XFC 15: Charlie Rader and Corey Hill collide

[keithlewis]

Charlie Rader will put his six fight win streak on the line at XFC 15 'Tribute', when, he faces UFC veteran Corey Hill on Dec 2nd. Hill will try to put an end to Rader's streak in Tampa, FL at the St Pete Times Forum live on HDNet.

Known as one of the most lethal strikers in the southeast, Charlie Rader is looking to extend his winning streak to seven at Tribute after being red hot in 2010 and 2011. After a disappointing stint on The Ultimate Fighter, "Superstar" picked up where he left off with a victory over Lanny Dardar in August. Last May Rader began his winning streak when knocked out former Ultimate Fighter contestant Christian Fulgium in the first round at Bellator 28.

After suffering a gruesome broken leg at UFC: Fight for the Troops in December 2008 in the lightweight division, Corey Hill has bulked up and moved to the welterweight division. Now at 170, Hill is looking to show the world that he is back better than ever. And with a first round submission win over Kit Cope last July it's hard to argue with the 6'4 Gracie Tampa product. Hill is a two time national collegiate wrestling finalist and was a high school state champion wrestler in Florida.

"This fight is huge for both men", said XFC President John Prisco. "Corey wants to show the world he is better than ever and has fully recovered from his injury while Charlie wants to keep his win streak going. Corey has legit grappling credentials and is excellent on the ground. That's where Corey has the advantage and that's where he wants it to go. But it's no secret Charlie Rader has excellent hands and I think he has underrated ground game. This is going to be an exciting fight and it should really appeal to casual MMA fans due to both fighters time on The Ultimate Fighter. However it shakes out, I don't see it going to a decision."

XFC 15 'Tribute' will be headlined by Eric Reynolds vs. Jonatas Novaes and will feature Nick Newell fighting on behalf of his late friend Abi Mestre against Denis Hernandez.

The show will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, Dec. 2nd and will air live on HDNet. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. VIP tables are also available through XFC Corporate. Please call 813-625-1672

[keithlewis]

Carla Esparza vs Felice Herrig announced as co-main event for XFC 15


The XFC announced today that Carla Esparza will meet Felice Herrig in the co-main event at XFC ‘Tribute’. Both Esparza and Herrig are considered to be top prospects in Women’s MMA. The two women will square off on Dec. 2nd at the St Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida live on HDNet.

Esparza (5-2) has made a name for herself by fighting the best in the world. Last August she stepped in to face one of the top mixed marital artist in Women’s MMA, Megumi Fujii, on nine days notice in the Bellator 115obs women’s tournament. Esparza is coming off a razor-thin split decision loss to world renowned Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 46, after winning two straight. The Team Oyama product is a two-time All-American wrestler out of Menlo College in Atherton, California.

With two dominant wins under her belt in 2011, Herrig (5-3) was signed to a multi-fight deal with the XFC in September. ‘Lil Bulldog’ is one of the most decorated kickboxers in Women’s MMA having earned the IKF Woman’s Bantamweight North American Championship in 2005 and 2006. Now with Team Curran in Crystal Lake, IL, Herrig has quickly ascended the ranks since her pro debut in 2009. Having won 5 out of her last 6 fights, Herrig will look to keep her momentum going with a win over Esparza.

“I am really excited about the Esparza vs. Herrig being our co-main event,” exclaimed XFC President John Prisco. “The XFC is going to shine a spotlight on Women’s MMA and these two women are the cream of the crop. This fight will be a classic striker vs. grappler match-up. Felice is one of the top kickboxers in the world and Esparza is a two-time All-American wrestler. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Felice does on the ground. I know she has submission wins under her belt and the guys at Team Curran have made her very well rounded. But you can’t forget about Carla. She is a great wrestler and her striking has gotten much better. I think she will be able to stand with Felice if it doesn’t go to the ground. This truly is going to be a great fight.”

XFC 15 ‘Tribute’ will be headlined by Eric Reynolds vs. Jonatas Novaes and will feature Nick Newell fighting on behalf of his late friend Abi Mestre against Denis Hernandez. Former Ultimate Fighter stars Charlie Rader and Corey Hill will also square off on the card.

The show will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, Dec. 2nd and will air live on HDNet. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. VIP tables are also available through XFC Corporate. Please call 813-625-1672 for more information. To learn more about the XFC please visit www.officialxfc.com, like them on Facebook and follow the promotion on Twitter.

[keithlewis]

XFC Announces Fight Card for XFC 'Tribute' Live on HDNet


The largest MMA promotion in the Southeast United States, Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC), unveiled the fight card for the XFC 15 ‘Tribute’ earlier today. The show will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL. ‘Tribute’ will be broadcast live on HDNet and will feature some of the top prospects in MMA. The event is being held in honor of former XFC fighter, Abi Mestre.

According to XFC President John Prisco, “Tribute will be one of the best cards we have ever done. Top to bottom this card is stacked. We have some seriously talented fighters on this show. Our main event features Jonatas Novaes and Eric Reynolds—I picked this fight as the main event for a reason. Noveas submitted the last four guys he fought in the first round. Then you have Eric Reynolds who has finished all 13 of his wins by TKO or submission. Someone is going to tap out or get knocked out and that’s what everyone wants to see. ”

The co-main event will feature a showdown between two of the most exciting female mixed martial artists. Decorated kickboxer, Felice Herrig, will face-off against two-time All-American wrestler Carla Esparza.

“What other MMA promotion puts women in the co-main event,” asked Prisco. “We are going to shine a light on Women’s MMA and feature the best fighters. Felice and Carla are two of the toughest out there. If you are a fan of Women’s MMA, you don’t want to miss this one.”

*Denis Hernandez (3-3) vs. Nick Newell (4-0), Corey Hill (4-4) vs. Charlie Rader (15-4), John Kolosci (15-8) vs. Ryan Thomas (14-7), Shah Bobonis (12-6) vs. Jeremy Pender (7-2), and Imani Lee (2-2) vs. Brandon Sayles (2-0) round out the main card.

“There are a lot of blue chippers as well as a lot of familar faces on this card,” exclaimed Prisco. “Corey Hill has fought in the UFC and was on The Ultimate Fighter. He’s going to be facing Charlie Rader who was also featured on the show. Charlie didn’t get to show what he could do when he was in the house but he’s built a reputation for knocking guys out all over the southeast.”

“John Kolosci vs. Ryan Thomas follows the same formula. Koloski was also featured on The Ultimate Fighter. Thomas, as most know also competed in the UFC. Last year he took Ben Askren to a decision in Bellator. Thomas is legit brother. I think this one could be a barn burner.”

The feature bout of the evening epitomizes everything XFC ‘Tribute’ is about. Seeking his fifth straight victory, Nick Newell will face Denis Hernandez. Newell will fight in place of his close friend and teammate Abi Mestre, who passed away earlier this year in a tragic motorcycle accident. Mestre was the winner of an XFC contract at the promotion’s open tryouts in Danbury, CT last January. In honor of Mestre, Prisco decided to award the contract to Newell.

“XFC ‘Tribute’ is really for Abi. We had such high hopes for that young man but we’re handing the ball to Nick. I know he will take this opportunity and run with it. Nick has overcome so much in life already, from his physical handicap to the loss of his best friend. December 2nd is going to be a big night for him. There’s also going to be a lot of pressure, he’s expected to go out and win one for his friend. But let me tell you something, Denis Hernandez has some sick submission skills. If Nick gets caught up in all the hype of the event and doesn’t take Denis seriously, ‘Tribute’ could get very interesting.

The MC and Announcer for XFC ‘Tribute’ will be none other than the voice of the promotion, Christopher James. The always charismatic announcer will have no trouble keeping the fans in Tampa involved in the action throughout the night.

XFC ‘Tribute’ is sponsored by Overthrow Gear and Sheets Energy Strips and will take place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL, Dec. 2nd and will air live on HDNet. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. VIP tables are also available through XFC Corporate. Please call 813-625-1672 for more information. To learn more about the XFC, please visit www.officialxfc.com, like them on Facebook and follow the promotion on Twitter.

[keithlewis]

Eric Reynolds looking for another KO at XFC ‘Tribute’


With 12 wins in 13 pro fights coming in the 1st round it’s easy to see why Eric Reynolds earned the name ‘It’s a Wrap’. Now Reynolds will bring his TKO road show to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL this Friday night live on HDNet when he takes on jiu jitsu ace, Jonatas Novaes at XFC ‘Tribute’.

Novaes will roll into Tampa on a four fight win streak including a victory over Reynold’s teammate, UFC veteran Ryan Thomas.

“I’m looking forward to facing Jonatas at ‘Tribute’,” said Reynolds. “I know he’s got a nice winning streak going and I need to put a stop to that. He beat one of my teammates earlier this year and I’m out for a little revenge.”

Reynolds is an exciting striker best known for his run in the Bellator Lightweight Tournament in 2009. The ATT product stepped in on short notice and ran through Thomas Schulte en route to another first round TKO victory before coming up short to eventual champ Eddie Alvarez in the Semi-Finals. Now Reynolds will turn his attention to the black belt in brailian jiu jitsu, Novaes.

“I want to fight the best and the XFC has given me that opportunity with Jonatas’, explained Reynolds. “Jonatas is a world class grappler but I feel I can hold my own on the ground if it goes there. I may have started as a kickboxer but I have expanded my game. I roll with black belts everyday and I’m not scared to go to the ground with someone like Jonatas. I believe I have the advantage if the fight stays standing and I’d like to get another first round KO and leave Tampa with another W in the win column.”

“Eric vs. Jonatas is a great main event,” said XFC President John Prisco. “Neither of these guys like to go to a decision. Both are finishers and fans expect to see exciting fights in the XFC, and that’s what we are going to give them. If the fight stays standing Eric can knock him out but if it goes to the ground Jonatas will probably get a submission. Both guys are so good at what they do. This is the classic grappler vs. striker that everyone always talks about.”