Jordan Mein has created a reputation as being one of the toughest men in Canada in his mixed martial arts career.
He displayed this fact one year ago in the main event of Pure Fighting Championship II when he took apart Red Deer’s Ryan Machan in a first round submission.
It made for an easy decision for promoter Jason MacDonald to bring him back to headline the main event against Andrew Buckland for PFC IV tonight at the Agri Centre.
“We’ve seen Jordan Mein as a main event here in PFC II and he put on an amazing fight so we’re excited to bring him back and match him up with a guy that we think is going to be a great fight for him,” said MacDonald. “It’s going to be a great fight, very exciting — that one is definitely not going the distance.
“They’re both very skilled on the ground and standing, and they’re both very aggressive and well rounded fighters. I expect we’re going to see a real exciting, high-paced fight.”
Mein (12-6-0) out of Lethbridge and Buckland (12-5-0) will be facing each other in a 185 pound fight.
The other big match will feature Red Deer’s George Belanger (3-2-0) against Victor Daychief (4-4-0) who is filling in on just five days notice.
But don’t let the short prep time for Daychief mislead you about his ability in the ring, said MacDonald, the fight should still pack a punch,
“He’s a tough veteran that has a lot of fights and has been around a long time. he’s one of those fighters that when you get in the ring with him you know is not going to be a short, easy night,” said MacDonald.
“He’s one of those guys that is very tough and hangs in there. I expect that one to be a tough, back-and-forth battle and a tough one for George.”
Belanger is a PFC vet having competed in all three previous events, beating Mike Bell in PFC 3.
Local talent has always played a big role in PFC and nothing has changed for the franchise’s fourth installment.
Tonight’s show will feature three Red Deer trained fighters including Jesse Fox (3-2-0) who will face Rob Ray in a 145-pound fight while Derek Clark 3-1-0) will take on Timmy Tamaki (8-18-0) of Lethbridge.
While there are fewer local fighters this time around than usual, MacDonald still expects big things out of them.
“Jesse Fox and Derek Clark have put on amazing fights in all three of our PFCs in the past, so I expect them to come out . . . and put on two exciting fights,” said MacDonald.
Other fights include Lloydminster’s Kelly Gervais (2-0-0) taking on Trevor Wright (4-0-0) in a 155-pound bout; Tyler Davis (2-1-0) will be taking on Owen Carr (1-2-0) at the 140-pound level; David Nippard (2-3-0) will battle Ryan Bringham (0-3-0) at 145 pounds; and Josh Smith (6-5-0) will take on Robert Curtis (1-2-0).
Coming back for a second time will be MMA legend Big John McCarthy who will referee the final few matches and then hang around for the after party and sign a few autographs and rub shoulders with local fight fans.
“We wanted to bring in someone people are excited to meet. We have a good relationship with John, he was here for our last show and he his wife were up he said it was the first time where he had seen people show up for six to eight hours and stay the whole time and have an absolutely fantastic time,” said MacDonald, noting the night actually starts with the VIP supper before the fights and then continues on with the after party. “John — who I consider the best referee in the business — is going to step in there and referee the final two fights.”
The format for PFC IV will be the same as at previous events where 75 VIP tables will surround the ring and 1,500 people will cram the grand stands outside the table section.
MacDonald, who is aided in putting on PFC by Jeff Marchand and the Oil Association, says they have found a formula that works. Their goal isn’t to outgrow britches, but to put on the best show they can.
“Our expectation is for it not to grow too big. We’re trying very hard to maintain what we’ve got,” said MacDonald. “In an economy that’s struggling and people don’t have as much money to go and seek out entertainment, so we’re trying to keep the event grass roots and make it an event for local people to come out and enjoy. The only thing that has changed is we try to make the show run a little smoother and look a little better for the people that are paying the money and buying the tickets.
“The one thing I want to maintain and that I’m very proud of is before every show I walk around and I got to the furthest seat away from the ring and I sit in it and I want to make sure everyone that spends $45 to buy a general admission ticket to watch the fight is able to see really well and have a good time.”
Tickets are still available for the show, which gets underway at 7 p.m., at Ticketmaster, Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson and Pure Fitness, as well as at the door.
PFC has always made a donation out of the night’s proceeds to charity and tonight will be no different with Ronald McDonald House being the big benefactor this time around.
jaldrich@reddeeradvocagte.com