Pavelich: Championship rings, ‘monster’ entranceway debut tonight at MFC 40

MFC President Mark Pavelich is determined to continuously improve his product for consumers – and they’ll get a look at it tonight at MFC 40.

From its first event back in March 2001, Pavelich has done his best to ensure the MFC is one of the top organizations not just in Canada, but also across the entire globe.

Like any MMA promotion, MFC has had its peaks and valleys since its inception, and whether or not you’re a fan of the product, there’s no denying the longevity of the family-run organization has surpassed countless rivals.

That alone is something Pavelich is proud of. And even with other organizations blowing up and signing broadcast or partnership agreements with major companies, he vows to build on the same product MFC fans have come to know and love.

“We’re the only store that’s still left that’s mom and pop,” Pavelich today told MMAjunkie Radio. “All of the rest have gone out of business. Zuffa owns the UFC, Viacom owns Bellator, and nobody knows who owns World Series of Fighting. We’re the only mom and pop store still on the street.

“No one can get rid of us, and that’s what inspires me all the time. We’re in the game with all these guys, and we’re by far funded the least, but it’s not that far off from the rest of them when you look at budgets and all those other things. We find ways to leverage, we find ways to get sponsors to help us – whatever we can do to make the product look better each time, that’s what we do.”

With MFC 40 airing tonight on AXS TV from Edmonton’s Shaw Convention Centre, the MFC boss promises to continue the evolution of his product.

The promotion will introduce two new major features at the event, the first of which should dramatically enhance fighter entrances for both the viewers in attendance and those watching at home.

“We have our new entranceway that arrived,” Pavelich said. “It’s 40 feet high by 40 feet wide. It’s a monstrosity. We call it the monster. That’s our new entranceway for tonight. We’ve also got a whole bunch of new production that’s being put into the show.”

The massive entranceway won’t be the only new feature at MFC 40. With two championship bouts scheduled for the card, the winners of those fights will not only receive title belts, but they will also receive a custom MFC championship ring to signify their accomplishment.

“Once they win the championship, they’ll all receive a ring,” Pavelich said. “Like a Super Bowl. They’ll have the belt and the ring. You can’t walk around 24/7 with a belt on, right? Unless you’re Tito [Ortiz] like he used to do all the time. So these guys are going to walk around with rings now.”

Even as someone who has spent more than a decade in MMA circles and has produced more than three dozen shows, Pavelich still gets hit with nervous energy before every event begins.

With all the changes for this show in particular, Pavelich can barely contain his excitement and encourages everyone to tune into MFC 40 on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET.

“I’m elated,” Pavelich said. “I’m so excited for tonight’s show. I want everyone to tune in because I want you to talk about it tomorrow when you’re massively hung over.”

For the latest on MFC 40, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.