Michael “The Messenger” Hill will take on Edmonton’s Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford in a battle for Aggression Fighting Championship’s (AFC) welterweight belt.
Hill, who grew up in Powell River, was tapped for the fight after Joel Powell bowed out due to an undisclosed injury.
“It happens in our sport,” said Hill. “We train so hard that there are a lot of injuries. As a fighter you’re never really at 100 per cent.”
As an up-and-coming fighter, Hill is proving himself a tough competitor in mixed martial arts. Hill and Powell went toe to toe last month to decide which fighter would take on Ford, who is ranked fourth in Canada in mixed martial arts and considered by many to be the best fighter not signed to an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract. Although Hill “went the distance” over the three rounds of the fight with Powell, he lost in a heartbreaking split decision that saw two out of three judges rule for Powell.
“A lot of people told me it should [have] gone my way,” said the 26-year-old fighter. “I just could read [Powell’s] body through the whole fight; every round it just seemed like he didn’t want to be in that cage. It was almost like I broke him.
“Before the judges had read the score cards, [Powell] came over and told me that I was one of the strongest guys that he’s ever been up against.”
A week after the fight, AFC organizers asked Hill, on his birthday while heading back up to Kelowna, BC, if he wanted to meet Ford in the ring. “It was a pretty good birthday present,” said Hill.
“We’re excited to have him fight for us again after his loss to Powell,” said AFC president Steve Fader. “He showed massive heart and his willingness to fight so quickly again proves why he belongs.”
Hill will take on Ford in the main event at AFC 19: Undisputed on July 5 at Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
