Chris Barnett, initially slated to take on Smealinho Rama on May 8th at MFC 37: True Grit, has been removed from the card after failing his medical examinations. Two of Barnett’s doctors, as well as Edmonton Combative Sports Commission head physician Dr. Shelby Karpmann, have determined that Barnett is suffering from three holes in one of his retinas. As such, Barnett was removed from the card in the interest of avoiding serious, if not permanent, injury. MFC owner/president Mark Pavelich had this to say:
“I’m disappointed for Chris Barnett, but definitely more so for Smealinho Rama who trained so diligently for the title shot he desperately wanted. Rama is such a talented young fighter and on top of that a really good kid. I promised him that he’s not going anywhere – he’s the undisputed No. 1 contender and he’ll get that title shot right away.”
Thankfully for Rama, however, Pavelich is sympathetic. The MFC’s outspoken owner/president has agreed to pay him his show money, as well as guaranteed him another heavyweight title shot on the next Maximum Fighting Championships card. Mr. Pavelich was not as nice, however, when the subject of Chris Barnett’s management arose:
“It’s an absolute shame that it came down to this, and it didn’t have to go this way for Rama at all. Had Barnett’s manager Mickey Dubberly been more professional and more on top of things, we would have been notified at least two weeks ago that there was an issue with the medicals. Instead we find out one day before he’s scheduled to leave. With proper notice we could have found a suitable replacement and had the title fight but because of irresponsible management, Rama and the MFC fans have been robbed of that opportunity.”
With the scratching of Barnett/Rama from the card, the highly anticipated clash between bantamweights Ryan Benoit and Anthony Berchak becomes the main event, while the middleweight bout between Allen Hope and Paul Grandbois has been promoted from the prelims to the televised card.
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