XFC Young Guns initially began almost five years ago. At launch in 2020, the YoungGuns series served the same purpose as Dana White’s Contender Series that came before it: Give future MMA stars the opportunity to wow the audience in the arena and any viewers watching from home.
With the new year looming, one of XFC’s resolutions was as follows: Bring XFC Young Guns back. As per a Thursday morning press release, the series will return to live action at the close of the first month of 2025.
Kill Cliff FC Serves as Host Venue for XFC Young Guns Return Jan. 29
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, XFC’s 2025 schedule kicks off at the famed Kill Cliff Fight Club in Deerfield Beach, FL as part of a pact between the promotion and the venue covering a series of events. That evening, Young Guns returns with the first of six events carrying the Young Guns signature.
Prior to the January return, XFC last held a Young Guns event in December of 2021. In the Young Guns 4 main event of the evening from Delta Plex Arena in Grand Rapids, Kenneth Cross (15-4 MMA, 4-0 XFC) bested Jose Martinez (13-8 MMA, 0-1 XFC) by way of unanimous decision. The night was also marked by Austin Bashi (13-0 MMA, 5-0 XFC), now with the UFC, knocking out Darnell White Jr. (1-5 MMA, 0-2 XFC) with ground and pound shots.
Austin Bashi solidified his status as one of the best young fighters in #MMA as he improved to 5-0 in the Hexagon & made a little history at #YoungGuns4 on FOX Sports 2 #mma #XFC #XFCMMA https://t.co/iIzWdzvOiu
— XFC MMA (@OfficialXFC) December 15, 2021
While nothing has been officially signed as of yet, promotion officials are also exploring the possibility of expanding the XFC Young Guns brand to Latin American markets in the future.
Xtreme One Entertainment President on XFC Young Guns Return
Subsequent to the Thursday announcement that Young Guns would be back in 2025, Xtreme One Entertainment President Chris Defendis commented on the move to resume the XFC Young Guns series.
“Knowing the proven history of our Young Guns series and the amount of MMA superstars waiting to be discovered, we identified early on that relaunching Young Guns was our top priority,” Defendis began. “We secured Kill Cliff Fight Club in South Florida to serve as our venue partner, and we already have a great group of athletes ready to fight for their future as the next great rising star in MMA. Following the successful execution of our three arena events in 2024, XFC is ringing in 2025 with a brand-new Young Guns live and a series of events that will be must-watch TV.”
Kill Cliff FC General Manager Gall Discusses XFC Young Guns Partnership
With Kill Cliff FC set to host the first Young Guns event in over three years’ time on Jan. 29, General Manager Jamie Gall took time out to talk about the pact agreed to by XFC Young Guns and the venue.
“We have been impressed with XFC as a promotion for many years now,” Gall began. “After having the opportunity to work with them in 2024, experiencing their professionalism, we’re eager to host Young Guns at our facility. At Kill Cliff FC, we offer the professional environment our athletes deserve and create opportunities outside the norm for this sport. XFC’s vision for Young Guns aligns with ours, as well as the needs of our athletes and MMA athletes globally in search of a promotion to propel them to the next level.”
Chris Defendis Continued
Later on in the press release, Chris Defendis offered up more thoughts on the partnership between XFC and Kill Cliff FC ahead of the XFC Young Guns return late next month.
“We have the team and platform to spotlight the best up-and-coming talent,” he said, “and we’re committed as an organization to also be a partner and a catalyst in the careers of MMA fighters building their profiles and chasing their dreams.”