2018 XFN 21

2018 XFN 21

Aug 26, 2018
Results

XFN 21 brought Vagner Rocha in a featured combat jiu-jitsu match and much more to FloCombat Sunday, Aug. 26. Here's what went down.

It doesn’t get much better than combat sports on a Sunday night, does it?

On Sunday evening, Xtreme Fighting Nation (XFN) made its FloCombat debut in style. 

XFN 21, a 16-fight mixed combat card, featured a night of mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, and most uniquely of all, combat grappling.

The main event was in the latter of the three disciplines, with UFC veteran and grappling wizard Vagner Rocha battling BJJ brown belt Alex Marin.

The third-degree BJJ black belt Rocha has taken on the best competition the sport has to offer, including names like Garry Tonon and Lucas Lepri.

The talent gap between a brown belt and a third degree black-belt is a large one, and Rocha put that fact on full display Sunday evening.

In seemingly effortless fashion, Rocha dominated Marin. After securing a lightning-fast takedown, Rocha showcased his MMA experience, landing a handful of open-palmed slaps to his downed opponent.

From there, Rocha took the back, mocking Marin with taps to the side of the head—grinning all the way like a child playing the bongo drums for the first time. Grabbing the mouth of Marin to block off air circulation, Rocha tapped his XFN 21 foe via a submission the cage-side commentators could only describe as “smother."

After the bout, Rocha took to the mic to express his sincere passion for the sport of jiu jitsu. The adopted Floridian spoke of a new promotion he’s starting, Major League Jiu Jitsu. For Rocha, the hope is that unlike today, maybe someday the next generation of martial artists will be able to succeed and prosper financially off the grappling arts.

In the co-main event, XFN crowned a new women’s bantamweight champion. After almost being submitted in the first round, Claudia Zamora rallied to defeat Griffin Fisk by three-round unanimous decision.

Also on the main card, the XFN lightweight tournament semifinals played out in thrilling fashion. In the first of two 155-pound affairs, Vik Dixit defeated Franklin Ramirez. The bout was a close one to call, with many in attendance believing Ramirez had done enough to win.

In the second tournament bout, Devon Dixon defeated Ryan Conforti in brutal and dominant fashion.

Thirty pounds below the lightweights, flyweights Roy Echevarria and Daniel Michel squared off, and the result brought the crowd to its feet. Moments into the bout, Echevarria landed a series of piston-like right hands that sent Michel reeling, leaving the referee no chance but to stop the fight. 

On the preliminary portion of the card, Dylan Gordon, brother of UFC lightweight Jared Gordon, won his amateur MMA debut. The New Yorker looked good early, but the fight ended before it even got started. His opponent, Dominique Williams, suffered a nasty shoulder injury just minutes into the fight.

Full XFN 21 Results (click any fight to watch replay) 

Combat Grappling Main Event

Vagner Rocha def.  Alex Marin by submission (smother)

Amateur Mixed Martial Arts:

Women’s Bantamweight Bout*: Claudia Zamora def. Griffin Fisk by unanimous decision

Flyweight Bout: Roy Echeverria def. Daniel Michel by TKO (punches) in Round 1

Lightweight Bout: Devon Dixon def. Ryan Conforti by TKO (punches) in Round 1

Bantamweight Bout: Felipe Valentim def. Jay Ciotti by split decision

Lightweight Bout: Vik Dixit def. Franklin Ramirez by split decision

Lightweight Bout: Brynnen McIver def. Travis Hill by unanimous decision

Featherweight Bout: Dylan Gordon def. Dominique Williams by TKO (injury) in Round 1

Featherweight Bout: Brandon Carol def. James Smith by TKO (punches) in Round 1

Catchweight Bout (150lbs): Frank Noble def. Anthony Love by submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1

Lightweight Bout: Stephen Miller def. Daniel Fields by TKO (punches) in Round 1

Amateur Kickboxing:

Welterweight Bout: Fernando Reyes def. Jorge Molina by split decision

Combat Grappling:

Justin Jimenez def. Eshtram Jacobo Gavida by unanimous decision

Robert Torres def. Lazaro Perez by unanimous decision

Tim Travarca def. Alex Cejas by unanimous decision

Jay Ciotti def. Kevin Granados by unanimous decision

* = XFN Championship Fight


Event Info
XFN 21 brings MMA and Combat jiu-jitsu live to FloCombat Sunday, Aug. 26, from Coral Springs, Florida. Featuring UFC vet and jiu-jitsu standout Vagner Rocha and the beginning of both the XFN lightweight and flyweight tournaments, this event is sure to bring all the MMA action you crave.