XFE 24 (Hobbs v. Heckman): Is a UFC call-up awaiting the winner?
As I spend more and more time around the sport of mixed martial arts, I am coming to the realization that it’s not about the toughest guys fighting the toughest guys, in order to get to the top. Sometimes it’s tough guys fighting not so tough guys, in order to pad a fight record. Other times, it’s not so tough guys avoiding every tough guy out there, in order to do the same thing, get that record looking spotless. However, the Main Event fight at XFE 24, this Saturday, is neither of those cases. Terrell Hobbs (7-5) vs. Scott Heckman (15-3) is a matchup of TWO tough guys, each of whom have a legitimate shot at a UFC career. Neither fighter is afraid to face the other, even though a loss could mean a career setback, as they climb that ladder to the biggest fight promotion in the world, the UFC.
Hardcore fight fans should be very familiar with both of these Featherweight fighters. Casual fans, who may not know these two warriors, need to be excited about this matchup. Thankfully, for whatever level of MMA fan you are, Xtreme Fight Events has answered our calls and wishes and put this fight together, for Saturday June 8th, at the Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA.
These fighters match up, stylistically, very well. Both were collegiate wrestlers, Hobbs at UNC-Pembroke and Heckman at East Stroudsburg. Both fighters are very powerful on their feet and on the ground, each have great cardio, workout at top gyms and both are highly ranked in their respective States. According to FightMatrix.com, Terrell Hobbs is the #1 Featherweight in VA and Scott Heckman is the #3 Featherweight in PA. How will this fight unfold, with two fighters that are both good on the ground and standing up? Who knows, but that’s why every MMA fan should be dialed in to this fight.
The AMA Fight Club product and current XFE Featherweight Champ, Heckman, will be the hometown favorite and will be looking to run his winning streak to eight in a row, as “The Animal” has not tasted defeat since September of 2011. Unlike some, Heckman’s record is legit. Scott’s been a very active fighter, having already fought twice in 2013 and averaging about 5 fights per year, since 2010. He’s faced many tough fighters only losing to a UFC veteran and two Bellator veterans (Dustin Pague, Joel Roberts and “Popo” Bezerra, respectively).
Terrell Hobbs is a fighter whose record does not show it, but is a very dangerous fighter on the brink of stardom. The Petersburg, VA native and MMA Institute product, Hobbs, is only boasting a 7-5 record, but is on five fight win streak, after starting his pro career 2-5. Hobbs hasn’t fought in 2013, as his March fight vs. UFC vet Mackens Semerzier was scrapped due to a Semerzier illness. However, he fought seven times in 2012, with his last loss coming at the hands of Will Martinez at Bellator 65, in April of last year. The Semerzier fight was a major let down for “The Hollywood Hobbit”, but he’s been able to channel that disappointment into this training camp and coming on the heels of his win at Bellator 83 against Brylan Van Artsdalen, is a very confident fighter going into this clash.
XFE 24 Main Event Fighter Comparison
|
HOBBS |
vs. |
HECKMAN |
|
| HEIGHT |
5’7″ |
5’6″ |
|
| WEIGHT |
Featherweight |
Featherweight |
|
| AGE |
27 |
29 |
|
| RECORD |
7 Wins, 5 Losses |
15 Wins, 3 Losses |
|
| FIGHTING OUT OF |
MMA Institute (Richmond, VA) |
AMA Fight Club (Whippany, NJ) |
|
| COMMON OPPONENTS |
Brylan Van Artsdalen (W) Casey Johnson (L) Neil Johnson (W) |
Brylan Van Artsdalen (W) Casey Johnson (W) Neil Johnson (W) |
|
| VETERAN OF |
Bellator (2) |
Bellator (3) |
XFE 24’s Hobbs vs. Heckman is going to be a scorcher. Both guys are entering the primes of their careers, on substantial win streaks and hungry for greater success. With Heckman facing a fighter with the resume’ of Hobbs, including two Bellator fights coupled with his current win streak, a win by Heckman could mean an instant jump up to the UFC, as he has run through just about all the local competition he can face. Hobbs’ journey to the UFC might take a short time longer. If Hobbs is able to take the gold from Heckman, it would mean Terrell’s first belt and should mean only 2 or 3 wins away from a UFC shot, depending on the competition he faces. Quality of competition shouldn’t be a problem, however, as his name continues to grow, with every fight. A win over Heckman and his Bellator experience should place “The Hollywood Hobbit” on the radars of other top regional fighters. With either result, the winner will undoubtedly be the fans.
If you would like to learn more about these XFE fighters, please visit the links below:
Terrell Hobbs on Facebook / Twitter
Scott Heckman on Facebook / Twitter
Category: MMA
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I host the MMA radio show Pure Adrenaline and have been covering the sport for years.Subscribe
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XFE 24s Hobbs vs. Heckman is going to be a scorcher. Both guys are entering the primes of their careers, on substantial win streaks and hungry for greater success. With Heckman facing a fighter with the resume of Hobbs, including two Bellator fights coupled with his current win streak, a win by Heckman could mean an instant jump up to the UFC, as he has run through just about all the local competition he can face. Hobbs journey to the UFC might take a short time longer. If Hobbs is able to take the gold from Heckman, it would mean Terrells first belt and should mean only 2 or 3 wins away from a UFC shot, depending on the competition he faces. Quality of competition shouldnt be a problem, however, as his name continues to grow, with every fight. A win over Heckman and his Bellator experience should place The Hollywood Hobbit on the radars of other top regional fighters. With either result, the winner will undoubtedly be the fans.