Daniel Virginio beat James Gray at XFCi 10
This Saturday night (04) will be marked in the history of XFC in Brazil. At the inauguration of the XFC International Center, in the Casa Verde neighborhood, in São Paulo, the organization crowned Daniel Virginio and Viviane Sucuri as champions of the second season's tournaments. The Brazilian athletes defeated, respectively, the North American James Gray, in the bantamweight category (up to 61,2kg) and the Finnish Vuokko Katainen, in the women's strawweight category (up to 52,2kg). Virginio, who knocked out Gray in the first round, was announced to fight for the belt against Fernando Vieira, on a date yet to be announced.
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In addition to the two champions, two more tournament finals were also defined: among the lightweights (up to 70,3kg), Willian Cilli submitted the Egyptian Mohamed Badawy in the first round and will face Fernando dos Santos, who defeated Rubenilton Pereira in a unanimous decision of the side judges. In the featherweight category (up to 65,8kg), Guilherme Faria and Missael Silva will face each other in the final. Faria and Missael beat Ranfi Rivas and Pedro Falcao, respectively, in the unanimous decision of the judges.
“They were great fights, which enhanced a very special night for XFC”, analyzed president Myron Molotky. “The audience was enchanted by the event, our philosophy and fighters, and anyone who watched the broadcast could see how we care about the smallest details. Inside the hexagon, Daniel Virginio achieved a great feat by defeating a fighter who had never gone beyond the first round in more than 15 fights between professional and amateur, which is James Gray. He deserves the title shot.”
Virginio ruins North American's party on historic holiday
The 4th of July is one of the three most important holidays in the United States. On the same level as Christmas and Thanksgiving, Independence Day was James Gray's motivation to reach the final of the XFC bantamweight tournament against Daniel Virginio. Gray managed to get the takedown and the mount, and almost ended up in an armbar. When Virginio got up, he landed a nice full punch, knocking his opponent down, and ended the fight with a series of blows from above, delivering a technical knockout.
“I knew that James was going to try to put me down the entire time and, therefore, I came prepared”, analyzed Virginio. “This title is the result of a lot of work, I trained all the submissions he likes to do, I knew that if he got into a difficult situation he would be able to get out. He also knew that if he stayed on his feet for any longer, changing, he would get knocked out. I’m very happy and looking forward to fighting for the belt.”
Viviane Sucuri wins tough fight against Finn
In a very strategic fight, Viviane Sucuri and Vuokko Katainen divided the public's opinions. In the first round, the fight remained tight with both seeking the clinch, and in the second round the Brazilian managed to take down with the guard passed, and almost managed to land a guillotine choke. The Finn, in a very technical way, reversed the position and worked on top with ground and pound until the saving bell sounded. The same situation was repeated in the third round, with Viviane taking down and Vuokko reversing to strike from above, but in the judges' unanimous decision the Brazilian was considered the winner by greater volume.
Guilherme Faria and Willian Cilli stand out in the semifinals
Among the semi-finalists of the second season tournaments, Guilherme Faria and Willian Cilli stand out. Farias starred in the best fight of the night, against Venezuelan Ranfi Rivas, abusing low kicks, marking his opponent's leg, and with moments of frank striking. The clear victory, in the unanimous decision of the judges, was praised by the XFC board. Cilli, a Muay Thai specialist, achieved his second consecutive submission at the event, this time over Egyptian Mohamed Badawy, still in the first round, with a rear naked choke.
XFCi 10 marks the end of the partnership with RedeTV
After one year and five months, the partnership between XFC and RedeTV came to an end. “We are grateful for the partnership with RedeTV, which allowed us to enter the Brazilian market and show the event to the public on open TV. We gave the broadcaster a great opportunity to create an MMA fan audience, to show great fights and great shows. It was a fruitful partnership for both sides, but now we want to grow even more and continue showing our commitment to Brazil”, said Myron Molotky. The franchise will announce news soon.
XFCi 10 results
Under 61,2kg: Daniel Virginio beat James Gray by technical knockout at 3min and 59sec of R1;
Under 52,2kg: Viviane Pereira beat Vuokko Katainen in a unanimous decision by the judges;
Under 65,7kg: Guilherme Faria beat Ranfi Rivas in a unanimous decision by the judges
Under 70,3kg: Willian Cili submitted Mohamed Hassan Badawy with a rear naked choke at 4min and 13sec of R1;
Under 65,7kg: Missael Silva won Pedro Falcao in the unanimous decision of the judges;
Under 70,3kg: Fernando dos Santos beat Rubenilton Pereira in a unanimous decision by the judges;
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