Weekend winners include Falaniko Vitale, Jason MacDonald, John Alessio, Ryan Ford, Dan Severn

Fighting for the first time in a year and a half, Falaniko Vitale scored a first-round submission victory over fellow UFC vet Kalib Starnes to claim the Hawaiian-based X-1 World Events middleweight title on Saturday.

Vitale, who hadn’t competed since a decision loss to Frank Trigg in October 2008, next fights Murilo “Ninja” Rua at Shine Fights III in May.

Other weekend winners included Jason MacDonald, John Alessio, Ryan Ford, Ricco Rodriguez and Dan Severn. Former UFC fighters Corey Hill and Shonie Carter, though, suffered setbacks.


Fighting for the first time in a year and a half, Falaniko Vitale scored a first-round submission victory over fellow UFC vet Kalib Starnes to claim the Hawaiian-based X-1 World Events middleweight title on Saturday.

Vitale, who hadn’t competed since a decision loss to Frank Trigg in October 2008, next fights Murilo “Ninja” Rua at Shine Fights III in May.

Other weekend winners included Jason MacDonald, John Alessio, Ryan Ford, Ricco Rodriguez and Dan Severn. Former UFC fighters Corey Hill and Shonie Carter, though, suffered setbacks.