MFC Announces Ryan McGillivray-Nathan Coy Welterweight Title Bout for May 4

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A welterweight title clash between Nathan Coy and Ryan McGillivray will highlight the May 4 Maximum Fighting Championships card, the promotion announced Sunday.

Emanating from the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, MFC 33 “Collision Course” will also feature a light heavyweight tussle between Aron Lofton and Dwayne Lewis as well as a lightweight showdown between Diego Bautista and Sabah Fadai. The still-developing event will be televised on HDNet.

Coy secured his shot at the vacant 170-pound belt with a unanimous decision over highly touted prospect Dhiego Lima at MFC 32 on Jan. 27. A two-time Strikeforce veteran, “Soulforce” has been victorious in five of his last seven fights. The 33-year-old American Top Team product owns notable victories over current UFC welterweights Mike Pierce and Ricky Story.

McGillivray earned his spot opposite Coy at MFC 32 card as well, as he rebounded from a loss to Shamar Bailey at “The Ultimate Fighter 13” Finale to submit Bautista with an armbar in the second round. McGillivray, who has already fought 11 times under the MFC banner, has finished 10 of his 12 career victories by way of submission.

Lofton and Lewis first met at MFC 17 “Hostile Takeover” in 2008, with Lofton winning via knockout 17 seconds into the opening frame. The Texan has fallen on hard times of late, losing three of his last four bouts. Most recently, Lofton was stopped by punches in the first round against longtime UFC veteran Keith Jardine in March.

Lewis, meanwhile, is trying to end a two-fight skid, having fallen to Ryan Jimmo and Wilson Gouveia in back-to-back outings. The Canadian owns notable wins against Razak Al-Hassan, Mike Nickels and Marvin Eastman.

Unbeaten in his first seven fights, Bautista tasted defeat for the first time in his career against McGillivray at welterweight, but will now drop to 155 pounds. The Anaheim, Calif., native has garnered five of his seven triumphs by knockout, technical knockout, or submission.

Fadai had a four-fight tear stopped in a unanimous decision loss to Mukai Maromo last October. “The Persian Warrior” had avoided the judges’ scorecards in each of his previous four victories, including first-round finishes of Yang Fei and Aden Zarco.