Anthony Birchak to Defend Bantamweight Title Against Kevin Croom at MFC 40

Anthony Birchak (top) claimed his MFC title in October. | Jacob Bos/Sherdog.com

Titled “Crowned Kings,” the event takes place May 9 at Shaw Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and will feature three title fights, including a lightweight championship clash between Tom Gallicchio and Kurt Southern. The evening’s main card airs live on AXS TV and will also see Sam Alvey put his middleweight belt on the line against a to-be-named opponent.

Birchak captured the vacant MFC bantamweight crown in his most recent outing, submitting Tito Jones this past October at MFC 38. The 12-fight pro has won his last five fights and owns nine of his 11 career victories by stoppage, picking up six submissions and three knockouts in more than four years of competition.

A veteran of 17 pro bouts, Croom has not lost since October 2012. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” rides an eight-fight winning streak into his MFC debut after posting wins in Bellator MMA, Titan Fighting Championship and Resurrection Fighting Alliance. Croom last competed on Dec. 19, when he scored a first-round stoppage under the Alash Pride banner in Kazakhstan.