...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Columnist
The largest local promotion in Illinois, Xtreme Fight Organization - better known as XFO - has signed a deal that will see them reach over nine million homes in Chicago, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa via Comcast Sportsnet starting next Monday July 1. They will begin by airing a series of one hour long "Best of XFO" episodes at 8PM CT, with two back to back episodes airing for their debut.
These episodes will feature the best fights from XFO's lengthy history, including fighters like; Chael Sonnen, Clay Guida, Jeff Curran, Pat Curran, Bart Palaszewski, Felice Herrig, Jens Pulver, Terry Martin, Eric "Red" Schafer, Jamie Varner, and Roger Huerta. Play by play commentary on the series will be done by ESPN 1000's very own Ray "The Voice Of Voices" Flores, to whom I have given that nickname because well, simply put – he is the best. The series will feature a vast number of bouts from the many years of XFO's history, and could prove to be the biggest stepping stone XFO has gained footing on yet.
XFO is headed by Dan Lardy, the owner, founder, and promoter, who has put blood, sweat, and tears into this company to get it where it is now. He has run an incredible number of events since its debut and will continue to do so. One thing will change, though. Beginning on August 10 with XFO's annual Outdoor War card at Sideouts Bar in Island Lake, Ill. they will be broadcasting their cards live on Comcast Sportsnet as well. This will give the local up and coming stars a fantastic chance to have their skills seen by a much larger group of fans than can fit into one of the many venues frequently sold out by XFO.
Outdoor War will see bouts featuring Joey "Real" Diehl, who most recently won a dominant submission in XFC; Kenny Booker, who is coming off of a bout in Bellator; and numerous others including present Bellator fighter Felice Herrig, who will take part in a muay thai fight as part of the card. It's safe to say that Dan Lardy has gone to all reaches to make sure everyone wants to see this card, especially with it being their television debut.
There is another key to the puzzle as well; XFO will also be starting their Hall of Fame at Outdoor War, and it will be a part of their broadcast. The four members who will start the hall of fame are my good friend and mentor Jeff "Big Frog" Curran, UFC contender Clay Guida, Bellator Champion Pat Curran, and UFC veteran and knockout artist Bart "Bartimus" Palaszewski.
I personally believe that they have picked the best four possible candidates for the hall of fame, and I can't wait to see the ceremony. XFO has become my personal favorite on the local scene because they constantly deliver exciting cards with great fighters and a fresh crop of talent, now those in the area can share in my joy. As always, I will be in attendance reporting live from Outdoor War, but tune in to Comcast Sportsnet to watch this organization present you with their best fights of all time!
Follow XFO on Twitter @XFOMMA And Me; @BradMMATorch
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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