Tag: XFC

Press Release – Nate Jolly feels he is ready for the big time. With an impressive 10-3 record Jolly has paid his dues as a professional fighter and feels he has earned the right to main event XFC 14 against one of the most notorious lightweights of all time, Jamie Varner. The two men will meet on October 21st in the XFC cage live on HDNet in Orlando, FL.

Jolly knows that a win over Varner would legitimize his career among casual MMA fans but the Cincinnati native feels he’s just getting started.

“I look at XFC 14 as my coming out party,” explained Jolly. “I am really excited for the opportunity Mr. Prisco and the XFC have given me. I will have the chance to fight one of the toughest lightweights of all time and show the world exactly why ‘Ladies Love’ Nate Jolly. I want people to see what I’m all about. I feel like I am an exciting fighter who goes out there and puts on a show and has a good time doing it.”

Fighting out of Team Oxendine in Johnson City TN, Jolly is regarded as one of the best lightweights in the South and is one of the highest ranked 155ers in the State of Tennessee according to AroundTheOctagon.com. With a solid wrestling base and a surprisingly slick ground game, Jolly can have his way with opponents once the fight goes to the ground. But according to Jolly, he’d really like to get a knockout.

“I am very comfortable with my hands,” said Jolly. “A lot of people think of me as a wrestler because I wrestled in college. That’s fine, but I feel I have knockout power and I don’t mind standing. I have really been working on my footwork and if it stays standing I know I’ll be ready. Varner has had a lot of knockout wins and is known for his power but if you underestimate me and I catch you, it’s light’s out.”

“I know Varner is dangerous and I know he’s fighting for his career. A lot of people think his best days are behind him but he’s a former WEC champ for a reason. He has heavy hands and he is always looking for a submission. I think he will be stronger than me but I will be more explosive and more powerful. I’m not underestimating him at all. I know he’s a tough guy and he’s looking to punch me in the face. I expect him to hit me with everything and the kitchen sink in Orlando.”

XFC President, John Prisco, is looking forward to Jolly vs. Varner and is excited to see how it goes down. “This is a huge fight for both men. Nate is fighting for respect and wants to prove he belongs in the main event. Varner wants to show the world he still is relevant and that he is still one of the best lightweights in the world. I expect Varner to have a chip on his shoulder at XFC 14 when he steps into the cage. This is really an exciting matchup.”

XFC 14 will take place at The UFC Arena in Orlando, Florida on October 21st and will air live on HDNet.

To learn more about the XFC, please visit www.officialxfc.com, like them on Facebook and follow the promotion on Twitter.

Press Release – (Tampa, FL) The largest MMA promotion in the Southeast United States, Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC), recently announced that former WEC champion Jamie Varner will take on Nate Jolly in the main event of XFC 14 Friday, October 21st at the UCF Arena in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to this exciting main event “Resurrection” will also feature some of the best MMA prospects from around the country looking to make a name for themselves live on HDNet.

According to XFC President John Prisco, “We are very excited about XFC 14. Jamie Varner and Nate Jolly is going to be a war. Those are two of the most explosive lightweights in the world and I think it could be the fight of the night. In addition to the main event I believe we have some of the most dynamic fighters from all over the United States on our undercard. I think from top to bottom this is probably the best fight card we have ever put together and I’m sure the fans in Orlando and those watching on HDNet will agree.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Heavyweight prospects Scott Barrett (12-2) and Carmelo Marrero (13-5-1) will collide in the XFC cage. Barrett is looking to show the MMA community he is one of the top heavyweights in the world but will have to get through the tough UFC veteran to do so.

*Marianna Kheyfets (3-0) vs. Molly Helsel (8-12-1), Josh Clark (5-1) vs. Reggie Pena (8-5), Elijah Harshbargar (6-3) vs. Charles Blanchard (9-2), Mike Bernhard (9-2) vs. Mikey Gomez (11-8), and Bruce Connors (8-3) vs. Lawson McClure (7-2) round out the main card.

“I’m really excited to have Marianna Kheyfets back,” exclaimed Prisco. “Marianna destroyed Kim Couture at XFC 11 and submitted her in the first round. We also have Josh Clark on the card. Josh has been running through everyone in his path on shows in Kentucky and we are going to really test him against a kid who knows how to finish fights, Reggie Pena. Charles Blanchard is another fighter I’m excited to have on the card. Charles is best known for being on The Ultimate Fighter but a lot of people don’t know that he also defeated Douglas Lima. We have Charles matched up with Elijah Harshbarger, a slick BJJ practitioner from Virginia.”

Announcing XFC 14 will be none other than the voice of the XFC, Christopher James. The charismatic sports announcer, known for his ability to get the crowd into the action, has been with the promotion since 2008.

XFC 14 “Resurrection” will take place on Friday, October 21st at the UCF Arena in Orlando, Florida. Doors open at 5:00pm and fights begin at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22004721982252AA?artistid=1220910&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=830). VIP tables are also available through XFC Corporate. Please call 813-625-1672 for more information. To learn more about the XFC please visit www.officialxfc.com, like them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/officialxfc and follow the promotion on Twitter, www.twitter.com/officialxfc.

*Card subject to change

Press Release – The XFC today officially announced a lightweight showdown between Nate Jolly and former WEC champ Jamie Varner that will be the main event of XFC 14. The event will take place at The UFC Arena in Orlando, Florida on October 21st and will air live on HDNet.

“Jolly vs. Varner is going to be a great fight,” said XFC President John Prisco. “Jolly is one of the top lightweights in the southeast and I know he’s coming in with something to prove. He’s very well rounded and is a dangerous opponent for Jamie. But we all know Jamie Varner is not going to roll over for anyone. Varner has fought some of the toughest guys in the world and he always puts on a show. This fight is going to be explosive and I am proud to have it as our main event at XFC 14 in Orlando.”

Jamie Varner is one of the most notorious lightweights in recent memory. Known for his propensity for trash-talking Varner has made a living backing it up in the cage. With spectacular KO wins over Rob McCullough and Marcus Hicks, Varner made a name for himself in the WEC and held the WEC lightweight championship from 2008 to 2010. ‘C-4′ is best known for his feud with Donald Cerrone that produced two of the most exciting fights in WEC history. Only 26 years old Varner is in the prime of his career and is looking to show the world that he is still one of the best lightweights in MMA.

“I don’t take any opponent lightly,” explained Varner. “I see some areas in Nate’s game where I am stronger and can take advantage. I have more overall experience and know what it feels like to be under the bright lights. I have confidence everytime I step into the cage because that’s just who I am. Nate is a tough guy, I will definitely need to be at my best against him.”

Varner added, “Headlining XFC 14 on a network that has hardcore MMA fans routinely tuning in is great. I have the chance to showcase my skills to a very knowledgeable audience. I plan to put on an impressive show October 21st.”

A product of Team Oxendine out of Johnson City, Tennessee Nate Jolly has built his reputation throughout the southeast as a top 155er with his strong wrestling background and vicious ground and pound attack. Despite an impressive 10-3 record Jolly will enter the cage knowing that he is the underdog with something to prove.

“I’m coming in to put on a show,” said Jolly. “I know Jamie Varner is a legend. He’s a dynamic fighter but so am I. I don’t take him lightly and I have nothing but respect for him but I see this as my coming out party. I’m really looking forward to XFC 14. This is without a doubt the biggest fight of my career and the fans on HDNet will get to see what Nate Jolly is all about.”

In addition to Varner vs. Jolly, XFC 14 will also feature Scott Barrett vs. Chase Gormley in a heavyweight showdown. The rest of the card will be announced over the next few weeks.

To learn more about the XFC please visit www.officialxfc.com, and follow the promotion on Twitter, www.twitter.com/officialxfc.