Well yet another year has come and gone, 2012 was an odd year for MMA but the year will not easily be forgotten. This year saw the UFC all over network TV, Bellator stumble its way into next year and smaller promotions like RFA, LFC and XFC make a name for themselves. Unfortunately it also saw Strikeforce take a nosedive and the UFC cancel an event for the first time.
While it might not be as prestigious as a UFC or Bellator title, the XFC Lightweight title changed hands last Friday, yet made quite a stir in its transition from former to present champion. This isn’t the kind of title that generates buzz, and while the bout itself was good, it wasn’t the kind of affair that had Fight Of The Year written all over it. Why all the talk though? Enter congenital amputee Nick Newell to the championship circle.
This past week in MMA was a memorable one. The inspirational story of Nick Newell continues to grow as he won the XFC lightweight title, while the UFC put on a great free card on FOX. Throw in the highs and lows from Bellator 83 as well as all the MMA news this past week and you had yourself a stacked week.
Last night was another crowded Friday night of mixed martial arts, with Bellator 83, TUF 16 and XFC 21: Night of Champions 2 on AXS TV. The final XFC card of 2012 was headlined by a lightweight title fight between Eric Reynolds and one of the best stories to come out of MMA in 2012, Nick Newell. The one-armed fighter rightfully garnered the bulk of the media coverage leading up to the event, but XFC 21 was a complete fight card.
Friday night in Nashville “Notorious” Nick Newell takes on Eric “It’s a Wrap” Reynolds in the XFC 21: Night of Champions 2 main event. Their lightweight bout will be for the promotions vacant lightweight champion, which was vacated over two years ago by Junior Assuncao. Five other main card bouts will lead into the XFC 21 main event title fight which airs live on AXS TV starting at 7pm Pt / 10pm ET.
Last night’s XFC 19 took place at Charlotte’s Grady Cole Center with a main event put together just days before fight night. Just days ago the XFC 19 main event was scheduled as Corey Hill vs. Mike Bronzoulis but last night’s headliner ended up being Roger Carroll vs. Nicolae Cury.
When you think about the XFC, what comes to mind? If you are a red-blooded American male, chances are the name Marianna Kheyfets will cross your thoughts. Nick Newell, an inspirational story to any MMA fan, is another name that will surely come up. After a successful debut for the XFC in December, MMA fans have watched Newell’s fight at XFC 15 on Youtube over 1.5 million times. While Kheyfets has defeated her last three opponents, since joining the XFC. Both are currently undefeated
Friday’s XFC 15: Tribute event treated MMA fans to a rather impressive performance from a fighter that sets new standards for inspiration in the sport, ‘Notorious’ Nick Newell. Newell’s emotionally charged performance at XFC 15 was the result of years of dealing with adversity due to a congenital birth defect that left him without half of his left arm.
UFC on FOX 9 Weigh in Photo Gallery
Photo gallery from the UFC on FOX 9 weigh-ins featuring the UFC flyweight championship bout between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Also on the card are local favorites Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Danny Castillo and Roger Bowling.
Bellator 100 Weigh-in Pictures
Last night the fighters for tonight’s Bellator 100 stepped onto the scales with all 24 fighters making weight. The historic 100th event for Bellator takes places tonight from the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona and features an all welterweight main card on Spike TV.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
