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Gonzalez-Montero Set for XFC 22: Crossing the Line Feb. 22


Xtreme Fighting Championships will return to AXStv on February 22 for XFC 22: Crossing the Line. Just announced for the upcoming card will be a Women's MMA matchup in the 125-pound Flyweight division, between newly signed Pearl Gonzalez and Suzie Montero. This will mark the XFC debut for both ladies and could mark the beginning of a busy year for WMMA under the XFC banner.

Montero enters the bout with a 1-1 record after beating Kim Couture in her debut, and dropping her most recent bout to a lengthy Jessamyn Duke. The height and reach advantage played a big part in the fight with Duke, but Montero will be more evenly matched with Gonzalez, as both fighters stand at 5'4''. Montero will travel north from Florida, where she was nominated for 'Fighter of the Year', to take on Gonzalez on neutral grounds at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, NC.

Pearl Gonzalez enters the bout with a very misleading 0-1 record. Gonzalez put together an extremely impressive amateur record. Including her amateur Muay Thai fights, she is the owner of 3 World Championship belts. She made her pro debut in early 2012 challenging Munah Holland, who is currently ranked in the top 10 of her division Worldwide. The fight went to a decision, something only two other fighters have been able to manage against Holland, but ended in a loss for Gonzalez. Now, Pearl will be looking to redeem herself, as she enters the XFC cage for the first fight of her recently signed contract.

Both fighters are most comfortable with their stand up, with Gonzalez taking a slight advantage with her striking. The fighters are otherwise very evenly matched, which should make for an exciting bout for those in attendance and watching live on AXStv. XFC President John Prisco weighed in on the match up with media officials. "Im pumped for this fight. Fans always love when the ladies get in the cage and put on a good show, and that's what I'm expecting from these two. They are both coming off really tough fights and getting right back in to another. I see this as a full on stand and bang battle. Someone will end this fight, but it's a toss up which fighter it will be. These are the types of matchups I look forward to pairing here at the XFC. The fans are in for a treat. This will be a great fight to kick off the 2013 year in our Women's Division."

Gonzalez is the most recent signee in a group that also includes Stephanie Eggink and Angela Magana. As the XFC looks to increase the number of shows through the coming year, there will be more opportunities for the women's division to take the spotlight. To see more on the XFC 22 card, or the growing women's divisions go to http://www.OfficialXFC.com. XFC 22 'Crossing the Line' is resented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and ThroatPunch Ind. Apparel, the event will air live on AXStv from the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. To keep up with XFC news, follow the promotion on Facebook and Twitter '@OfficialXFC'.

Check out the current fight card at http://www.OfficialXFC.com/xfc22

Holtzman-Hicks Set for XFC 22 Main Event on Feb. 22


XFC will make its first appearance of 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina for XFC 22: Crossing the Line. The fight card is set to feature a mix of the top local talents and some of the XFC's biggest names in both the men's and women's divisions. The main event for the scheduled card will be a Lightweight matchup between South Carolina's Jason "The Ronin" Hicks and Tennessee's Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman.

The winner of the bout will reportedly be the first in line for a title shot with the newly crowned XFC Lightweight Champion, Nick Newell. The XFC Lightweight division has become one of the most active under the promotions banner during the 2012 season and was capped off with Newell's victory over Eric Reynolds at XFC 21. Making their way through the division, with consecutive wins inside the promotions cage, Hicks and Holtzman turned heads and had fans eager for the matchup.

Hicks, an XFC Open Fighter Tryout Winner, holds a perfect record of 5-0 with four finishes. He is 2-0 under the XFC banner, including his most recent win, a second round Armbar over Shane Crenshaw at XFC 19. He had been scheduled to fight Kevin Forant in December, before Forant was pulled from the card due to a broken hand.

Holtzman, the X-series Tryout Winner, meanwhile holds and unblemished 3-0 record, with all three wins in the XFC. He most recently defeated Chris Coggins in a referee stoppage, when Gary Copeland was forced to step in and save Coggins from the brutal ground and pound of Holtzman in the closing seconds of the first round at XFC 20. Coggins is best known for taking current champion Nick Newell a full three rounds before losing a close decision.

This will be a matchup of Holtzmans' strength and athleticism versus Hicks technical skills. So far there are mixed reports as to who should be the favorite in the bout, with each fighter holding an advantage in different aspects of their game.

XFC returns to Charlotte, North Carolina for its first event of 2013, XFC 22 'Crossing the Line'. Closing out a strong 2012 schedule with a new Lightweight Champion crowned, expect another year of entertaining shows from the fastest growing promotion in the MMA community. XFC 22 is presented byICRealtime and Throatpunch Apparel Ind. For more information on the 2013 schedule and XFC 22 go to www.officialxfc.com and follow the promotion on Facebook and Twitter '@OfficialXFC'.

Check out more current news at www.OfficialXFC.com

Landwehr versus Owens Tapped for XFC 22: Crossing the Line


Love him or hate him, Nate Landwehr is 2-0 in XFC Featherweight division and the promotion has lined him up for a real test in his next fight, as "The Train" is scheduled to appear at XFC 22: Crossing the Line where he will take on local favorite D'Juan Owens. Landwehr earned a spot on the XFC roster after being featured as part of an extremely entertaining undercard bout at XFC 18 and has quickly become one of the promotions most featured fighters at 145-pounds.

In Landwehr's second pro fight, he took on Chris Wright at XFC 20 and again was able to earn a stoppage in the second round. The fight was once again wildly entertaining. With both fighters throwing big shots to start the second round, Landwehr welcomed the stand-up exchange with Wright, dropping his hands and showing that the punches had done no harm. The big strikes were followed by two big body slams and solid GnP by Landwehr that eventually led to a referee stoppage as Landwehr rained down punches from Wrights back. In true gladiator mentality, and wanting to make sure the XFC fans were thoroughly entertained, he finished his appearance with a backflip of the top rail.

Landwehr is a different type of animal. He has become somewhat of a polar figure in the XFC ranks due to some post fight antics. His next opponent, D'juan Owens, took no time in calling Landwehr out on the matter. What some don't realize is that Landwehr is all business. His coaches will tell you he is first in the gym, last out, always pushing the pace in practice, giving 100%. He shows up to fight, he punishes, and he goes home to get ready for the next guy. Though he may have gotten a little excited after the fight with Wright:

What many did not see was the trash talk from Wright and company backstage before the fight. Nate did not say much in the pre-fight exchange, but instead chose to let his hands do the talking once he had Wright locked inside the cage.

After Owens went public with his thoughts on Landwehr, there have been plenty of opportunities for a response from "The Train" but he seems to be taking the high road going into the fight. One can only assume that will mean bad things for Owens when the cage door closes on February 22, with Landwehr holding everything in until he has the chance to punch "Dirty South" in the face. Landwehr makes his first appearance with the XFC outside of Tennessee, as the rowdy SSF Fight Team brings multiple fighters into Charlotte for interstate matchups. An important thought for XFC fans to keep in mind, John Prisco has announced plans to name a champion in the Featherweight Division before the end of the year, and if Landwehr can return to Tennessee victorious in February he will be (3-0) under the XFC banner and great position in the amongst the 45ers.

XFC 22: "Crossing the Line" begins with Landwehr vs. Owens in the opening bout, which will air on AXStvfights live from the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte on February 22. The event is presented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and ThroatPunch Ind. Apparel, to see XFC 22 live visit www.OfficialXFC.com to purchase tickets. To keep up with the XFC follow the promotion on Twitter and Facebook '@OfficialXFC'.

XFC Headliner, Tryout Winner Hicks Seeks Title Contention


South Carolina's Jason Hicks will be one half of the XFC 22: Crossing the Line main event this month. "The Ronin" is now (2-0) inside the XFC cage, and a win over his next opponent Scott Holtzman would give him a perfect (6-0) pro record, with three consecutive wins under the promotion. Hicks battles Scott Holtzman on February 22 to determine the top contender in the XFC Lightweight division, with the winner to face "Notorious" Nick Newell later in the year.

Jason Hicks is another in the line of successful XFC Open Fighter Tryout winners. The tryout events held by the promotion, have led to the discovery of multiple talented competitors who have gone on to have successful fighting careers; including current XFC Champion Nick Newell. Hicks won the 2010 tryout and has since added 3 additional wins to his record. He last appeared at XFC 19, with a submission win over XFC-vet Shane Crenshaw via second-round arm bar.

A full-time X-Ray tech and father by day, Hicks spends his free time at Charleston MMA in South Carolina trying to improve as a fighter in pursuit of his dreams. He has quickly become one of the most well rounded fighters in the XFC stable. What he gives up in size and strength, Hicks makes up for in smarts and technique. He is best with his striking and the combination of his quick head movements, and pin point accuracy makes Hicks a menace for any competitor who chooses to stand and trade with him. Once on the mat he seems to always be one step ahead of his opponent, as seen by the fight at XFC 19 where he patiently waited from his guard to gain the opportunity to lock in an Armbar on Crenshaw.

Hicks will have to be at his best against Holtzman, who is gaining national recognition as one of the top prospects in MMA here in 2013. Holtzman will be the bigger fighter and has the advantage of being a full-time fighter, which allows him to travel for training and dedicate more time to his craft. Though Holtzman will have those advantages, Hicks will have a strong following as he fights just an hour north of his hometown in South Carolina. His ground game will help to defend the inevitable take downs from Holtzman and this fight being so evenly matched is going to make for a great main event at XFC 22.

Two fighters with perfect records clash in a battle for the top contender position of the XFC Lightweight division on February 22, as Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman challenges Jason "The Ronin" Hicks in the main event of XFC 22: "Crossing the Line". To see more of the events bouts, or to purchase tickets to XFC 22 go to www.OfficialXFC.com. XFC 22 is presented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and ThroatPunch Ind. Apparel; the event will air live on AXStv from the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina at 9pm.

Welterweight Ricky Rainey Looking to Make XFC Title Run


Ricky "The Sniper" Rainey will be back in action under the XFC banner, as the promotion returns to his backyard of Charlotte, North Carolina on Feb. 22nd. Rainey made his latest appearance at XFC 21 with a quick win over XFC-vet Donny Wallace, less than two minuted into the first round. The Sniper is now (1-1) in the XFC Welterweight division going into February's nationally televised Co-Main event match with Joseph Corneroli.

Rainey and Corneroli will be another edition of the underlying North Carolina vs. South Carolina theme of XFC 22, and with the particularly similar skill sets featured by the fighters, it has the potential to be fight of the night. Rainey loves to keep his fights standing and as far as XFC Welterweights are concerned, he is one of the bigger fighters in the division standing 6'1'' with a 79-inch reach. Those two attributes make it nearly impossible for most opponents to establish their striking against Rainey, as they find themselves stuck either outside their own range, or right inside of Rainey's. Once the Team Renegade fighter gets his opponents covering up, he turns on the pressure and puts an end to his night's work.

Rainey enters the bout with a near perfect record, taking on Joseph Corneroli from Upstate Karate. Corneroli may be the most talented striker that Rainey has faced yet. The South Carolina fighter is the main training partner of kickboxing sensation Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson and has also worked with GSP and Firas Zahabi at the Tri-Star gym in Canada. Corneroli is also a purple belt of the Carlos Machado BJJ lineage. With that, Rainey will be best off keeping this fight standing, where his advantages are abundant. In previous fights he has shown his ability to defend against takedown attempts, with his height and strength also playing to his advantage in those situations.

With the announcement that the XFC would like to have a champion named in the Welterweight division before the end of 2013, a win for Rainey would only move him closer to that opportunity. First he will have to make it through a gifted opponent in Corneroli at XFC 22.

To see "The Sniper" in his return to Charlotte, North Carolina visit www.OfficialXFC.com and purchase tickets to the February 22 event. XFC 22: Crossing the Line is presented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and ThroatPunch Ind. Apparel and will air live on AXStv from the Grady Cole Center beginning at 9pm. For more information on XFC22 and to keep up with XFC news, follow the promotion on Facebook and Twitter '@OfficialXFC'.