MMA News Forums - MFC's Mark Pavelich says he couldn't promote women's MMA

MFC's Mark Pavelich says he couldn't promote women's MMA

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When it comes to women's MMA, that means staying out of the game.

"I'm not really against it," he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (MMAjunkie.com Radio | MMAjunkie.com). "I just wouldn't do well at it. It's a shame because I think the hard work they're doing is phenomenal."

The promoter is generous in his praise for Strikeforce champ Ronda Rousey and ex-champ Sarah Kaufman, who hails from British Columbia, a province west of MFC's base of operations in Alberta. He simply isn't convinced there's enough of a talent pool.

"I'm a builder, and I build divisions," he said. "My fear would be that I would do female MMA and sign three or four girl fighters, and I'm going to have nothing after that."

After several years of expressing the same skepticism, the UFC is changing its tune on women's MMA. UFC President Dana White said he's open to promoting a fight with Rousey, and there is speculation that a superfight with ex-featherweight champ Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos could headline an event in 2013.

Long before Rousey became a phenomenon, the now-retired Erin Toughill pressured Pavelich to sign her to a contract, but he quickly realized that he couldn't envision a possible roadmap for the veteran's career with MFC.

Pavelich faced a similar problem when deciding whether to promote a bantamweight class in the MFC. Potentially competing for talent with the UFC, he decided his promotion wouldn't sign any fighters in the top-60, and he wouldn't move forward without eight "solid" fighters.

The division is expected to debut in 2013.

Meanwhile, he's signed a stable of fighters that are just under the casual fan's radar, or have hit the skids after their time in the big show. MFC 35 is set for Oct. 26 at the Mayfield Trade Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and features a headliner between middleweight Joe Henle, who fell short on "The Ultimate Fighter 11" but now enjoys a five-fight win streak, and Elvis Mutapcic, who in 25 seconds knocked out "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" winner Cezar Ferreira. The event airs in the U.S. on AXS TV and in Canada on TSN.

Pavelich, however, disputes the idea that his core business is signing ex-UFC fighters.

"I don't do that," he said. "I never think you should be rewarded to come to the MFC after you've been cut by the UFC. Me and my staff are always looking around for those Diego Limas and Elvis Mutapcics and Joseph Henles. Those are the guys that I look for. They're not household names, but you go in the world rankings, and you see they're ranked pretty high.

"Don't forget, I'm always playing in between the weeds, right?"

So far, Pavelich has managed to find a niche and keep his doors open longer than the majority of promoters. He said a front-row seat at an MFC show fetches $600, a price he's not so sure he could get in the U.S.

MFC's Mark Pavelich says he couldn't promote women's MMA | MMAjunkie.com