By FCF Staff
The Maximum Fighting Championship has announced that lightweight champion Antonio McKee has been forced to withdraw from his February 25th title defence against fellow vet Drew Fickett, due to a knee injury. Stepping in on just days notice is UFC veteran Matt Veach, who will face Fickett in a non-title, 160lb. catch-weight bout.
“I’m disappointed not to be facing McKee for the title but it’s only a matter of time until I get my hands on the MFC lightweight belt,” said Fickett in a press release from the promotion.
“It’s truly a sign of what some fighters are made out of,” added MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. “Drew Fickett didn’t hesitate one bit to accept the change in opponent, and Matt Veach showed the amount of courage he’s got in taking the fight with Fickett on short notice.”
Veach (15-2) has won four straight bouts since exiting from the UFC last year. Most recently the HIT Squad fighter worked his way to a split decision victory over Donovan Winters on January 29th, while competing under the Capital City Cage Wars banner. This Friday’s bout will mark Veach’s MFC return, as in May, 2008, he earned a unanimous decision over Matt MacGrath at the promotion’s sixteenth event.
Fickett (40-13) hasn’t competed since September 10th, when he defeated Charles Bennett, Dennis Bermudez, and Carlo Prater to win Shine’s lightweight grand-prix. The UFC vet has won four fights in a row after dropping five straight in 2009.
MFC 28 will be hosted by the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta, and will also feature a bout between Ryan Jimmo and Dwayne Lewis to determine the promotion’s light-heavyweight championship. The February 25th card will be broadcast live on HDNet.
