Tag: Xplode Fight Series

XFS Owner Gregg Sharp Tries to Defend “Soccer Mom” Booking, Fails Miserably

We’d like to think we played at least a minor role in the video of the soccer mom getting viciously KO’d going viral over the weekend (as well as the ensuing backlash aimed at Xplode Fight Series for allowing it to happen), even though it turned out that a) The woman in question was not a soccer mom, but actual, “professional” fighter Katie Castro and b) the clip was over 6 months old. What can we say? We *need* validation even in it’s smallest, most insignificant form.

In any case, the utter mismatch that was Castro vs. Macfarlane has raised some major questions regarding Xplode Fight Series’ well-documented history of questionable fight booking, with many people (mainly us) calling for the promotion to be held responsible for their disgraceful actions, if not shut down entirely.

Enter XFS owner Gregg Sharp, who attempted to quell the fires surrounding his promotion/the matchup in an interview with the aptly-named CollateralDamageMMA late last week. Without spoiling too much, I will say that his response to the backlash was exactly the kind of sickening, take-no-responsibility bullshit that you’d expect from a guy who allowed the above fight to happen.

The post XFS Owner Gregg Sharp Tries to Defend “Soccer Mom” Booking, Fails Miserably appeared first on Cagepotato.

We’d like to think we played at least a minor role in the video of the soccer mom getting viciously KO’d going viral over the weekend (as well as the ensuing backlash aimed at Xplode Fight Series for allowing it to happen), even though it turned out that a) The woman in question was not a soccer mom, but actual, “professional” fighter Katie Castro and b) the clip was over 6 months old. What can we say? We *need* validation even in it’s smallest, most insignificant form.

In any case, the utter mismatch that was Castro vs. Macfarlane has raised some major questions regarding Xplode Fight Series’ well-documented history of questionable fight booking, with many people (mainly us) calling for the promotion to be held responsible for their disgraceful actions, if not shut down entirely.

Enter XFS owner Gregg Sharp, who attempted to quell the fires surrounding his promotion/the matchup in an interview with the aptly-named CollateralDamageMMA late last week. Without spoiling too much, I will say that his response to the backlash was exactly the kind of sickening, take-no-responsibility bullshit that you’d expect from a guy who allowed the above fight to happen.

His initial defense, I kid you not, is as follows:

I actually thought this would have been a bigger deal 6 months ago the way we seem to have so many “FANS” out there, but I am not naive in the fact that sooner or later a hater or two would jump on to our YouTube account and make something of nothing.

I was never part of my high school’s debate team, but if I was, I’m pretty that the first thing I would have learned would be to not  immediately contradict myself, then write off the offense in question as “something out of nothing.”

“So some dumb broad was nearly beheaded in our organization. Haters gonna hate, bigwhoopwannafightaboutit?”

Do you really think that “Nothing” is the term to use on the video?

Yes I believe that nothing is the correct term to deal with this one. Let’s strip the names and gender away and take an objective look around the world of MMA… A 0-0 fighter debuted against a 0-2 fighter and the knockout was vicious. Does this not happen on every level of MMA short of the UFC? Of course it does.

Ah, the old “Don’t hate the player, hate the game” defense, which, aside from being a completely asinine way of shedding yourself of any responsibility regarding the safety of someone’s life, doesn’t really work when said 0-2 fighter has competed both times under your organization and been KO’d on both occasions in under 1 minute.

“Look, Timmy, it’s not that I want to stick your pledge paddle up your ass sideways, it’s that I have to because tradition. I mean, do you want to be an Alpha Sig or what?!!”

Ilima Macfarlance who makes her Pro debut is a terrific amateur fighter, Katie Castro who at the time is 0-2 is a not so terrific fighter, but a willing and game competitor…Ilima’s opponent pulls out, she has family that has flown in from Hawaii and across the country and we all have a decision to make.

“I mean, what are we going to do? Just pay this clearly superior fighter her win/show money and disappoint the tens of fans who paid to see this? THEY WANT BLOOD DAMMIT!!”

Do you think it was a good match-up?

I am sorry but this happened SIX months ago, we are not going to or can go back and change what transpired. It was a good decision at the time, but it seems that with so many Promotions finding it hard to attract fans and fighters one might assume this is now and issue done more out of trying to defame or discredit XFS so that they can try and re-fill their cards rather than a genuine concern for the sport. Either way I am not going to run from people criticizing or critiquing XFS.

So now it’s…the fans fault that this happened? Rival promotions, maybe? Sharp is acting like this fight was a rare instance of a respected promotion allowing a matchup to slip through the cracks, when in reality it’s just the opposite. If anything, XFS is only notorious for booking ridiculously lopsided matches.

Take Walel Watson, for instance, who followed up his 4-fight stint in the UFC by facing Anthony Moore (0-14) and Joey Apodaca (0-9) in back-to-back XFS appearances. Or Strikeforce/Bellator vet Keith Berry, who fought 0-0 Josh Gibson in what was billed as a middleweight title fight back in 2012. FYI, Gibson’s record currently sits at 0-6, with 5 of those appearances coming by first round stoppage under the XFS banner.

Sharp is essentially trying to claim that by reporting these simple facts, us jelly h8ers are somehow slandering an otherwise noble and revered organization. “But hey, it happened six months ago and has had zero effect on how we do business, so sorry not sorry!”

But people say that if this was a commission show this would not have happened! What do you say to that?

Ok please explain then how Cody Sons who was 0-1 as a pro 0-3 in his last 3 as an ammy, So 0-4 in his last 4 was sanctioned to fight John Paul Elias 3-0 in Bellator 133 in Fresno under CSAC? Are you saying that XFS is now being held to a higher standard than the matchmakers at Bellator and CSAC? Is this not an egregious match up that was actually matched and accepted three weeks prior to the show? Did someone out there other than Cody actually think he was going to win?

“How many times do I have to say this until it makes sense to you people? If enough people agree that infanticide is an acceptable form of entertainment, then what am I suppose to do, *not* make money off of baby murder? My hands are tied!”

So, are you justifying your actions with other promotions? That is a tough justification on any level.

Not at all, I am merely stating the facts. If you are saying that XFS is the only promotion in the world that has kept a fight on the card by working with a last minute fighter then you are crazy. If you are saying that Athletic commissions make sure that this does not happen then you are certifiable. Honestly there are fighters in other promotions that have been built up so that their “promotional hometown hero’s” or the family of the matchmaker/promoter will beat an opponent with a winning record. Now that resonates on all levels of MMA! Making me the center of the witch hunt is extremely humorous!

Right, except you are quite literally justifying your actions based on other promotions, you arrogant, short-sighted dipsh*t. This is more or less the exact same conversation that Tyrion Lannister and Hizdahr zo Loraq were having in last week’s Thrones episode.

““It’s an unpleasant question, but what great thing has ever been accomplished without killing or cruelty?” — Loraq

“It’s easy to confuse what is with what ought to be, especially when what is has worked out in your favor.” — Tyrion

You are Loraq in this instance, Gregg, and I can only pray that you meet a similar fate.

What is the solution then?

Why do I need to create a solution? How about this… introduce me to an Oil tycoon’s son and allow me access to 20 million dollars and I will take XFS to the next level, return your investment with interest and create a new dynamic for all the fighters in Southern California. Sound good? Well let’s be honest that equation did not work out to well for one Texas based promotion did it? Unfortunately I guess I am not that lucky.

“I have proved myself to be nothing but a deplorable, ignorant individual who values putting money in my own pocket over the safety of the people my organization is charged with protecting, but if you give me more money, everything will be better!”

Public opinion at best is slated to a plethora of keyboard warriors and “craven’s who sit at the battles edge” and cast mean-spirited comments with the hopes of hurting someone’s feelings and in the end nothing gets fixed, so we can’t go to a public consensus on it. I guess I could start a GoFundMe account like everyone else that believes that social media begging is a lot better than getting a job and working for your dreams and ask to raise 20 million, nah I would rather work than to beg….

I will continue to run XFS until I feel we have finished our mission and we are ready to move on. If people want to write about me go ahead, I just delete their comments anyway, actually I have staff that does that so please don’t get too excited that you are talking to me.

Wow. Just…wow.

“This isn’t a democracy, and even if it was, your opinions and concerns about FIGHTER SAFETY AND REGULATION are clearly just jealousy manifesting itself in a couple nerdy Youtube comments, so if you’ll excuse me…”

(*throws on headphones*)

“LALALALALALAAA CAN’T HEAR YOU!!!”

Gregg Sharp, you are pond scum.

The post XFS Owner Gregg Sharp Tries to Defend “Soccer Mom” Booking, Fails Miserably appeared first on Cagepotato.

Behold, The Worst MMA T-Shirt of All Time. OF ALL TIME.


(Yes, this is a real shirt, and not a cut-scene from Leisure Suit Larry.)

Today’s jumping spinning hook-kick knockout video raised a couple of uncomfortable questions. For instance: Isn’t XFS the same promotion that was plagued by a record-padding scandal earlier this year? And why was one of the cage posts advertising something called Tomato Can MMA?

The answers to both questions are reflected in the atrocious t-shirt you see above. As a tongue-in-cheek reference to its notorious use of jobbers and palookas, the Xplode Fight Series has launched a charity drive called “Tomato Can MMA,” in which it will (allegedly) donate a can of food to a food bank or homeless shelter for every one of its “Melon” t-shirts that are purchased. (Just $19.99 plus $4.95 shipping!) As you read these words, there’s a homeless guy in Escondido farting out two cans’ worth of sauerkraut, all thanks to the philanthropic souls at XFS.

This is the worst MMA-related t-shirt in history, hands down. The phrase on the shirt — “Don’t let my melons get in the way of your CANS!™” — is cringe-worthy, and basically incoherent when you think about it. (Although I do like the ironic usage of the trademark symbol, as if anybody would steal any of this.) Obviously, the message is printed in comic sans, beloved font of dull children and sociopaths.


(Yes, this is a real shirt, and not a cut-scene from Leisure Suit Larry.)

Today’s jumping spinning hook-kick knockout video raised a couple of uncomfortable questions. For instance: Isn’t XFS the same promotion that was plagued by a record-padding scandal earlier this year? And why was one of the cage posts advertising something called Tomato Can MMA?

The answers to both questions are reflected in the atrocious t-shirt you see above. As a tongue-in-cheek reference to its notorious use of jobbers and palookas, the Xplode Fight Series has launched a charity drive called “Tomato Can MMA,” in which it will (allegedly) donate a can of food to a food bank or homeless shelter for every one of its “Melon” t-shirts that are purchased. (Just $19.99 plus $4.95 shipping!) As you read these words, there’s a homeless guy in Escondido farting out two cans’ worth of sauerkraut, all thanks to the philanthropic souls at XFS.

This is the worst MMA-related t-shirt in history, hands down. The phrase on the shirt — “Don’t let my melons get in the way of your CANS!™” — is cringe-worthy, and basically incoherent when you think about it. (Although I do like the ironic usage of the trademark symbol, as if anybody would steal any of this.) Obviously, the message is printed in comic sans, beloved font of dull children and sociopaths.

As for the art…man, it’s not good. You’ve got a cage filled with a pyramid of tomato cans, a googly-eyed fighter walking up some stairs who appears to have been pre-Nelmarked, and a dozen other crudely-drawn white people. Only one poor soul has paid the extra charge for cageside seating, but boy oh boy, is he getting his money’s worth, as evidenced by the distance of his tongue from his mouth.

Until today, the title of Worst MMA T-Shirt Ever Created was proudly held by Alpha Male Shit’s “PC” tee. But I could actually picture a handful of morons wearing that one. Nobody in their right mind is paying $25 to rock “Melons.” Nobody.

If there is a worse MMA-related t-shirt actually available for purchase, please inform us in the comments section or shoot us a link on twitter @cagepotatomma.

UFC Signee Dashon Johnson, Xplode Fight Series, and The Practice of Padding Records to Produce Talent


(Say what you will about Dashon’s qualifications, but there’s no denying that the dude packs an epic punch-face.)

Meet Dashon Johnson, a.k.a “Fly Boy” a.k.a the latest undefeated “prospect” to be signed by the UFC. A former professional boxer who amassed a by definition mediocre record of 15-15, Johnson has gone 9-0 as an MMA fighter and was recently booked to face TUF Nations washout Jake Matthews at Fight Night 43. I know, you’ve probably already marked this fight down on your calendars.

Without getting into a whole “Royston Wee” thing again, or beating the dead horse that is the firings/non-signings of guys like Jake Shields and Ben Askren, I will say with full confidence that Mr. Johnson has perhaps the most padded MMA record of a UFC fighter since Jason Reinhardt. Don’t believe me? Well thankfully, BloodyElbow’s Mookie Alexander and Pro MMANow’s Jack Bratcher have done a little investigating into the record of “Fly Boy,” and here’s what they found.

The combined record of Johnson’s opponents to date is 13-39, with 12 of those wins belonging to one fighter, Brady Harrison. Even worse, at the time Johnson faced each of the tomato cans his record has been padded with, these were their records (in chronological order):


(Say what you will about Dashon’s qualifications, but there’s no denying that the dude packs an epic punch-face.)

Meet Dashon Johnson, a.k.a “Fly Boy” a.k.a the latest undefeated “prospect” to be signed by the UFC. A former professional boxer who amassed a by definition mediocre record of 15-15, Johnson has gone 9-0 as an MMA fighter and was recently booked to face TUF Nations washout Jake Matthews at Fight Night 43. I know, you’ve probably already marked this fight down on your calendars.

Without getting into a whole “Royston Wee” thing again, or beating the dead horse that is the firings/non-signings of guys like Jake Shields and Ben Askren, I will say with full confidence that Mr. Johnson has perhaps the most padded MMA record of a UFC fighter since Jason Reinhardt. Don’t believe me? Well thankfully, BloodyElbow’s Mookie Alexander and Pro MMANow’s Jack Bratcher have done a little investigating into the record of “Fly Boy,” and here’s what they found.

The combined record of Johnson’s opponents to date is 13-39, with 12 of those wins belonging to one fighter, Brady Harrison. Even worse, at the time Johnson faced each of the tomato cans his record has been padded with, these were their records (in chronological order):

Tommy Franklin (0-0)
Jordan Delano (0-4)
Kenneth Johnson (0-0)
Randall Adams (0-0)
Phelan Fleming (0-1)
Kenny Kilgore (1-3)
Brady Harrison (11-10)
Ray Carter (0-1)
Jordan Delano (0-10, rematch of first fight)

With the exception of two fighters, Johnson has finished all of his opponents via TKO or submission inside the first two minutes. It might shock you to learn that the only man to go the distance with Johnson was Harrison.

As noted by both Alexander and Bratcher, all of Johnson’s fights have taken place under the Xplode Fight Series banner. Xplode Fight Series, for those of you who might not be familiar, is a California-based pro-am organization who holds the majority of their cards on Indian reservations. They also happen to have a management company, and just so happen to house the facility that Johnson trains out of, Team Xplode MMA.

Unfortunately, it would appear that Johnson is not the only Xplode MMA fighter who has received, let’s call it favorable treatment, while fighting for Xplode. You see, Xplode Fight Series is less in the MMA business than they are the squash match business — one look over the fighters in their stable reveals more padded records than I care to count and more tomato cans than an Andy Warhol painting. Essentially, Xplode MMA/Fight Series is setting up their “premiere” fighters against nobodies in the hopes that they will be signed by the UFC for a regional level show, which their management company will then presumably profit from. It takes “conflict of interest” to an entirely different level.

Here are just a few examples of the promotion’s shady matchmaking practices in recent years, per Alexander’s report:

Titan FC bantamweight Walel Watson previously spent 4 fights in the UFC before he was cut in late 2012. Watson fought twice in XFS after his release, winning both bouts in a combined 99 seconds. The current combined records of the opponents he defeated? A dismal 0-23.

Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Keith Berry (15-13) defeated 0-0 Josh Gibson in 2012 in what was listed as a middleweight championship fight. Berry later triumphed over Edward Darby, who came into the fight at 0-3 and is now 0-15. Following this win, Berry was signed by Bellator, where he’s lost his last 3 and missed weight for 1 of his only 2 wins.

Light heavyweight Patrick Cummins TKO’d Ricky Pulu (0-3) on an XFS show last year and was picked at the last minute to fight Daniel Cormier in February at UFC 170.

Last but not least, UFC flyweight Danny Martinez (16-5) had two appearances in XFS back in 2012, winning by 1st round TKO against Nick Boyd and Rich Bonafidini, both of whom also were 0-0 at the time, and Martinez was even allowed to wear wrestling shoes. Martinez was later selected for TUF 18 and later signed on late notice for UFC 169 and is scheduled to fight again on June 7th against Scott Jorgensen.

And it gets worse. So, so much worse.

Edward Darby, the 0-15 fighter who was TKO’d by Keith Barry, fought ten times in 2013, (six under the Xplode banner) and dropped all of his fights by first round TKO or submission. How Darby was cleared to compete in fights as close as two weeks apart despite getting TKO’d is anybody’s guess, but it’s clear that Xplode is in neither the competitive MMA business nor the safety-concerned MMA business. As I spoke of regarding the disastrous amatuer MMA scene in NY yesterday, the fault for accepting these fights lies at least partially on the fighters themselves, but still, it’s goddamn disheartening to see a promotion so willing to forgo the basic safety concerns of the guys they are profiting off.

Does this mean that Johnson is destined to washout of the UFC almost immediately? I won’t say that much, as Royston Wee has already proved me wrong in that regard. But as Alexander notes, the UFC willingness to sign guys like Johnson (while simultaneously turning down guys like Askren) “is real telling about who they’re willing to bring on board just to be $8k/$8k fodder on Fight Pass.”

It always comes back to Fight Pass. God damn you, Fight Pass.

–J. Jones