Maximum Fighting Championships live coverage from Edmonton w/Lashley

Maximum Fighting Championships live coverage from Edmonton w/Lashley,

Welcome to our live coverage of the Maximum Fighting Championships from Edmonton's River Cree Casino.

Mike Cook wore a mask at the weigh-ins, which apparently did not amuse Mr. Lashley.



Light heavyweights: Marvin Eastman vs. Aron Lofton opens the show.

First round uneventful. Lofton worked from the top for a guillotine and the bottom for a Kimura. Eastman did some punching on the ground and got a high slam with 25 seconds left. I'd give it very close 10-9 to Lofton.

Eastman got a takedown and threw hard elbows on the ground, cutting Lofton's left eye. Lofton's head was outside the ropes to he was kind of trapped, and couldn't defend the elbows and forearms until ref John McCarthy stopped the fight early in the round. Time was :59.

Lofton had a nasty cut under the left eye near the cheekbone.

Light heavyweights: Mychal Clark vs. Ryan Jimmo

First round was slow, particularly since Jimmo has seven first round finishes. Jimmo had two takedowns. Clark reversed one of them, but Jimmo reversed back and got a few shots in late. Jimmo 10-9.

Another slow round. Jimmo mostly controlled on the ground. There was a nice scramble. But nobody had anyone in trouble. 20-18 Jimmo

Jimmo got two more takedowns and controlled things the entire round. He did some punching on the ground but dull fight overall. I've got 30-27 Jimmo.

Straight 30-27 scores for Jimmo. Not the most difficult fight in history to call.

They announced Jason MacDonald, who was just cut by the UFC, is coming in and looking to get the middleweight title.

Lightweights: Andrew Buckland from Calgary vs. John Alessio

Alessio came out to Tom Sawyer by "Rush" which was a big deal when Kerry Von Erich used it as his entrance music in 1982.

Alessio hurt Buckland with a punch, went to the ground and controlled him before getting the choke at 2:53. This promotion plays the guy's music after a win like in pro wrestling. Luckily the winners so far have picked good music. Buckland has an egg-sized hematoma under his left eye. The eye was probably going to close if the fight went any time.

Light heavyweights: David Heath vs. Travis Galbraith

In continuing the theme of using very old pro wrestling entrance music, Heath came out to RVD's entrance music from the ECW era.

Probably the best round so far. All standing. Heath connected more with punches but Galbraith scored with a nice high kick. Good flurry at the end including a strong punch by Heath. 10-9 Heath

Good second round, particularly a good comeback by Galbraith after Heath had hurt him. Again all standing. Edge this time to Galbraith so I've got it 19-19 going into the third.

It slowed late in the round. Close round and nobody really took over at the end. Galbraith kneed Heath in the groin and also did an accidental eye poke. Heath complained to the ref a couple of times. I'd go slightly in favor of Heath 29-28 but this could go either way and Galbraith is the home town fighter, being from Edmonton.

29-28 Galbraith 29-28 Heath 29-28 Galbraith. Heath at first was about to walk out, but remembered and shook Galbraith's hand. Not my choice but I can't call something that close a bad decision.

Heavyweights: Bobby Lashley vs. Mike Cook

Lashley came in at 249. Cook is 234. Cook said Lashley will shit in his pants when he gets hit. Cook came out doing the Hogan ear cup and a Rey Mysterio mask. Looks kind of weird a 6-3 with a Mysterio mask. Cook is a 6-1 underdog. They said he already has a victory over former WWE fighter Daniel Puder. Actually, I was at that match and Cook lost via choke, and that was with Cook biting Puder's fingers when he tried the choke. Cook is from Frank Shamrock's camp. Now they are saying Lashley is a 10-1 favorite.

Lashley is a lot smaller than you'd think. His head is actually in proportion to his body. Cook is listed at 6-2, Lashley was slightly shorter. Cook refused to touch gloves.

Lashley jumped in and went for a guillotine and it's over. Boy did he make Cook look bad. Time was 24 seconds.

Emanuel Newton vs. Trevor Prangley for the MFC light heavyweight title headlines the show

Mostly a takedown battle standing. Newton got three takedowns to one for Prangley. Both would get up right after the takedowns. Nobody landed strong shots. Prangley looked like he was moving real slow late in the round and this is a five-rounder. 10-9 Newton.

Good round. Prangley connected with several body shots. Newton got a takedown but Prangley got up with little damage. Prangley back with more body shots and got a takedown midway through the round. Prangley scored with good ground and pound. But Prangley had his hands on his hips at the end of the round looking gassed. Prangley's round making it 19-19.

Close round, all standing but Prangley took a big lead. Newton was docked a point for a knee to the groin and John McCarthy deducted without a warning. Good trading of blows back-and-forth but Prangley's striking was crisper and he came on strong in the last minute. 29-27 Prangley

Another close round. Both looked tired and it was slow paced. The best blow was Prangley's with a knee as Newton was getting up from a takedown. This one could go either way. I'd almost go even. Newton came on in the final seconds but I go Prangley now 39-36. The announcers are calling it like it's even going into the fifth but I don't see it.

Slow round but Prangley controlled the round as almost every good blow that landed came from Prangley. Newton was bleeding from the bridge of the nose. Prangley did a kick to the groin and John McCarthy stopped it and didn't call for a penalty point. Prangley threw a kick to the jaw that put Newton down and hurt Prangley's foot or ankle, as he was limping, right as time expired. Definitely Prangley's round so I've got it 49-45 and a title change.

Final scores: 48-46. 49-46, 49-46 for Prangley. Newton was furious but it was kind of obvious.