Nelson set for showdown with Spencer

Hawaiian star from Penn camp eager to make featherweight debut at MFC 35

The Maximum Fighting Championship has officially set the matchup that will launch its new featherweight division.

Hawaiian sensation and BJ Penn training partner “Sugar” Shane Nelson will take on top Canadian prospect Graham Spencer at MFC 35: Explosive Encounter – a bout that will be featured on the AXS TV main card emanating live from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, Oct. 25. The Spencer-Nelson fight joins a card topped by a co-main event pitting Elvis “The King” Mutapcic against Joseph “Leonidas” Henle for the MFC world middleweight title.

Nelson (15-6) has signed a multi-fight deal with the MFC, and is ecstatic about making his debut in the 145-pound division after a successful run at lightweight that included a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter – Season 8: Nogueira vs. Mir.”

“I intend on making a statement. I’m not taking Graham lightly but I’m not coming to lose,” said Nelson, who trains out of Hilo, Hawaii.

“I’ve been wanting to come to the MFC for a while and now I’m very glad to get pen to paper and get the deal done.”

Nelson has won three of his last four outings and boasts a career-best eight-fight winning streak highlighted by his biggest wins to date. The 27-year-old southpaw scored a split-decision win over George Roop in late 2008 and followed that up with a 48-second TKO victory over Aaron Riley. Nelson also holds notable victories over Jai Bradney and Kolo Koka.

Nelson is already in training camp alongside the icon Penn and former MFC welterweight champ Pat Healy, and while a specific game plan for Spencer hasn’t been formatted yet, MFC fans can expect all-out action from Nelson.

“I’ve heard that Graham is a grinder but I’ll say right now that he’s going to need a better plan than that to beat me,” offered Nelson. “He’s not going to be able to lay on me and hold me down. It doesn’t matter if I’m on top, on the bottom, or standing, I’m going to hurt him and he’s going to understand that he’s in a fight.

“I’m coming to leave it all on the line, and I’m coming to try and take his head off. I’m going to put on an exciting fight.”

Spencer (8-1, 1 NC) will ride a three-fight winning streak into his organizational debut. The Nanaimo, B.C., product, has earned four victories via submission, including two finishes inside the opening round.

Tickets for MFC 35: Explosive Encounter are available now exclusively through the MFC Ticket Hotline by calling (780) 504-2024.