By FCF Staff

The Maximum Fighting Championship has had to make some late changes to its May 9th card in Edmonton, Alberta, as bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak has been forced to withdraw.

Due to a “lower-body injury” the champ has incurred, scheduled opponent Kevin Croom will now take on Jesse Brock. The bout will serve as a three round, title shot eliminator.

Brock (16-8) is coming off a decision loss to veteran Caol Uno while competing for Vale Tudo Japan in February. The former Bellator competitor is 3-2 in his last 5 contests.

Croom (14-4) earned a decision win over Bryan Goldsby at Titan FC 26 in his last outing. The bantamweight, who will also be making his MFC debut, has won nine straight.

The MFC has also announced that UFC vet Victor Valimaki (17-8) will take on Bill Widler at the May 9th event. Valimaki had been scheduled to fight Sean O’Connell, who was knocked out by Ryan Jimmo at the TUF Nations Finale earlier this month.

MFC 40 will be hosted by Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre and the main card will be broadcast on AXS TV.