MFC 22: Travis Lutter vs Jason MacDonald under consideration for Oct. 2

by Jesse Holland on Jul 25, 2009 10:22 AM EDT

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 4 winner Travis Lutter (9-5) is in talks to face "TUF" Killer Jason MacDonald (21-12) at Maximum Fighting Championships (MFC) 22 from the River Cree Resort and Casino on Friday, October 2 according to Sportsnet.ca.

Zuffa gave Lutter his walking papers following his technical knockout loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 83: "Serra vs. St. Pierre 2" in April 2008. It was his first (and last) fight since returning from a 14-month long layoff, recovering from a back injury that had haunted him throughout his career.

And the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist nearly pulled off the win with a tight armbar; however, "Ace" defended it perfectly, spun out and went on to pound out the tired-looking "Serial Killer."

He was lambasted for the performance – critics felt he was unprepared and not conditioned to compete for the full 15 minutes. Perhaps the accusations were accurate or just more ammo for those who are still miffed that Lutter failed to make weight for his 185-pound title bout against middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 67 in early 2007.

Whatever the case may be, the talented but often maligned Lutter is a lightning rod for criticism.

MacDonald was released from the UFC last May after a nearly three-year career inside the Octagon. "The Athlete" was halfway through a four-fight contract signed last September and even had the chance to be immortalized courtesy of a Round 5 action figure.

Unfortunately the Canadian had been inconsistent during his tenure with the UFC, going 5-5 and recently losing two straight — including a dreadful performance against Nate Quarry at UFC 97 back on April 18.

MacDonald was never able to gain any traction in the 185-pound division since bursting onto the scene in 2006 with back-to-back submission wins over Ed Herman and Chris Leben. Still, he brings a well rounded arsenal to the table and will no doubt be fighting with the intentions of getting back to the big stage.

Perhaps they both will.

Stay tuned for more updates to MFC's October 2 fight card as they become available.

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Comments

i like lutter he seems to be a top 3 mw if he comes into shape. he dominated silva for most of the first round, he dominated rich for most of the first round and than he gasses. ill say that i honestly believe he had the potential to be the #1 mw but he has the worst fight preparation of any fighter. he always gasses

by Jared on Jul 25, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

I was done with him after his second fight with Silva. He was already criticized thoroughly at that point and it was a chance to take the title and beat the best P4P guy in the world. If you can’t get in shape under that scenario, you don’t even deserve to be invited back IMO. Screw Lutter.

by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jul 25, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Lutter has awesome grappling skills. It’s a pity about his cardio. If this goes to the ground and stays on the ground, this should be his for sure.

by Kobajack on Jul 25, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont know if Lutters ground skills are much better then MacDonalds. Mac managed to put on a wicked ground fight for 3 rounds with Maia till he got submitted. If this fight is anything like that one it would be awesome.

by NorthStar on Jul 25, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

This! Anyone who doesn’t get subbed in the 1st by Maia has decent grappling chops. J-Mac’s cardio and standup (yep it’s better than Lutter’s) should carry him through.

by NameNotRequired on Jul 25, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I am not sure J-mac has any standup. He has looked terrible in his last few fights on his feet. These two best hit the ground fast or they are gonna look terrible and no one will want them back.

by NorthStar on Jul 25, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. For a second it seamed as if Lutter might get the ground and pound finish on Anderson. He couldn’t even make weight for the biggest fight of his career. This would of made good for a UFC undercard.

by Bluepit on Jul 25, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

MacDonald I don’t don’t mind being back, but if I never see Lutter again I wouldn’t think twice about it.

by DSmith on Jul 25, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

1324243

by AL on Jul 26, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

J-Mac wins by exhaustion 1:30 into round 2.

by PW on Jul 25, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

you mean round 1 right? :)

by shamo84 on Jul 25, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s good for one round, then he starts sucking oxygen like a 90-year-old with emphysema.

by PW on Jul 25, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Good for half a round!!! Lutter makes Mark Coleman look like GSP!

by attakdog on Jul 25, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Lutter wins if he’s in shape… J-Mac has to be one of the most unintelligent fighters, and what it really comes down to is that he has zero confidence and feel for the standup so he’s scared…

by RoB on Jul 25, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Big “IF” Rob.

by attakdog on Jul 25, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

What is it with idiots posting the same rubbish in every thread, it makes you look even more desperate for attention.

by David W-S on Jul 25, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Lutter is a quality grappler but has the worst work ethic that I have ever seen, he makes BJ look like GSP cardio wise. He struggled to make weight against Cote, didn’t against Andy and gassed against Rich. If the guy had any heart he would be top 10, instead he is as big a joke as Kalib Starnes.

MacDonald should be able to whether the storm and submit Lutter when he inevitably gasses, as dumb as his strategies are I like the guy and his fight with Maia is one of my all-time favourites. J-Mac by R2 sub.

by David W-S on Jul 25, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Travis is a pretty tough guy.

He just runs an MMA school and trains alone instead of going to ‘camps’ and having a huge team of specialists train him like most of the bigger named fighters.

Not a good strategy when you get into a cage with the toughest guys in the world.

by nobody on Jul 25, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Not true. He owns a gym in Fort Worth, Texas, but he trains at the Lion’s Den in Dallas. Trust me, his jiu-jitsu is 10X better than MacDonald’s. I train at his gym, and I know from sparring with him that he is one of the best grapplers in the world right now.

by Sanger on Aug 20, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

If fedor does not go to the ufc now , it shows he is a loser and knows he would not win
if he don’t want to sign the if you’re the champ you stay deal sign a 3 or 4 fight deal and just not give him a title shot , atleast then we could see him against some legit guys !!
after that if he wants to stay and get a shot then he can sigh the "champ stays" contract let him fight gonzaga, carwin, randy, and mir

by TheDragon on Jul 25, 2009 12:45 PM EDT reply actions