Undefeated welterweight Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford will not only be taking a big step up in competition at the Maximum Fighting Championship’s MFC 15: Rags to Riches. He’ll also be in the spotlight of the main event. Ford, who lives in Edmonton, Alberta, will square off against seven-time UFC veteran Pete Spratt, a native of San Antonio, Texas, at MFC 15 which will take place on Friday, February 22 at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton. MFC 15: Rags to Riches marks the Maximum Fighting Championship’s first event of 2008 and the first fight card in a five-event agreement for 2008 with the River Cree Resort and Casino.

Ford (4-0), a fast-rising powerful phenom, faces Spratt (17-10) in just the fifth fight of his career. In an interesting twist, current UFC interim welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre also faced Spratt in the fifth fight of his career back in 2003. St. Pierre was victorious with a submission at 1:40 of the first round. “Like many others, I believe Ryan Ford has the talent to become a major force in this sport and it is fitting that he gets this test against Pete Spratt at the same time in his career that Georges St. Pierre did,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.“Ford is a hungry lion in search of his next prey. Pete Spratt is a dangerous opponent looking to silence a young gun. This has all the makings of a great main event."

Although his career in mixed martial arts began only six months ago, Ford has become a dynamic force in the 170-pound class with his combination of unbridled aggression, superior strength and blazing speed. Three of Ford’s victories have come by way of knockout including his ferocious assault on Mike Sorensen at MFC 14: High Rollers on November 23, 2007. Spratt has fought some of the best in the welterweight ranks during his eight-year career and has beaten such notables as Robbie Lawler and Rich Clementi. A devastating striker, Spratt was part of the cast of The Ultimate Fighter Season 4 – The Comeback and twice fought for Mark Cuban’s HDNet Fights in 2007.