ready to go.

A focused and fit Karo can really bring some unique moves and judo throws and I believe will make a good fight with Ford.

1. A Rare Chance to See the Real Champ UFC Title Holder Jon "Bones" Jones

My apologies to a semi-solid fight card, but it's not very often you get one of the UFC's current champions and the hottest thing in the business in to small town Canada.

Jon Jones is the champ of all champs in mixed martial arts these days and he will be appearing at the MMA Live Expo the day of the fights. A great chance to meet a star in this sport.

Enjoy the fights!