MFC Deal Blocks Fickett from Strikeforce Show

June 27, 2008

source: Mike Russelll, The Fight Network

Reports that UFC veteran Drew Fickett would replace Joe Riggs in a

middleweight match against Luke Stewart at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson

on Friday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., were premature.

Fickett earlier this month signed to fight Ryan Ford for the Maximum Fighting

Championship welterweight title at MFC 17: Hostile Takeover on Thursday, July

24. Fickett's contract with the Edmonton, Alberta-based promotion forbids him

from competing six weeks prior to the championship fight, according to MFC

promoter Mark Pavelich.

Pavelich told The Fight Network late Thursday that he had spoken with

representatives from Fickett's camp and reminded them of the clause in the

Arizonan's contract. Pavelich said he was assured that Fickett would not be

fighting Stewart at the Strikeforce show.

"He's not [taking the Strikeforce fight] anymore," Pavelich said. "Scott Coker, the

owner of Strikeforce, took care of it. Scott showed a lot of class by understanding my situation."

A replacement has not been named for Riggs, who was told by the California State Athletic Commission that he would not be allowed to compete after admitting he had taken a prescribed painkiller three days ago.

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