Sergio Pettis will make his pro MMA debut on September 10th.

Famed Mixed Martial Arts trainer and world champion kickboxer Duke Roufus will be heading to Winnipeg on Saturday, September 10th for CFC 7.  Roufus has trained such UFC fighters as Alan Belcher, Ben Rothwell, Pat Barry, Anthony Pettis, and Erik Koch and many more.  Duke will be bringing two of his MMA protégés with him to Winnipeg – the Pettis brothers, Anthony and Sergio.

Everyone knows Anthony Pettis.  ”Showtime” threw the kick heard round the world when he jumped off the cage and landed a head kick that sealed his WEC championship victory over Benson Henderson.  At only 24, the older Pettis brother is 13-2 in his career and working his way towards a UFC title.

Duke and Showtime will be holding a seminar at the Canadian Fighting Center for CFC gym members on Thursday, September 8th between 7 and 9 pm. Roufus and his UFC star will be going over some of the creative techniques that he has refined in his Roufusport gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I can do the Showtime kick.  I am always trying little variations and nuances of techniques,” says Roufus. “We have sparring days every Saturday where  everyone has fun and tries new stuff just like I did on the outdoor basketball court when I was young.  We try to embrace the Spartan mentality.  We want to be creative Spartans.  Creative Spartans will beat tough Spartans.”

That Spartan mentality will be shown to CFC students on September 8th as Roufus and the UFC’s Anthony Pettis will instruct participants on some of their hybrid MMA/Kickboxing techniques.  Expect a few cool submissions to be shown by Anthony Pettis at the seminar as well.

After the seminar, Roufus will start preparing the younger Pettis brother for his first professional MMA fight. Sergio, who is now 18 years old, will be taking on Kyle Vivian on September 10th at CFC 7.

Unlike Anthony, who Roufus calls “intelligently ferocious”, Sergio is “methodical like a computer.”   Duke compares Sergio to Rory MacDonald, a Canadian who is frequently called a new breed of fighter.  ”Sergio is precision-like with his strikes and at 18 is a mature fighter, a calculated fighter.  He is a good high school wrestler, a good Muay Thai fighter, and good at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

But surely there is a lot pressure on Sergio, who lives in the shadow of his WEC champion brother Anthony?  Can he live up to the hype?  This is something Duke has experienced as Duke is the younger brother of world champion kickboxer Rick Roufus.  Duke feels Sergio is mature enough to handle the pressure and states, “a fighter could not have a better older brother” than Anthony.  Not only can do they always have a practise partner but Anthony “has to be there for his brother.”  In fact, Anthony had to cancel some lucrative sponsor engagements because he “would not miss (Sergio’s debut) for the world,” says Roufus.

Fans can pick up tickets to see Sergio Pettis’ debut at http://canadianfighting.com/tickets.  VIP table seats are scarce but general admission tickets for $25 are still available.  Roufus knows the fans will be coming out to watch in big numbers.

“The Canadian market is huge and are great supporters of MMA.  It is great exposure for a fighter like Sergio.  Per capita the fan base is much bigger in a place like Winnipeg.”

It will be incredible to be at the Winnipeg Convention Centre to see the launching of Sergio Pettis’ career on September 10th at CFC 7.  Perhaps it will be the beginning of another Pettis’ run for a UFC title.

Chris Stranger (photo by Jason Bouwmeester)

Who is the best 170 lb Mixed Martial Artist from Manitoba? That question will be answered on Saturday, September 10th at CFC 7 when Chris Stranger faces Lindsey Hawkes.

Many feel that this will be a bout that pits the more technical fighter in Hawkes against Stranger’s strength and incredible heart.

Hawkes is coming off a big win at CFC 6 where he impressively beat the previously undefeated Jesse Ronson to improve his record to 2-1 in the Canadian Fighting Championship. A relative newcomer to the Welterweight division, Hawkes trains out of the Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. Many argue that Hawkes’ striking technique and ability on the mat will be his advantage on September 10th.

“Its going to be an all out war,” states Hawkes, whose only CFC loss is to current UFC fighter John Makdessi. “This fight is going to hurt a lot for the both of us. It is going to be fifteen minutes of pure hell.”

Stranger, a native of Peguis who now resides in Winnipeg, is no stranger to wars. Few will forget his grueling three round battle with Chase Degenhardt at CFC 4. Bloodied and broken after the first round with Degenhardt, Stranger showed incredible toughness and rebounded to win the second round of his fight with Degenhardt before losing a decision.

“Fans will get their money’s worth,” says Stranger, who is also 2-1 in the Canadian Fighting Championship. “The fight will go the distance. I will not give up. I have gone to hell and back with Chase Degenhardt and not given up. I am going to be in (Hawkes’) face all night. What can he do to me? I have fought with a broken hand, broken ribs so pain does not bother me. I am not scared of anyone. I am going to turn it into a brawl.”

Stranger, who has also fought at Middleweight in the CFC, should have the size and strength advantage. Hawkes, who has been a CFC Lightweight in the past, should have quickness on his side.

Lindsey Hawkes (photo by Jason Bouwmeester)

Both fighters maintain they are stronger than ever:

“This has been my best camp in a long time,” states Hawkes. “I am bigger, stronger, and injury free!”

“Hawkes can’t match my strength,” claims Stranger. “Elbows are allowed now so that is better for me with my ground and pound.”

Fans can witness this highly anticipated matchup between Chris Stranger and Lindsey Hawkes by purchasing tickets at http://canadianfighting.com/tickets. It has Fight of the Night written all over it. Who will win? Neither fighter would even predict victory.

“I will give it my best shot. I am not going to make any excuses and I hope he doesn’t,” says Stranger. “I will bring my best for him and I hope he brings his best. I want the best Lindsey.”

The best is what fans can expect!

Train with Legendary Fighter/Coach Duke Roufus and UFC Superstar/WEC Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis at CFC Gym Thursday September 8,2011 7pm-9pm.

Limited space – reserve your spot now!

On Saturday, September 10th, CFC 7 will have a full rules Muay Thai main event featuring Winnipeg’s own ’Dangerous’ Dave Zuniga facing Detroit’s Cyrus Washington.

Fans will remember Zuniga’s fights from CFC 1 and CFC 2 where he faced future UFCer Mark Holst and Alex Ricci, respectively.  Both were fantastic five round contests that had the crowd standing on their feet.

Zuniga, who has a professional Kickboxing and Muay Thai record of 30-8, is a veteran of over 100 fights when you include his amateur contests.  Despite the tremendous amount of bouts on Dave’s record, Winnipeg has not seen him in action in well over two years.  Instead, Zuniga has been sharpening up his Muay Thai game during visits to Thailand over the past couple of years and taking the occasional fight there.  Winnipeg fight fans will be lucky to have a chance to watch Winnipeg’s preeminent martial artists in action in the main event on September 10th.

“It has been a long time since I have fought in my hometown, so I am excited,” Dave comments on his Manitoba return to the ring. “Being in the main event spot does not do anything for me, …winning is the only goal I have when I fight.  I think what makes me a main event fighter is that I will do whatever it takes to win a fight. I fight my heart out if I have too.”

This main event will be the first full Muay Thai rules fight ever sanctioned in Winnipeg.  Zuniga’s previous bouts here have been Kickboxing with no elbows allowed, so  ’Dangerous’ is very happy to be able to fight Muay Thai.

“Muay Thai is the sport I love and I am very pleased to see not only Muay Thai returning to Winnipeg, but having the first full Muay Thai rules fight ever in Winnipeg. To me, it’s not real Muay Thai unless there are elbows allowed. Elbows change everything… My game is more suited for full rules fights…Fights become more technical, because one good elbow can cause a nasty cut and a fight.”

Zuniga trains at the CFC gym while in Winnipeg and has been involved with Kickboxing for over 17 years.  Will he be ready to face the very tough Cyrus Washington at CFC 7?  Washington is a fighter who, like Dave, has a boatload of experience and has quick hands and dynamic attacks.  While Zuniga realizes Washington will be a stiff test, it is a test Dave relishes,

“I’ve watched tape on Cyrus long before this fight came about. He is a really good fighter and has a wealth of experience. I always tell my promoter to get me the toughest fights he can find, because if I am not fighting the best we can find, then I may as well retire.  I always fight to win. Cyrus is an exciting fighter, so it looks to be an exciting fight to watch.”

One thing Zuniga will have to watch out for is his slow starts.  While Dave has repeatedly thrilled Winnipeg audiences with his stunning comebacks in late rounds, Washington could end things early if Zuniga has a lethargic start.  ”Dangerous” will need to light the fireworks early in the match,

“I know with a fighter like Cyrus that I cannot give up any rounds, unless I score a knockdown or a KO.  Hopefully, I can get comfortable enough to be aggressive early into the fight.”

Fans can witness Dave’s exciting return to the Winnipeg ring firsthand on Saturday, September 10th.  Fifth row VIP table seats are available for as little as $40.  Call 772-2599 to reserve your table seats. General admission seats are available at Ticketmaster for $25.

The Canadian Fighting Championship will return on September 10, 2011 with the first Saturday show in Winnipeg since 2007. After six successful shows, the Canadian Fighting Championship will be bringing back the ring for a MMA and Muay Thai night of fights for CFC 7.

“Winnipeg has always been a hot spot in Canada for Muay Thai Kickboxing and it has almost a cult following here, stated CFC President Giuseppe DeNatale. “I am very excited to bring professional Kickboxing back to Winnipeg and this will be the biggest show to ever hit this city. The MMA, Kickboxing, and martial arts fans in Winnipeg will be very happy because we will showcase it all on Saturday Sept 10.”

Headlining the card will be “Dangerous” Dave Zuniga. The Muay Thai specialist from the Canadian Fighting Center is always a fan favorite.

“Zuniga has fought over 100 times and it will be Zuniga’s third fight for the CFC,” mentioned DeNatale. “The fans love his aggressive style and we are pleased to have him headlining.”

Don’t forget MMA! Fans can expect up to 15 fights at CFC 7 including the usual MMA favorites like Eric Perez, who headlined CFC 6 and has won all five times he has appeared on a CFC card. Other MMA fighters expected to be on the card include Chris Stranger, Lindsey Hawkes, Mark Durant, Dwight Sutherland, and Travis Gervais.

VIP table tickets for the first Saturday night CFC fight card at the Winnipeg Convention Centre are on sale by calling 772-2599.