The Maximum Fighting Championship announces today that lightweight Drew Fickett has been released from his contract with the company.

Fickett was handed a first-round TKO defeat at the hands of Brian Cobb at MFC 30, and was then given permission to fight in Japan this past weekend. However, Fickett was dealt a second consecutive first-round knockout loss thereby nullifying his contract.

"Drew had the consent of the MFC to fight in Japan, but he and his management were expressly told that if he lost badly again he would be released, and therefore Drew has been released," explained MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

"I will not have guys coming and going from the MFC and thinking what they do in other organizations won't have an effect on where they stand in the Maximum Fighting Championship. I have a lot of respect for Drew especially in the way he turned his life around and I wish him the best of luck in his future."

Fickett was scheduled to be part of the lineup for the upcoming MFC 31 card.