Hardcore Championship Fighting is officially out of business, CEO Keith Crawford has informed Sherdog.com.

The unexpected news comes after a period of optimism for the Canadian organization. HCF was expected to announce this week that it had been bought by Canadian television network The Score, which airs HCF fights.

Crawford hoped that selling to the network would put the promotion among the few legitimately vying for the No. 2 spot behind the UFC.

HCF made waves when it started promoting last July, signing such high-profile fighters as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures), Renato Sobral (Pictures), Gegard Mousasi (Pictures) and David Loiseau (Pictures).

Crawford would not speak on the record about the causes of HCF's demise. However, he said that both he and former partner Dave Houshiar will continue as MMA promoters, each with his own event.