MFC 22 'Payoff:' Carlo Prater vs Antonio McKee on Oct. 2

Brazilian Carlo Prater couldn't have picked a better time to sign a three-fight deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

With his name on the dotted line, Prater not only seals up a multi-fight contract but also secures himself a title shot - an opportunity he'll get right out of the gate when he meets Antonio "Mandingo" McKee for the MFC lightweight belt at MFC 22: Payoff.

"Carlo's credentials are fantastic and he will deservedly get a chance at the title," said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "Few fighters are willing to jump right into a fight with Antonio McKee but Prater didn't waste a second in accepting the challenge. It is a golden opportunity for him and the great part about it is that Prater versus McKee should be a terrific title fight for the fans to watch."

Prater (24-6-1) has won three of his last four fights and has a career punctuated with several impressive victories. The six-foot native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, holds a victory over MFC welterweight champion Pat Healy via submission in 2005 and holds other wins over such notable names as Melvin Guillard, Spencer Fisher, and Carlos Condit.

The fight against Prater will be McKee's first defense of the MFC 155-pound championship which he captured in a five-round decision over Derrick Noble at MFC 20. McKee (22-3-2) has steamrolled through his opposition since moving down from welterweight and the accomplished wrestler has not lost since 2003.

McKee vs. Prater will be the co-main event of MFC 22: Payoff alongside the much-anticipated middleweight showdown between Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald and Travis "The Serial Killer" Lutter. MFC 22 will take place on Friday, October 2 from the River Cree Resort and Casino and be seen live throughout North America on HDNet Fights.

Just a few tickets remain for MFC 22 and they can be purchased via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 or through www.ticketmaster.ca, Ticketmaster charge by phone (780) 451-8000, and Ticketmaster outlets.