Southern (photo via Maximum Fighting.com)

By FCF Staff

The Maximum Fighting Championship has announced that its January 17th card in Edmonton, Alberta will feature Kurt Southern fighting Tom Gallicchio for the lightweight championship. In addition, MFC 39 will see Jason South drop from middleweight to welterweight and battle Gilbert Jamal Smith.

The promotion has announced that current lightweight champ Graham Spencer is vacating the belt, as he plans to return to the featherweight division. Spencer, who is currently sidelined due to injury, hasn’t fought since he won the title in February.

“The MFC is on a tremendous roll right now as MFC 36, 37 and 38 were spectacular, and my whole organization is determined to keep it going. In fact, we’re determined to make it even better,” MFC President / Owner Mark Pavelich was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “I want fighters who are going impress and who aren’t afraid of big fights.”

“I love the fact that Southern and Gallicchio will battle for the lightweight title, and I can’t wait to see Graham Spencer back in action and trying to become the first fighter in MFC history to win championships in two different weight classes. And I’m ecstatic to see the South-Smith showdown as we re-ignite the welterweight division.”

Southern (13-4) is coming off consecutive wins over Mukai Maromo and Jonatas Novaes, while MFC newcomer Gallicchio (17-8) submitted David Johnson in his last outing.

South (10-1) was stopped in the fifth round by Sam Alvey at MFC 38 in October, which was for the promotion’s middleweight title.

Smith (7-2), meanwhile, has scored wins over Jason Lee and Donnie Liles since he was defeated by Bubba McDaniels at the TUF 17 Finale in April.

MFC 39 will be hosted by the Northlands Expo Centre and will be broadcast live on AXS TV.