Xtreme Fighting Championship returns to action with a two-part night of fights. The first half of the action is XFC Young Guns 2, a six-fight card featuring prospects in the early stages of their MMA careers. The second half is XFC 44, a seven-fight card featuring veterans and more recognizable names. XFC 44 is the second major event since relaunching the brand back in November.
The main event is at bantamweight, pitting the winner of the XFC 43 main event and UFC veteran Andre Soukhamthath against TUF: Latin America 1 and UFC veteran Jose Quinonez. “Teco” Quinonez has lost three of his last four, most recently to Louis Smolka last December. After going 2-5 in the UFC, “The Asian Sensation” Soukhamthath defeated Guilherme Faria by split decision at the aforementioned XFC 43.
The semifinal bouts for both XFC’s lightweight and welterweight tournaments are also on the card. At welterweight, originally-scheduled tournament competitor “Featherstone” Bradley Desir steps into the semifinals on short notice, taking the place of an injured Carson Hardman. Desir was forced out of the quarterfinals due to illness, with original opponent Hardman defeating replacement Steven Newell. He is facing LFA, WSOF, and Bellator veteran “The Cannibal” LaRue Burley, who picked up a late submission win to get into the semifinals. On the other end and in the co-main event, Ryan Dickson and UFC veteran “Nashty” Bobby Nash both picked up quick first-round finishes to get to this point.
At lightweight, UFC, Dana White Contender Series, and Titan FC veteran Kurt Holobaugh fights “Dos Lobos” Jose Luis Verdugo, who steps in on short notice to replace an injured Scott Hudson. Holobaugh grabbed a 26-second knockout over Joziro Boye in the quarterfinals, while Verdugo has won two in a row to bring his overall record to 19-9. Meanwhile, Damonte Robinson is in a similar situation to Desir. He pulled out of his quarterfinal bout against Kenny Cross, who went on to defeat Jarel Askew. With Cross now injured, Robinson takes his place in the semifinals against “Big Nasty” Tom O’Connor, who picked up a dominant win over Jose Caceres.
Rounding out the XFC 44 card, “Big Dog” Brett Martin will face Marino Eatman at a 303-pound catchweight bout. Martin especially is an intriguing heavyweight prospect, who was originally scheduled to face Chris Barnett before “Beast Boy” signed with the UFC. Kicking off the card is 19 year old Austin Bashi, whose two professional wins have both come in dominant fashion under the XFC banner. He will fight the Indiana native “Memnon Warrior” Emanuel Pugh.
MMA Sucka has fight fans covered with XFC 44 results, with the card happening live on Fox Sports 2 and XFCTV at 10pm ET/7 pm PT.
XFC 44 Results
Jose Quinonez def. Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Bobby Nash def. Ryan Dickson via KO (punches), 3:00 of Round 1, advances to XFC Welterweight Tournament Final
Kurt Holobaugh def. Jose Luis Verdugo via KO (punches), 0:11 of Round 2, advances to XFC Lightweight Tournament Final
Brett Martin def. Marino Eatman via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Damonte Robinson def. Tom O’Connor via unanimous decision (29-28 x3), advances to XFC Lightweight Tournament Final
LaRue Burley def. Bradley Desir via TKO (punches), 3:14 of Round 3, advances to XFC Welterweight Tournament Final
Austin Bashi def. Emanuel Pugh via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 29-28)
