Mark Pavelich, owner and president of Maximum Fighting Championship, is proud to announce that Mike Maurer of the Edmonton Eskimos has signed a contract to fight in the MFC card slated for March 10, 2006. Maurer, the Eskimos fullback who earned the Canadian MVP award at the 2005 Grey Cup, will make his professional mixed martial arts (Ultimate Fighting) debut at MFC 9 – No Excuses which will be held at Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre.

“I want to let everyone know how excited I am about this opportunity,” said Maurer. “I want to let everyone know how serious I am about my mixed martial arts training. This is not a hobby for me and I believe it is something that I will pursue full-time following my football career. I want to go as far as I can in the world of mixed martial arts and I am very happy that the Maximum Fighting Championship is the organization that is giving me my start.”

Maurer, who currently trains in his home town of Regina, has been training in mixed martial arts for several years and has anxiously awaited the right opportunity to get in the ring and test his skills. Maurer will fight in a light heavyweight (205 lbs.) battle against a comparable opponent.

“I am thrilled that Mike has decided to join the Maximum Fighting Championship and the entire MFC family is particularly excited that his first fight will be held in Edmonton where fans of mixed martial arts and the Eskimos will get to see him in action,” said Pavelich.

“I heard about Mike’s interest in mixed martial arts during the Grey Cup and he had a phenomenal performance in the championship game. I believe Mike will follow that up with another spectacular showing in the Maximum Fighting Championship. The heart, dedication and athletic prowess he showed during the Grey Cup all lead me to think he will be a superstar in mixed martial arts.”

“With Mike coming on board, we know we have made the right choice in making Edmonton the permanent home of the Maximum Fighting Championship. I believe this is the greatest sports city and the support we have received in the past proves my point.”

In addition to Maurer in the “Superfight” of the night, middleweight Jason “The Athlete” Macdonald will be in action and the lineup for the evening will include an excellent light heavyweight showdown between Victor “The Matrix” Valimaki and Travis “The Gladiator” Galbraith. The remaining bouts for the 10-12 fight card will be announced in early 2006.

All fights in the Maximum Fighting Championship are sanctioned by the Edmonton Boxing and Wrestling Commission and follow the rules laid out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The Maximum Fighting Championship was the first professional mixed martial arts organization outside of Quebec to be fully sanctioned by an athletic commission in Canada. This will be the 10th show that the MFC has hosted.

To contact Mark Pavelich, please call (780) 995-9095. Arrangements can also be made through Mark to contact Mike Maurer.