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| Victor Valimaki to the UFC |
| MMA News Written by MMARR | |
| Saturday, 28 October 2006 | |
 He became a father for the second time and then less than a week later, "The Matrix" captured the MFC Light Heavyweight crown when he manhandled Jason Day at MFC 10 - Unfinished Business. Only three weeks later, Valimaki went to Vancouver and pounded out a unanimous decision win over Lion’s Den fighter Vernon White. And today Valimaki got "The Call." On Dec. 13 in San Diego, Valimaki will make his debut in the UFC when he takes on undefeated American David Heath at Ultimate Fight Night 8. "It’s kind of surprisiong," said Valimaki. "I knew the call would come, but maybe not yet. But now that is has come, I know I deserve to be there." Valimaki intends on following in the footsteps of Pro Camp Sports Management teammate Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald, who proved he was no stepping stone in dominating and submitting Ed Herman in his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 7. The 24-year-old Valimaki has every intention of making Alberta fighters 2-0 in the UFC. "Victor and Jason are truly the real Alberta Beef," declared Mark Pavelich, Owner and President of the Maximum Fighting Championship and Pro Camp Sports Management. "I knew when I first met Victor that he could go all the way. He’s ranked 18th in the world now and the fighters who are ahead of him better beware of The Matrix." "Other than Chuck Liddell, I didn’t matter to me who the UFC put me in to fight," added Valimaki. "The UFC thought Jay was going to be a stepping stone for Ed Herman and he proved them wrong. "And I see my fight going in a very similar fashion. Maybe not with that great of a submission, but I’m not coming to the UFC to lose. Besides I’m more marketable than this guy (Heath)." A five-fight winning streak paved the way for Valimaki to get to the UFC. In addition to his wins over Day and White, Valimaki started on his road to the UFC with a home-town win over UFC Hall of Famer Dan "The Beast" Severn. In hindsight, perhaps Valimaki’s long layoff following the Severn fight was a blessing in disguise. "I came back with a purpose," explained Valimaki. "I didn’t want to do things half-assed or just dabble in this sport. I had a purpose and that was to become the MFC champion and then go to the UFC. But even though both of those things have happened, it all seems very surreal to me." Both Victor "The Matrix" Valimaki and Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald will be on hand at the MFC’s next event - Unplugged 2 slated for Friday, Nov. 10 at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe in Edmonton, Alberta. Tickets for Unplugged 2 are available at Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone (780) 451-8000 and the MFC office (780) 995-9095. |
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