To put it mildly, Ryan Ford didn't take it kindly when he heard what Pete Spratt (Pictures) had said about him.
The 25-year-old Ford plans to do something about Spratt's words during the main event of Friday's Maximum Fighting Championship card at Edmonton's River Cree Resort and Casino. He will not only have a chance to do it in front of the Edmonton fans but also before an American audience watching live on HDNet, as Friday's MFC is the first in a broadcast deal with the premium TV channel.
Ford knew all about Spratt when the fight was offered to him, and he didn't hesitate to accept the matchup.
"Let's take it," he said eagerly. "It's time to step up the competition."
Despite the big difference in professional experience, Ford said that Spratt's 17-10 speaks for itself -- he can be beat.
"I'm in this to fight," Ford said, "and I don't even think he's going to be able to do anything with me."
Confident words from the young fighter, who feels his background and training will serve him well this weekend. The son of former Canadian boxing champion Al Ford, Ryan believes he has all of his bases covered.
He's been boxing since childhood and trains now with world-class boxers, including three-time Canadian Olympian Adam Trupish. Ford also trains with Pro-Camp teammate and current UFC fighter Jason MacDonald (Pictures).
"I'm surrounding myself with who I need to be successful, and everything's coming together," he said.
As for Spratt, his words have only served to motivate Ford, who remains undefeated through four fights.
"I see me winning by submitting him or by ground-and-pound," said the developing Canadian. "And it should be in the first round, so I can make him eat his words."
MacKay vs. Krysa Rematch Set
Halifax-based Extreme Cage Combat announced the lineup for its March 15 card, and the anticipated rematch between ECC lightweight champ Jason MacKay (Pictures) and Shaun Krysa (Pictures) is finally scheduled. Both sides had waited a year for the fight, ever since MacKay's controversial win in the first bout.
In the second round of their March 2007 match, MacKay illegally kicked a kneeling Krysa in the throat and chin. Krysa could not continue, and his camp expected MacKay to be disqualified. However, the rules of the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority deemed that since the fight was past the first round, the decision would go to the judges.
MacKay was awarded the victory, but neither side was particularly satisfied with how things turned out. Krysa's camp obviously felt that he was robbed of the title, while MacKay has had to weather the storm of controversy. On March 15 we should find out who is the better fighter once and for all.
One match that has seen surprisingly little attention so far is the return of Kyle Sandford. Sanford is a pioneer of mixed martial arts in the Maritimes, and this will be his first match after four injury-plagued years. He is a truly exceptional fighter who can win in all areas, and if he can remain healthy, he has the potential to become one of Canada's premier fighters.
Sandford told MM-Eh! that he feels great and that he's excited that his comeback is finally about to happen. He also said that although being injured was frustrating, he didn't lose enthusiasm for the sport he loves.
"It wasn't hard to keep positive and training because I love to do it," said Sandford, who was recently awarded his Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt from Renzo Gracie (Pictures). "It was frustrating if anything because after I got injured the sport has really blown up."
Sandford has fought all of his previous MMA bouts in the province of Quebec. "I'm very excited to have my first fight home in the Maritimes," he joked, "and it'll be really nice not to get booed in Halifax."
Full Card:
Jason MacKay (Pictures) vs. Shaun Krysa (Pictures)
Matt MacGrath (Pictures) vs. Travis Axeworthy
Ryan Jimmo (Pictures) vs. Ray Penny
Kyle Sandford vs. Rene Ayangma
Peter McGrath (Pictures) vs. Michael Large
Tannaya Hantleman vs. Jenna King
Adam MacDonald vs. TBA
Craig Skinner (Pictures) vs. Tim Skidmore (Pictures)
Jaret MacIntosh vs. TBA
Jason Rorison vs. Ryan Kenny
TBA vs. Rene Allain
Jeff Black vs. TBA
Thurston Shot
Revolution Fight Team's Tim Thurston (Pictures) was shot in the leg Saturday after the Honour Fighting Championships on the Musqueam Native reserve in Vancouver.
According to witnesses, Thurston was an innocent bystander who was in a crowd of people milling about the venue after the event.
The Province newspaper reported that Thurston received surgery at the Vancouver General Hospital for a fractured femur and is expected to make a full recovery. The newspaper also stated that police have made no arrests in connection with the shooting.
Canadian Event Calendar
Feb. 22: MFC 15 "Rags to Riches" - Edmonton
Feb. 23: UMC - Regina
Feb. 28: TKO 32 "Ultimatum" - Montreal
March 7: KOTC "Gold Rush" - Prince George
March 7: The Fight Club 2 - Feel The Pain - Edmonton
March 8: Warrior Xtreme Combat - Truro, NS
March 14: Xtreme MMA - Victoriaville - PQ
March 15: Extreme Cage Combat 7 - Halifax
March 29: HCF "Crow's Nest" - Gatineau, Quebec
April 4: KOTC "Brawl in the Mall 3" - Edmonton
April 11: UCW 11 - Winnipeg
April 12: Phoenix Fight Promotions II - Halifax
April 19: UFC 83 - Montreal
April 26: Iroquois Mixed Martial Arts Championship - Hagersville, Ontario
May 9: MFC 16 - Edmonton
July 26: Freedom Fight "Title Quest"