MFC 36: Reality Check Predictions

Sam's Picks

Graham Spencer vs. Mukai Maromo: This is a fantastic fight. Their first fight was great and now that they have both really improved since then, it will be even better this time around. Spencer did win that fight by unanimous decision, but Maromo has really improved since then, showing a better ground game and displaying brutal knockout power. Spencer is still a very good fighter, but Maromo will win this rematch = Maromo via unanimous decision.

Elvis Mutapcic vs. Sam Alvey: (Check out our interview here) I have to say, I was extremely surprised when I found out that the UFC released Alvey following TUF. He is entertaining, charismatic, and extremely talented. What he showed on TUF doesn’t do him a justice. He has wins over Lucas Lopes, Jason Guida, and even Karl Amoussou. He also has an extremely close loss to Vitor Vianna. Mutapcic is also one of the more exciting prospects himself, always putting on great fights and pulling off upsets. I mean, the guy has wins over Joseph Henle, Jacen Flynn, Zak Cummings and even has a knockout win over TUF: Brazil winner, Cezar Ferreira in just 25 seconds. They both have the tools to defeat each other, but I think Alvey has the power to win it. It will be extremely close but Alvey will rock him several times throughout, making the judges lean to him = Alvey via split decision.

Mike Hackert vs. Smealinho Rama = Hackert via split decision.

Clay Davidson vs. Jason Zentgraf = Zentgraf via unanimous decision.

Leo Bercier vs. Jay Silva = Silva via 1^st round KO.

Jonatas Novaes vs. Kurt Southern = Southern via unanimous decision.

Dave's Picks

Mukai Maromo vs. Graham Spencer: This fight should be a blast to watch. I think Maromo’s game has improved since the last time these two fought back in 2010. However, his game has not evolved enough to handle Spencer. Spencer will drag this to the ground and keep it there until the final bell rings. = Spencer by unanimous decision.

Elvis Mutapcic vs. Sam Alvey: (Check out our interview here) Sam Alvey is the man! He was a great interview and I think he takes this fight. But both of these guys are incredibly durable and tough and they are also both very well-rounded. This will be a close fight but I think Alvey comes from a great camp and he is also much more experienced. I see Alvey controlling the pace and dictating where the fight takes place; landing bombs along the way. = Alvey by unanimous decision.

Mike Hackert vs. Smealinho Rama = Hackert by split decision.

Clay Davidson vs. Jason Zentgraf = Zentgraf by submission in round 3.

Leo Bercier vs. Jay Silva = Silva by KO in round 2.

Jonatas Novaes vs. Kurt Southern = Novaes by submission in round 2.

Make sure to tune in to this event at 10 PM on AXS TV on February 15th and let us know your predictions for this event, either on Twitter @Champion_Rounds, or in the comments.

MFC Signs UFC Vet Jay Silva; 36th Event Taking Shape

Jay Silva pounding Kendall Grove.
Photo via Superior Cage Combat

The MMA world’s largest Canadian based promotion continues its growth with the signing of UFC, Bellator, and KSW veteran in Jay Silva. The middleweight is coming off of a very close majority decision loss to Poland’s Michal Materla back in May of this year. But before that, Silva was coming off of a huge upset submission win over The Ultimate Fighter season 3 winner, Kendall Grove in a highlight reel submission win by arm triangle.

But his opponent at MFC 36 is no easy one. Jacen Flynn, a veteran of the sport since 1999, is a tough-as-nails competitor with an impressive resume including first round submissions over Pride and UFC vet Denis Kang, journeyman Hank Weiss twice, and Edwin Dewees. His ground game is solid but Silva isn’t exactly the easiest fighter to submit, considering he hasn’t been submitted in his career despite fights with CB Dollaway, Jaime Jara, and Kendall Grove.

Maximum Fighting continues its middleweight matchups for its 36^th event with a bout between Jason Zentgraf and Luke Harris. This bout is bound to produce both fireworks and some crazy scrambles on the ground as they only have gone to one decision between the two of them and have 14 first round submission wins combined.

Harris, coming off a first round TKO loss at the hands of the underappreciated Joseph Henle, is looking to get back on track after an impressive run in a nine fight unbeaten streak. Jason Zentgraf, on the other hand, looks to continue to a four fight win streak at MFC 36.

The card is still in the works, though it will be headlined by lightweights Mukai Maromo and Graham Spencer for the MFC lightweight title.

The event will be held on AXS TV on February 15^th at 10 PM ET and held at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Go purchase your tickets at www.maximumfighting.com.