Maximum Fighting Championship announces lineup update for MFC 40

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Maximum Fighting Championship has sourced out a strong replacement to fill an injury void that has caused a change to the MFC 40: Crowned Kings lineup.

Due to a significant lower-body injury suffered in training, reigning MFC bantamweight champ Anthony Birchak is unable to fight on Friday, May 9 on the AXS TV Fights card emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. With Birchak out, "The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly" Kevin Croom (14-4) will now battle Jesse Brock (16-8) in a three-round title eliminator. Brock has been signed to a multi-fight contract.

"While other organizations would panic, canceling fights or moving their show date completely, the Maximum Fighting Championship staff just works hard like always and fixes things in the best way possible," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

"In a strange turn of events, it was Jesse Brock who'd been calling out Anthony Birchak for quite some time. Now Brock will get a chance to be the next in line to challenge for Birchak's belt."

Brock, who fights out of Boise, Idaho, has finished 10 of his opponents with three knockouts and seven submissions, and he has squared off against a handful of notable opponents including Tyson Nam, Caol Uno, Demetrius Johnson, and Donald Cerrone.

Valimaki to face Widler

Former MFC light-heavyweight champion Victor Valimaki returns to the organization at MFC 40 and now has new opponent in hard-hitting foe Bill Widler, who is a training partner of reigning MFC middleweight champ Sam Alvey.

Widler (8-5) boasts six knockouts on his career resume and has earned wins in three of his last four outings. The Temecula, California, product most notably faced MFC heavyweight champion Anthony Hamilton back in December 2012.

Valimaki (17-8) has mustered seven- and five-fight winning streaks during his career, and touts six wins by both knockout and submission.

Facebook prelims set for MFC 40

The preliminary bouts for MFC 40: Crowned Kings has been with the three-fight lineup airing live on the Maximum Fighting Championship's Facebook page.

Topping the undercard is a matchup in the bantamweight ranks as fan favorite Corey Gower meets Jon Barnard. In his organizational debut, Gower came out on top of a decision verdict against Daniel Mark at MFC 38. Barnard invades Gower's hometown as he makes the journey in from Honolulu, Hawaii.

Also on the prelim roster, Cody Moorman meets Levon Kinley in a lightweight tilt, and in a bantamweight bout, Justin Lavertu takes on Mike Hay.

Tickets for MFC 40 are available now via www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024.