Elvis Mutapcic pounding Jacen Flynn at MFC 34 (photo via Maximum Fighting)

Facing TUF Vet Joseph Henle for MFC Belt Oct. 26th

By Kelsey Mowatt

As many veteran fighters will likely tell you, having success on the regional circuit of MMA does not always result in a call-up to a bigger show. Case in point is Elvis “The King” Mutapcic, who despite having scored wins over Strikeforce vet Zak Cummings and recent TUF Brasil winner Cezar Ferreira, continued to fly under the radar of many promotions and fans.

More recently, however, Mutapcic has worked his way into a high profile spot via the Maximum Fighting Championship and their broadcasting partner AXS TV. After scoring a victory over Jacen Flynn at MFC 34 in August, Mutapcic has been awarded an October 26th, title fight with Joseph “Leonidas” Henle. The main event bout will determine who is the MFC middleweight champ.

“I was to that point in my career where the bigger organizations didn’t want to sign us, and we were to the point where the level I was fighting at, not too many guys wanted to take a fight against me,” said the 26 year-old Mutapcic. “ Not just for myself, but for many other fighters, it’s important for companies like the MFC to be out there.”

The five round fight will go down in Edmonton, Alberta, at the city’s Mayfield Trade Centre.

“It means quite a bit, to be a new comer with the company, and off the bat get a title shot,” Mutapcic furthered. “I’ll get a lot of recognition I believe and it’s going to do a lot for my career.”

Adding more attention and importance to the bout is the fact that Mutapcic will take on another “Ultimate Fighter” veteran in Henle. The 29 year-old, California middleweight earned his title fight shot by stopping noted grappler Luke Harris at MFC 34

“Oh of course,” said Mutapcic, while discussing whether Henle’s run on TUF 11 makes the fight even more pivotal. “Not only is Joseph’s name out there but he’s a tough guy. People who follow the sport know he’s a well rounded guy and that he’s good. Beating someone like him would help anybody and their career.”

Henle, who was eliminated from the TUF 11 competition by Seth Baczynski, has gone 8-0-1 in official pro fights to date.

“I’m pretty certain that I’m a better striker,” said the Bosnian born fighter, when asked to compare his skillset to that of Henle’s. “I have a little more experience; I’ve been in a few wars, so I’m pretty comfortable and confident in my abilities. I know what I’m capable; I know I’ve been tested, so I’m ready to test him.”

While Henle impressed in his MFC debut, by stopping the aforementioned Harris, so did Mutapcic. After flooring Flynn with a knee shortly into round one, Mutapcic finished the deal with a flurry of hard punches from above.

“I landed a clean shot; I was really excited to get it over quickly like that,” Mutapcic said while recalling the victory over Flynn. “I thought it was going to be more of a war, going back-and-forth, but I’m sure most guys don’t complain when you get to home early; go home without black eyes and go out to the after party without looking like someone beat you up.”

When Full Contact Fighter spoke with Henle recently, the middleweight predicted that neither he or Mutapcic would get “out of the fourth round.”

“It could go either or,” said Mutapcic, when asked if he’s predicting a quick bout or a drawn out war on October 26th. “Either way, it’s going to be whoever makes a mistake first, but in my opinion it’s going to be a pretty long, exciting fight.”