In addition to the already touted key matchup in the lightweight division - the hotly anticipated rematch between Brazilian jiu-jitsu sensation Jonatas Novaes and young Canadian star Kurt Southern - two more fights have been finalized including a second expected thriller in the lightweight ranks.
Newcomer Alejandro Garcia, who just signed a multi-fight deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship, will take on fan favorite Curtis Demarce.
Garcia (14-5) makes his organizational debut riding a streak that has seen him win eight of his last nine fights. The Yuma, Arizona, product has finished his foes in nine of his 14 victories including seven wins coming inside the opening round.
Demarce (13-10) is well-known to MFC fans for his epic three-round wars against both Marcus Davis and Richie Whitson. The Brandon, Manitoba, native has not only shown his courageous side in those fights, but has does it again by returning to mixed martial arts following a life-threatening car accident. Demarce's biggest career victory to date came at MFC 26 when he secured a second-round tapout of Tyson Steele via inverted triangle choke.
The entire main card gets under way live on AXS TV Fights at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT on Friday, October 4 live from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta (check local listings for channel designation).
Adding more intrigue to the Novaes-Southern II battle, the winner has been guaranteed a shot at the MFC lightweight title.
"The first battle between these two fighters was a classic," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "Southern was all over Novaes for two rounds and totally dominating, and then being a slick submission artist, Novaes pulls out the stunning, come-from-behind victory in Round 3.
"Everyone wanted to see them go at it again, and clearly the winner will be well-deserving a title shot."
Novaes (11-4) boasts eight submission victories on his career resume, including his tapout of Southern at the 1:06 mark of the third round at MFC 36. A native of Conceicao da Barra, Brazil, Novaes now fights out of Chicago, Illinois, and has impressive list of international successes in jiu-jitsu competitions. The 32-year-old is a 12-time IBJJF champion, and captured both the the World and Pan-American Nogi championships in 2011.
Southern (12-4) is an accomplished wrestler out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but has adeptly added striking and jiu-jitsu to his arsenal. Southern, who has won four of his last five outings, picked up his seventh career submission victory at MFC 37, tapping out former title challenger Mukai Maromo with a North-South choke just 2:54 into their matchup.
The AXS TV Fights broadcast will open up with a terrific battle in the MFC's middleweight division as hot prospect Teddy Ash (3-0) takes on rugged veteran Jared McComb (5-2-1).
Ash, who fights out of Fort McMurray, Alberta, has finished all three of his opponents with two of those coming inside the opening round. McComb, an Edmonton, Alberta, native, is coming off a first-round victory at MFC 37.
MFC 38: Behind Enemy Lines - Main Card
Anthony Hamilton vs. Smealinho Rama, MFC heavyweight title
Jason South vs. Sam Alvey, MFC middleweight title
Tito Jones vs. Anthony Birchak, MFC bantamweight title
Jonatas Novaes vs. Kurt Southern, lightweight
Alejandro Garcia vs. Curtis Demarce, lightweight
Teddy Ash vs. Jared McComb, middleweight
Tickets for MFC 38: Behind Enemy Lines are available at www.ticketmaster.ca and by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.
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