For 90% of the MMA fans in the world when you say MMA they immediately think UFC. The UFC brand has almost replaced the word MMA in the causal fans mind. What is a shame is the promotions that have very talented fighters don't get the respect they most definitely deserve. These promotions are essential to help create and develop fighters so that when they do enter the top promotion UFC they will be seasoned and put on a show that people are paying top dollar for. I could write for hours on every promotion out there that is in dire need of more respect, but for the sake of your interest I will focus on just one.
The MFC or Maximum Fighting Championship is debatably the best and biggest promotion in Canada. That statement makes the MFC appear to be bigger and more popular than they actually are. Let me clarify, they have a fan following and sell out shows, but not to the size that it should be selling. If I were to tell you that Dean Lister was fighting Thales Leitis on the upcoming UFC card there is a pretty decent chance you would anticipate this fight and talk about it with friends. "who do you got in the Lister fight? It's the classic striker vs grappler match up". But if I said the same two fighters are fighting in the up coming MFC event there is a good chance you would make no effort to watch the event let alone break it down with friends. Weird, no? (For the record they are not fighting each other its just an example.) Lister and Leitis are just two of many great fighters who call the MFC home. Along with them you can add Richie Hightower, Wilson Gouveia, Jesse Taylor and Pete Spratt to the list of high ranked MMA fighters who currently fight in the promotion. On top of ex UFC fighters they have some of the best prospects in the world, mainly Ryan Ford. Ford is debatably the strongest welterweight on the planet and has a solid 12-2 record with wins over Pete Spratt and Tommy Speer. The MFC does air its fights on HD net, so to say not being able to watch the fights is the problem wouldn't be correct. So why is it that when I talk MMA with friends no one knows what the MFC is?
My theory for the lack of interest is based on two factors. First is location. They are based out of Edmonton Alberta, and the majority of the fights are at the River Cree Casino which is out side of E town. I don't hate Edmonton, but if you are a Vancouver local a trip up to Edmonton to watch a smaller promotion isn't the most ideal scenario. Northern Alberta is also one of the less populated area's in Canada. To fix that the promotion needs to travel. Head to Calgary, Kelowna, Kamloops, and Vancouver. The second and maybe biggest factor is Canadian coverage. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and most major sport networks are grabbing on and making it apart of their daily programming. But all of these are focusing on the big promotions IE: UFC, Strike Force, and WEC. These same sports networks pride themselves on delivering out standing local and Canadian coverage but some how forget to discuss Canadian promotions. I hope I have helped you realize that there are many talented fighters working very hard to make it to the big show and with out your support in these smaller shows that dream may never come true.
