‘Smilin’ Sam set for title shot against Mutapcic

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Maximum Fighting Championship middleweight title-holder Elvis Mutapcic will make the first defense of his belt at MFC 36: Reality Check when he takes on newly signed “Smilin” Sam Alvey.

The Mutapcic-Alvey showdown will be the co-main event alongside the previously announced battle for the vacant MFC lightweight title fight that has “The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo squaring off against Graham Spencer. Both fights will top the MFC 36 lineup airing live on AXS TV Fights emanating from the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, February 15.

Alvey (19-4, 1 NC), who agreed to a multi-fight deal with the MFC, is expecting that his clash with Mutapcic (12-2) will feature plenty of fireworks. The 26-year-old, who trains in Murrieta, California, has notched 11 wins by way of knockout and added a pair of victories by submission, while Mutapcic has finished 11 of his 12 opponents inside the distance. Mutapcic (Twitter: @ElvisMutapcic) earned the fifth knockout of his career and captured the MFC’s 185-pound division crown when he stopped Joseph Henle at MFC 35.

“I think anyone who knows me and knows Elvis knows that this fight is going to end in a knockout,” said Alvey, a former TUF reality show competitor. “We’re both good strikers and we’re going to settle things striking.

“The only difference is that Elvis thinks his striking is better than mine, but I know my striking is better than his.”

Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) has won four of his last five outings, highlighted by back-to-back first-round knockouts. His career is punctuated by a pair of four-fight winning streaks, and an impressive seven-fight run that included wins over Karl Amoussou and Jason Guida.

The Wisconsin product began his mixed martial arts career five years ago following a stint at Div. III Lakeland College where he suited up for the football and wrestling teams. A former standout trumpet player, some Alvey’s free time away from training is taken up with planning his upcoming wedding to “America’s Next Top Model” winner McKey Sullivan. The couple will be married on January 19, and then Sullivan will trade in her gown for a t-shirt as Alvey’s chief cornerman.

A belated wedding present for Alvey would be leaving MFC 36 with the Maximum Fighting Championship’s middleweight belt.

“I’m incredibly excited to be coming to the MFC, and it’s amazing to be getting a shot at the title,” said Alvey. “When I started training five years ago, I got addicted and it’s become my life.

“My nickname is ‘Smilin’ because I love being in this sport. Nothing makes me happier than standing in the ring across from a worthy opponent … and Elvis is definitely a worthy opponent.”

MFC 36: Reality Check – Fights confirmed to date

Graham Spencer vs. Mukai Maromo – MFC lightweight title

Sam Alvey vs. Elvis Mutapcic – MFC middleweight title

Smealinho Rama vs. Mike Hackert – heavyweight

Jason Zentgraf vs. Luke Harris – middleweight

Jacen Flynn vs. Jay Silva – middleweight