Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford will continue his ascent towards the Maximum Fighting Championship’s welterweight title when he puts his perfect record on the line against C.J. Fernandes at MFC 16: Anger Management on Friday, May 9 at the River Cree Resort and Casino.

Ford ran his record to 5-0 with a second-round submission victory over UFC veteran Pete Spratt at MFC 15: Rags to Riches and now he has the opportunity to get within short range of a shot at the MFC’s 170-pound championship.

“It’s a great chance for me to get one step closer to the title belt that I’ve wanted since I started in this sport,” said Ford. “I made Pete Spratt tap out and he’s fought for more than nine years. I’ve been in mixed martial arts for nine months.

“I was born for this sport. My destiny is to be a champion. C.J. Fernandes is a wall standing in my way and just like Pete Spratt and everyone before him, I’m going to bust a hole in that wall and walk right through.”

Fernandes is an accomplished veteran with a 12-6-3 record who has fought a number of top rivals including former UFC champion Dave Menne, The Ultimate Fighter: Season 4 competitor Chris Lytle, and UFC veteran Yves Edwards. He’s found a new life in MMA by joining the H.I.T. Squad team anchored by legendary fighter and former UFC champion Matt Hughes.

“He has done everything we’ve asked him to do. His talent and his technique are at the top of the line,” said H.I.T. Squad trainer Marc Fiore. “His real expertise is striking but he’s an all-around fighter and very versatile. I’m very confident about what C.J. will be able to do in this fight.”

The Ford-Fernandes matchup is a co-feature on MFC 16: Anger Management which is also highlighted by a heavyweight showdown between international icon Gary “Big Daddy” Goodridge and Eric “Big E” Pele.

This will be Goodridge’s first fight on his home soil of Canada following an epic career with bouts in the UFC, Pride and K-1. A longtime pro, Pele is perhaps best-known for his featured role on the A&E reality show Inked.