XFO 45: Outdoor War 8 Preview

Xtreme Fighting Organization is putting on their 45th event and the eighth Outdoor War event. Outdoor War has become a staple of the summer, signaling the end, but it let’s it go with a fantastic party featuring both amateur and professional mixed martial arts action. The day of action takes place as Sideouts Bar and Grill in Island Lake Illinois and will kick off with the amateur portion of the card.

The pro card at first looks like it would be underrated, but when fight records are compared, the fights look to all vie for a possible fight of the year candidate within the promotion.

Jon Murphy will be taking on Jason Pierce in the night’s main event. Murphy a veteran of XFO holds a record of 9-3 with a promotional record of 5-2. His two-fight losing skid weren’t one-sided losses, but close contests that he nearly won. Pierce meanwhile suffered his first loss nearly a year ago after winning twelve straight. The winning streak included seven finishes and five decisions. After loosing to Cole Williams, Pierce rebounded with a victory over Andre Kase in November. This marks the promotional debut for Pierce.

Guillermo Serment is in for the toughest fight of his career as he takes on former WEC and UFC fighter Mackens Semerzier. Serment started off his career a bit shaky, but has recently put together a three-fight win streak including a title fight finish over James Jenkins at Ring of Combat in June. Semerzier will be fighting for the first time since being cut from the UFC after dropping back-to-back fights to Robert Peralta and Daniel Pineda.

Other notables on the card include Mike Pitz taking on Louis Taylor in what screams a knockout of the night. Both fighters posses heavy hands and neither is afraid to stand and trade with their opponent. Joey Diehl will be looking to rebound after a disappointing loss as he takes on Shawn West, and his teammate Cory Galloway will be looking to do the same against Damian Jeffro.

The previously announced main event between Jeff Curran and Dustin Ortiz was scratched after Curran required surgery on his hand and had to withdraw from the fight.

The full pro card includes:
Jon Murphy vs Jason Pierce
Guillermo Serment vs Mackens Semerzier
Mike Pitz vs Louis Taylor
Joey Diehl vs Shawn West
Cory Galloway vs Damian Jeffro
Jared Bailey vs Quartus Stitt
Phil Williams vs Brandon Wood