XFC veteran Julio Gallegos returns to the cage on Feb. 10th live on HDNet when he takes on Amaechi Oselukwue at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum at XFC 16: ‘High Stakes’. The heavy handed middleweight is a fan favorite not just for his fighting ability but his charity work as well.
Overcoming tragedy at an early age, that saw the loss of both of Gallegos’ parents, the Kentucky native has turned the negative into a positive by focusing his energy on helping sick children. Gallegos works tirelessly promoting cancer awareness and spends his time visiting sick children at St. Jude and Kosair Children’s Hospital in Kentucky. Last year Gallegos even started his own charity, the GJG Foundation, which benefits kids in Lexington, KY. Last year the fighter raised several thousand dollars that went into helping children in his hometown.
XFC President John Prisco isn’t just a man who promotes Gallegos’ fights. He’s also a fan of the man who gives back to his community. “It’s great to have Julio back in the XFC. We haven’t seen him since 2010 and I know he’s eager to get back in there and continue to fight and do his best to help sick children not only in Kentucky but all over the world. Julio had a tough childhood and could’ve easily fallen into the trap of joining a gang or drugs, but he didn’t. He chose to pay it forward and is give back to his community. If anyone deserves to have a chip on their shoulder it’s Julio, but he doesn’t. He has the biggest heart of anyone in the sport. I’m proud to promote him and win, lose, or draw Julio is a winner.”
Gallegos made his debut at XFC 7 and finished his first four opponents in just under a combined 16 minutes. At XFC 10 it took Gallegos only 34 seconds to knock out UFC veteran Shane Primm. At ‘High Stakes’ the Reaction MMA product will be looking for another spectacular knockout.
“Julio has hands of stone,” said Prisco. “If Julio hits you with a clean shot you are going down. He is so strong and hits like a Mack Truck. He also has a very underrated ground game too. Wherever the fight goes, Julio is game.”
But standing in Gallego’s way of a successful return is Amaechi Oselukwue. ‘The Infamous A.O.” is one of the most decorated fighters in Tennessee Amateur Mixed Martial Arts history. Before turning pro, “A.O.” built his reputation as one of the most fearless fighters in the state’s history taking on all comers at light heavyweight and middleweight.
“I’m really intrigued by A.O.,” confessed Prisco. “A.O. is one of those guys who is so athletic. I’ve seen him do things in the cage and think, ‘This kid has the potential to be another Anderson Silva’. He’s so raw and has won a lot of fights just on athletic ability. I think his fight with Julio is going to be a war and I don’t see it going the distance. One of these guys will likely get knocked out.”
XFC 16 : High Stakes is sponsored by Sheets Energy Strips & Overthrow Gear and will air live on HDnet from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN on February 10th, 2012. Tickets are on sale now through OfficialXFC.com. To learn more about the XFC, please visit www.officialxfc.com, “Like” them on Facebook, and “Follow” the promotion on Twitter (@officialxfc).
