Daniel Vizcaya drove over sixteen hours to compete for an opportunity of a lifetime. On Saturday, June 10th alongside his coach from Full Mount MMA, Vizcaya was put through several rounds battling each step against over a hundred other hopefuls for a contract to compete on an upcoming XFC card. After ten hours, it was decided, that he was deserving a televised fight and it made the sixteen hour drive well worth it.

Entering the Fighting Arts Academy in Springfield, MA, home to XFC fighter Nick Newell, there were over a hundred hopefuls mixed in weight classes and gender anxious to earn their spot. The rules of the audition were simple, at any time they could tap you on the shoulder and say you were out, and just that fast it was over for you.

The first round saw two minutes of pad work to show what you had. Few people were eliminated in this round as it was really just to determine if you had the correct foot work and striking ability.

Then everyone was separated by weight class. Flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight were all grouped together; as were light heavyweight and heavyweights. There were a good number of lightweight and welterweights, but Vizcaya was one of two middleweights. They both were given the option to work with the smaller guys or the bigger guys. Vizcaya opted to work with the heavyweights as there were no light heavyweights in the room.

Outsized by at least 40 pounds, Vizcaya then had to showcase how good he truly was. The second round was just jiu jitsu positioning; escaping guard, control of your opponent, etc. While it wasn’t his forte, his wrestling base was able to help him enough to pass this round.

Then it was time to showcase his skills. In the third round he took every one of his opponents down, almost at will. His opponents tried and tried, but could not get him to the matt. The fourth round was a scramble from a wizzer position and like the previous round he took everyone down but was never put on his own butt.

The fifth round people started to take notice of Vizcaya as it was a single leg takedown drill. Both fighters would start in a single leg attempt, and Vizcaya always got the takedown. But what impressed people the most, was when he scooped up a super heavyweight and had him over his shoulder. The crowd called for a slam, but Vizcaya showed professionalism by putting him down gently.

After this fifth round, a lot of cuts were made. The hundred or so hopefuls were now down to just ten men and six women. Vizcaya again was paired with a heavyweight for the last two rounds. The sixth round was Muay Thai only sparring. Vizcaya, the shorter and smaller fighter, decided to use his speed and try and jump in and out to avoid anything his opponent could throw. It wasn’t completely successful, but it was enough to keep him in for the seventh round.

The final round was sparring again, but this time it was mma sparring. Vizcaya was now able to use all of the tools in his belt, including wrestling. He took his opponent down five times in the two minutes. It was during this round that XFC President John Prisco knew he had to give Vizcaya a televised fight.

Vizcaya is still awaiting the final contract to determine which show he will be on. He could be fighting on the XFC 19 in Charlotte, NC or at XFC 20 in Knoxville, TN.

Vizcaya is coming off his victory over Brandon DelPrado at XFO 43.

Phil Williams

Taurean Bogguess

Rafal Skibinski

Daniel Vizcaya

Andre Feliciano

Adam Ward

Andrew Krzeptowski

Brandon Wood

Damian Norris

Dan Aguirre

XFO 43
Friday 13, 2012
The Copernicus Theater

OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD
Main Event: Daniel Vizcaya vs. Brandon DelPrado
Round One: The fighters traded low kicks to start until Vizcaya clinched and leg tripped DelPrado to the ground in guard. Vizcaya punched his way out of guard and into side control. DelPrado secured Vizcaya’s neck for control, but Vizcaya popped out and delivered knees on the ground. More punches followed from Vizcaya to DelPrado’s head. DelPrado turned to fight, but gave up his back. Vizcaya then put in the hooks for full control. Vizcaya punched the side of DelPrado’s head as he tried to find a way out. Full control from Vizcaya as he rolled to sit down still with hooks in. DelPrado worked for half guard for a few seconds, but Vizcaya put him back down for mount. With ten second left Vizcaya unloaded on DelPrado.

Round Two: Vizcaya light on his feet threw punch and kick combos. DelPrado answered with a heavy right hook that gave Vizcaya pause. Vizcaya quickly regained awareness and charged in for a huge slam double-leg takedown. Good elbows from the bottom from DelPrado. Tight battle for position from both fighters. Vizcaya again secured mount and punches from the top. Vizcaya with several small flurries of punches, still not able to stop DelPrado. DelPrado is now bleeding heavy from an elbow. DelPrado turned over again for position and left his neck out for Vizcaya to secure the RNC tap.

Daniel Vizcaya defeated Brandon DelPrado via Tapout due to RNC in round two

Co-Main Event: Andrew Krzeptowski vs. Lawrence Dunning
Round One: Dunning opened up with a clinch as Krzeptowski stuck the body then moved to a takedown attempt. Dunning connected with a right hook. Krzeptowski pushed forward. Dunning twice had Krzeptowski’s neck and dragged him to the ground to try and finish. Both times Krzeptowski shook out of it and stood up. Another body shot from Krzeptowski. Krzeptowski then found the head target for his punches. Dunning stated stumbling and back peddling. Krzeptowski with heavy pressure against the cage, but Dunning reversed it. Krzeptowski with a solid body kick, but Dunning answered with a jab to the chin. A third attempt from Dunning to drag the fight to the ground via neck hold that failed. Dunning showed a bloody nose. Another body shot from Krzeptowski and then a knee. Krzeptowski shot with a spinning back kick and body kick combo that Dunning just ate. These two fought to the final second, both landed and took heavy shots.

Round Two: Both open round two with a quick one-two that landed softly. A spinning back fist from Krzeptowski that landed hard, but Dunning pushed forward as if unfazed. Both men took deep breaths before pushing forward and after breaks. Another left hook landed form Krzeptowski. Krzeptowski stuffed a takedown attempt and controlled the neck. Then delivered knees to the body and head of Dunning. Another body kick landed from Krzeptowski. Crowd was very vocal and into this fight. Outside leg kicks landed from Dunning. Krzeptowski with neck control on the ground, but Dunning on top in half guard. Dunning punched the body of Krzeptowski to loosen the grip on his neck. Dunning corner screamed at their fighter to get out of half guard. Krzeptowski finally let go of the neck and Dunning tried to land strikes before the round ended.

Round Three: Both men opened up with strikes that land, but push forward. In a rush of strikes, Dunning delivered a low blow that stopped the action. Crowd started to ‘boo’ after two minutes. Action restarted and Dunning charged forward with strikes. Krzeptowski smartly evaded around the cage. Dunning still pushed forward hard. Dunning able to secure the clinch and deliver a few knees to the head. Sluggish battle for position and soft strikes in the middle of this round. Dunning attempted a leg sweep takedown, but was reversed as Krzeptowski landed halfway on top. Dunning snuck out the back to take Krzeptowski’s back and work for a choke. Krzeptowski still worked for position from the bottom. Dunning secured full mount and finished the fight punching.

Andrew Krzeptowski defeated Lawrence Dunning (29-28 x3) via unanimous decision

Justin Robbins vs. Daniel Aguirre
Round One: Aguirre opened as the more aggressive fighter. Tried to strike from distance. Robbins ducked under to land a body shot, but Aguirre countered with a knee to the body. Both men didn’t back down. Robbins was selective with his strike to find a way inside. Aguirre landed a soft left hook to start a flurry. Nothing heavy landed. Robbins connected a few times with the inside leg kick. Both men executing head movement and faints. Aguirre struck hard with a left hook that moved Robbins backwards. More knees from Aguirre to follow up. Robbins ducked to get inside for a one-two combo to the body of Aguirre. Aguirre pushed forward, but Robbins sent him the canvas after catching a body kick. Flurries back and forth to end the round.

Round Two: Aguirre opened up with the double-jab that is corner was calling for all of round one. Aguirre landed a right hook to the side of Robbins’s head. Robbins still able to land the low kicks as Aguirre delivered knees and kicks to the body. Aguirre connected with a right hand that dazed Robbins. As Aguirre pushed forward Robbins countered with a takedown into side control. Robbins delivered knees to the shoulder of Aguirre. Aguirre counted by creating space for his right leg to secure closed guard, the body triangle from the bottom. Aguirre started to strike form the bottom to the body of Robbins as the round came to an end. Then landed elbows from the bottom from Aguirre.

Round Three: Robbins opened up with an overhand right that landed on Aguirre’s chin. Both corners are called for aggression and action. Aguirre listened and delivered a flying right knee from distance. Robbins started to bleed from above the right eye. A scramble on the ground as Aguirre landed several strikes of punches and elbows. Robbins fought back hard with two on one while Aguirre took his back. Aguirre sinks it in and gets the tap.

Daniel Aguirre defeated Justin Robbins via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.47 of round three

Jason Graves vs. Rafal Skibinski
Round One: Skibinski opened up with a Thai clinch and attempted a knee that was just short. Graves pushed forward and landed a right hook that dropped Skibinski. With Skibinski dazed, Graves moved into mount and dropped several punches. Skibinski covered well enough for the ref not to stop the fight. Skibinski tried to buck off Graves. Graves took some time to complain to the ref and Skibinski reversed to put Graves on his back into guard. Graves showing some damage with a cut under his left eye. Ref and doctor call the fight. Graves is visibly upset and threw his mouth piece in disgust of the outcome.

Rafal Skibinski defeated Jason Graves via doctor stoppage (cut under left eye) 2.13 of round one

Brandon Wood vs. Christian Reynoso
Round One: Reynoso opened up the fight with punches. Wood responded in kind. Nothing heavy landed at this point. Both men willing to engage and pushed forward. Wood connected with a three-four combo that pushed Reynoso backwards. Reynoso started to show some damage at this point, some redness under the eyes. Wood connected low with a body shot. Reynoso shot back with a body kick and inside leg kick. Wood with two head kick attempts. Reynoso landing the inside leg kick well and often. Reynoso kicked again to the body, but caught by Wood then delivered a huge straight right hand that dropped Reynoso and made his head bounce off the floor.

Brandon Wood defeated Christian Reynoso via TKO at 2.39 of round one

Taurean Bogguess vs. Mike Santiago
Round One: both clash kicks to start, but Bogguess found the inside leg kick. He followed that up with a hard left hook that dazed Santiago. Santiago was pushed to the cage and went in for the takedown. Bogguess sprawled out and dipped his arm under Santiago’s chin to sink in the choke and pulled guard. Santiago’s knees gave out has he lost consensus. Ref stopped the fight.

Taurean Bogguess defeated Mike Santiago via Technical submission at 32 seconds of round one

Bobby Ferrier vs. Adam Ward
Round One: Ward opened up strong with kicks that pushed Ferrier backward. Ward with a lot of pressure and talking trash as well. Ward with a flying knee that almost connected. Followed that up with a strong right hand that stumbled Ward backward to the cage. Ferrier landed a strong left, but Ward countered with a kick to the body. Ferrier fell over against the cage and Ward rapidly took the back and secured a body triangle. After two attempts of an RNC, Ward finally puts it in deep and got the tap.

Adam Ward defeated Bobby Ferrier via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.23 of round one

Josh Killion vs. Joey Diehl
Round One: Killion opened up strong with kicks and punches to push Diehl against the cage, but Diehl countered with a takedown into guard. Killion from the bottom with a choke attempt, which Diehl was able to get out of. Killion turned over to escape, but Diehl took the back with hooks. Punches from the top from Diehl and moved in for the choke again. Killion with wrist control on Diehl from the bottom. Diehl opened up with numerous punches after he got his hands free. Killion seemed unfazed and worked calm. Diehl worked in his arm and Killion’s face was turning Killion. Killion had two on one and Diehl let the choke go. Killion slowly turned over Diehl into guard. Killion stood up in Diehl’s guard and passed to side control. Killion punched the body and moved into north-south. Diehl flipped his legs over for a submission attempt and Killion backed away. Killion ended the round with a flurry of punches.

Round Two: Diehl countered a punch with a body lock. Killion pushed him to the cage and dropped him into side control. Diehl tried to push off the cage wall. Killion found himself in a odd position and opted to stand up. Back against the cage, Diehl threw Killion down with a headlock. Killion countered by ending up in half guard landing punches. Killion moved to mount with plenty of time in the round. Diehl gave up the back. Killion punched as Diehl covered up. Killion with Diehl flattened out still landing punches to the side of the head. Diehl covering up well, but not fighting back. Killion switched to a submission attempt and gets the tap.

Josh Killion defeated Joey Diehl via Tapout due to a RNC at 3.10 of round two

Andre Feliciano vs Jerald Williams
Round One: Feliciano opened up with punches and kicks, but it is Williams that pushed the action to the cage. Feliciano with his back to the cage attempted a chock that Williams defended and moved back to the center. Feliciano with a shot that is stuffed by Williams and ended up on top in half guard and half butterfly guard. Williams moved the action to the cage and landed a few punches. Feliciano exploded and forced Williams on his back. Feliciano was in half guard when he started throwing elbows and punches. Feliciano went for the head and arm triangle but didn’t put his head on the ground. Feliciano gives up the attempt after some time and re-adjusted. Williams worked his way out of the bottom and the crowd exploded with approval. Action restarted in the center with rangy strikes until Williams worked the fight to the cage. Feliciano showed good defense from takedown, but ate punches form Feliciano. Williams caught a kick and landed a straight punch at the end of the round.

Round Two: Feliciano opened the middle frame with a takedown into full guard. Williams with good control of Feliciano form the bottom, using head and high guard. Feliciano not able to do much for a while. Williams holding on for a stand up. Feliciano worked the body with soft punches. Williams opened his guard and Feliciano moved to half guard, tried for mount, went to side control. Feliciano in control on top, but not landing damage. Feliciano secured full mount, but Williams had good head control from the bottom. Feliciano delivered heavy elbows from the top with half posture. Williams created space and pushed Feliciano’s face back to rock his body weight forward to site up. We reset on the feet in the middle. Williams in for a takedown attempt, but Feliciano reversed against the cage. The fighters fell forward and Feliciano capitalized into Williams’s guard. Feliciano punched the body of Williams as the round ended.

Round Three: Feliciano with a takedown and top control, but Williams on the bottom looked for submissions. Feliciano now in half guard and Williams with head control with his arms. Feliciano moved to side control, but still not landed damage. Feliciano backed away and kicked the legs while Williams was on his back Feliciano threw spinning heel kicks to the legs. Feliciano dove back down into Williams’s guard. Williams was able to push Feliciano out of his guard, but opted not to stand up with space between the two. Williams attempted a heel grab takedown, but Feliciano counted with a front choke attempt. Feliciano dragged Williams back to the ground and got mount. Feliciano in full control towards the end of the fight in guard. A solid left elbow across the brow of Williams. Feliciano ended the fight in full mount.

Andre Feliciano defeated Jerald Willimas by unanimous decision

James Smith vs. Phil Williams
Round One: Smith pushed the action against the cage, but Williams was able to get the trip to the ground. Williams quickly moved to the back of Smith and delivered punches to the body. Smith able to create space and get out from the bottom, but Williams not letting too much room between the two. Williams against the body control and carried Smith towards his own corner with a huge slam. Smith reversed with a fireman’s carry slam of his own. After several submission attempts from Smith, Williams escapes and takes the back for a third time. This time with both hooks sunk in the choke and gets the tap.

Smith is down after the stoppage and two doctors rush in to check on him. Tried to stand up and sat back down again quickly. They moved him to the stool and clearly dizzy. Finally he stood up to the crowd’s delight and appears to be okay.

Phil Williams defeated James Smith via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.56 of round one

Jordan Griffin vs Damian Norris
Round One: Norris opened up with kicks from low to high. Griffin didn’t check any of the lows ones, but blocked the few high ones. Griffin plowed forward for a takedown attempt, while Norris tried to counter by punching on the back of the head. A stalemate against the cage while Griffin switched from doubles to singles. Norris went over the top with a few punches. Ref broke them up and restarted in the center. Norris pushed forward with a flurry that excited the crowd, but nothing heavy landed. Exchanges went back and forward with a mix up of punches, kicks and elbows. Griffin with flying knee that didn’t land, but pushed Norris back against the cage. Griffin looked for the takedown again from the cage side. Norris defended well and struck the head while Griffin was focused on the takedown. Norris secured Griffin’s back after a failed attempt from Griffin. Griffin was able to remove the hooks and escape. Norris landed a nice and quick kick and one-two combo. Norris with a heavy jab that made Griffin stumble. Griffin turned it around for a takedown attempt against the cage as the round ended.

Round Two: Norris went out to touch gloves and Griffin touches then jabs him. Crowd wanted blood after that. Norris moved well on the outside while Griffin chased him down in the center. Griffin caught a kick for a quick takedown into Norris closed guard. Griffin moved the action against the cage while he punched the body. Norris tried to posture and land heavy shots. Griffin turned to give up the back while Norris took the back. Again Griffin able to reverse and get on top. Griffin showing damage and bleeding heavy from his forehead from an elbow on the ground. Ref called for time and a check from the doctor on Griffin. Norris whipped the blood off of himself while Griffin was checked. Doctor and ref called the fight.

Damian Norris defeated Jordan Griffin via doctor stoppage at 3.02 of round two

Quick Results:

• Daniel Vizcaya defeated Brandon DelPrado via Tapout due to RNC in round two
• Andrew Krzeptowski defeated Lawrence Dunning (29-28 x3) via unanimous decision
• Daniel Aguirre defeated Justin Robbins via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.47 of round three
• Rafal Skibinski defeated Jason Graves via doctor stoppage (cut under left eye) 2.13 of round one
• Brandon Wood defeated Christian Reynoso via TKO at 2.39 of round one
• Taurean Bogguess defeated Mike Santiago via Technical submission at 32 seconds of round one
• Adam Ward defeated Bobby Ferrier via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.23 of round one
• Josh Killion defeated Joey Diehl via Tapout due to a RNC at 3.10 of round two
• Andre Feliciano defeated Jerald Williams by unanimous decision
• Phil Williams defeated James Smith via Tapout due to a RNC at 2.56 of round one
• Damian Norris defeated Jordan Griffin via doctor stoppage at 3.02 of round two

XFO 43 Final Poster

On Friday, April 13, XFO returns to the Copernicus Center for XFO 43. The night of action is scheduled to feature an all pro mixed martial arts card with thirteen fights. The first 1,500 fans to arrive will receive a free 2012 X-Treme Ring Girls calendar.

Fans of mixed martial arts in Chicago will not be disappointed as the card is stacked with local talent. Established pros like Dan Aguirre, Mike Santiago, Adam Ward, Joey Diehl, and Christian Reynoso all will be looking to not only improve their fan base, but increase their fans.

Phil Williams, Andre Feliciano, Jerald Williams and Damian Norris are names many have seen on the amateur circuit in the Chicagoland area. All of them are battle tested and will try to start their pro careers with a win.

Doors open at 6pm and the first fight is set to start at 7:30pm. The full card now includes:
Daniel Vizcaya vs Brandon DelPrado
Daniel Aguirre vs Ryan McIntosh
Mike Santiago vs Tory Bogguess
Adam Ward vs Bobby Ferrier
Andrew Krzeptowski vs Lawrence Dunning
Joey Diehl vs Dominic Blanco
Matt Tobie vs Ryan Storey
Rafal Skibinski vs Jason Graves
Christian Reynoso vs Brandon Wood
Damian Norris vs Jordan Griffin
Ramy Daoud vs Johnny Coleman
Andre Feliciano vs Jerald Williams
Phil Williams vs James Smith

XFO 43 tickets are now available here at MMA Recap. They start at just $31 for the mezzanine level and $41 for the main floor area. That includes our processing fee. These are the best prices anywhere online for XFO 43 tickets. Click here to buy your tickets.

The card is a stacked all-pro card featuring several fan favorites like Carson Beebe, Guillermo Serment, Dan Aguirre, Mike Santiago, Adam Ward, Joey Diehl, Vince Ramos, Giovanni Moljo, Matt Tobie, Christian Reynoso and many more.

The full card looks like:
Carson Beebe vs Guillermo Serment
Daniel Vizcaya vs Brandon DelPrado
Daniel Aguirre vs Ryan McIntosh
Mike Santiago vs TBD
Vincent Ramos vs Jose Pacheco
Andrew Krzeptowski vs Lawrence Dunning
Adam Ward vs Giovanni Moljo
Joey Diehl vs TBD
Matt Tobie vs Ryan Storey
Rafal Skibinski vs Jason Graves
Christian Reynoso vs James Anthony Moore
Damian Norris vs Jordan Griffin
Ramy Doud vs Johnny Coleman
Andre Feliciano vs Jerald Williams
Phil Williams vs TBD

XFO isn’t holding back any punches with the announcement of nearly every fight for the April 13 event. Daniel Vizcaya and Brandon DelPrado will collide in the main event while Miodrag Petkovich takes on Bryan Humes in the co-main event. The event takes place on Friday, April 13 at the Copernicus Center in downtown Chicago.

Vizcaya will be bringing in a two-fight win streak to the main event after earning a TKO victory over Rafal Skibinsi and a rear naked choke victory over Kent Rexford. The two-wins snapped a two-fight losing skid for Vizcaya. The former light heavyweight dropped to middleweight to resurrect his career.

DelPrado meanwhile will be looking to remain undefeated as a professional having won all four of his fights. The Team Colon standout has finished his last three opponents and had a very successful amateur career.

Petkovich recently earned a unanimous decision victory over Mike Marrello at XFO 42 in December. It was a hard fought three-round battle and after the fight Marrello retired from fighting inside the cage.

Humes had been scheduled for a fight inside the XFO cage but had to scratch due to an injury. His last two fights have been against some of the top heavyweights. He went toe-to-toe with Paul Buentello at Shark Fights in May of 2010 and then followed it up with a third round submission loss to Gabriel Salinas Jones at Strikeforce Fedor vs Henderson.

Other notables on the card include Joey Diehl, Mike Santiago, Vince Ramos, Matt Tobie, Ryan Storey, Christian Reynoso, and Damian Norris. The event is currently scheduled to have an all pro thirteen fight night of action.

The full card looks as follows:
Daniel Vizcaya vs Brandon DelPrado
Miodrag Petkovich vs Bryan Humes
Joey Diehl vs Damian Jeffro
Mike Santiago vs Garrett Gross
Vincent Ramos vs Jose Pacheco
Andrew Krzeptowski vs Lawrence Dunning
Matt Tobie vs Ryan Storey
Rafal Skibinski vs Jason Graves
Christian Reynoso vs Tony Moore
Damian Norris vs Jordan Griffin
Ramy Daoud vs Johnny Coleman
Phil Williams vs TBD
Andre Feliciano vs Jerald Williams