Self-dubbed as “The Future of Fighting”, XMMA will host its first show tomorrow night. XMMA 1 is set to take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The card is choc full of UFC veterans making their return to fighting since their release from MMA’s premier organization. The fun does not stop there, however, as there are other recognizable names fighting, including alums of other major promotions and even a former Olympic athlete making his MMA debut.
XMMA’s journey officially begins tomorrow night, with the event starting at 6pm ET/3pm PT. A free live stream of the event will be available on XMMA’s website. Be sure to stay tuned to MMA Sucka for live results of the event as well.
XMMA 1 Preview
James Vick vs. Andre Fialho
The main event features a welterweight bout between former UFC lightweight contender James Vick taking on Bellator and PFL veteran Andre Fiahlo. This fight will be Vick’s first since his viral upkick KO loss to Niko Price in October 2019. The TUF 15 alum is riding a four fight losing streak, albeit against formidable competition. Fialho, a Portuguese 26 year old AKA product, is on a three fight losing streak, most recently competing at LFA 92 in October. This fight is a chance for each fighter to get back on the right track.
Francisco Rivera vs. Ryan Lilley
“Cisco” Francisco Rivera returns to MMA for the first time in four and a half years in the night’s co-main event, a featherweight bout against Bellator and LFA veteran Ryan Lilley. Before the hiatus, the 39 year old Rivera had a 21 second KO win over Alex Caceres in June 2015 sandwiched between five losses, with the most recent one coming in July 2016. He also just finished serving a four-year USADA suspension for a positive test for banned substance clenbuterol. “The Lion” Lilley has lost his last two fights, most recently to UFC vet Albert Morales by TKO in November 2019.
Kyle Bochniak vs. Caio Uruguai
Kyle Bochniak had a tough UFC run, going 2-5 in the organization, with all fights going to decision. He is likely best remembered by fight fans for his 2018 Fight of the Year contender against Zabit Magomedsharipov. He returns against Caio Uruguai, a 27 year old Titan FC veteran with a decorated striking background. He comes to XMMA losing his three of his last four MMA bouts, most recently in July 2019, although winning a kickboxing match a couple months later.
Chris Curtis vs. Kyle Stewart
Chris Curtis scored a hook kick finish on the second season of the Dana White Contender Series in 2018, but was not given a contract by UFC president Dana White. The “King of Combat” Curtis was eventually picked up by the Professional Fighters League, competing in the 2019 season. Following a second loss to Magomed Magomedkerimov in as many fights, Curtis retired from MMA that night. That retirement was short-lived, however, as he was called upon to replace an injured Magomedkerimov in the tournament. He returned later that night to face Ray Cooper III, losing by KO and retiring again. That retirement also did not last, as he returned in January 2020 to pick up a win over Darren Smith Jr.
Kyle Stewart, meanwhile, fought on the first season of the Contender Series in 2017, finishing Jason Jackson but also not earning a contract. “Gunz Up” Stewart did eventually make it to the UFC in 2019, however, losing to Chance Rencountre and Erik Koch before being released. Stewart has since picked up two straight wins, bringing his record to 13-3.
Marcelo Golm vs. Brandon Hebert
Twenty eight year old heavyweight Marcelo Golm impressed in his UFC debut, picking up a quick submission win over Christian Colombo. He then followed that up with three consecutive losses, earning him a release from the organization. He returned to action at Taura MMA 11, racking up a quick TKO finish of DJ Linderman. He faces “Thug Passion” Brandon Hebert, who rebounded from a stoppage loss in his professional debut to pick up four consecutive sub-minute knockouts. Expect this fight to be a barnburner of a striking matchup.
Jack May vs. Chris Barnett
The preliminary card is headlined by a heavyweight matchup between two fighters that have had extensive MMA careers. “The Outlaw” Jack May has fought in most major MMA promotions, including the UFC, Bellator, and the PFL. The 6’8 39 year old May comes into the XMMA cage off of a no-contest against blue chip Bellator prospect Tyrell Fortune. Prior to that, he had lost three of his last four, plus a stoppage loss to fellow UFC veteran Mark Godbeer in a bare knuckle boxing bout.
He faces “Beast Boy” Chris Barnett, a fan favorite on the international fight scene. The 5’9 34 year old Barnett is riding a six fight winning streak in MMA, although he has split wins and losses in competitions in other combat sports during the streak.
Mahmoud Sebie vs. Jarell Murry
The preliminary card will also feature the MMA debut of Egyptian Olympic wrestler Mahmoud Sebie. Aside from being an Olympic wrestler, Sebie rose to prominence for a viral video calling out corruption in the Egyptian Olympic Committee. Sebie now has over a million followers on Instagram, mostly stemming from the video. Fans will see how well he does in his debut as he faces Jarell Murry, who lost his professional debut in October by stoppage.
Full Fight Card
Main Card
James Vick vs. Andre Fialho
Francisco Rivera vs. Ryan Lilley
Kyle Bochniak vs. Caio Uruguai
Chris Curtis vs. Kyle Stewart
Marcelo Golm vs. Brandon Hebert
Preliminary Card
Jack May vs. Chris Barnett
Mahmoud Sebie vs. Jarell Murry
Tyler Ray vs. Austin Jones
Charles Radtke vs. Geralbert Castillo
