A jam-packed XFC 22 card is expected with two professional title bouts announced ahead of the promotions next event on November 1.
A Trans-Tasman rematch between Adrian Rodriguez and Shane Young is set to headline the card while in another Australia vs New Zealand battle, while Rodriguez’s team-mate Jacob Mahony will look to defend his bantamweight title when he faces Irishman Richie Ivory.
The event will take place at the Mansfield Tavern in Mansfield, Queensland.
Adrian Rodriguez and Shane Young met back at XFC 20 in February this year, where Rodriguez edged out a majority decision on the judges cards to take his record to an impressive 6-1. Both guys left it all in the cage during their first outing which had the crowd on their feet by the end of the fight.
“I knew it was close, but I knew I scored well with the take downs and finished the fight on top,” Rodriguez told Fight News Australia.
“I’m expecting another tough and entertaining fight and to come out on top again,” he added.
Coached by New Zealand MMA pioneer Neil Swailes, Shane Young will be keen to keep it out of the hands of the judges this time in his attempt to bring the title back home.
“I feel like the fight was a draw at best and that there was some hometown bias in the final decision. I’ve had other judges in NZ look at the fight and they all thought it was a close decision, but the wrong decision,” Young told Fight News Australia when asked about the decision.
Although he put on one of the fights of the year, the 21-year-old Auckland based fighter wasn’t satisfied with his performance first time around and will be looking at making some adjustments for the rematch.
“I wasn’t happy with my performance last fight, I shouldn’t have been getting taken down that easily so I went in there with the wrong mindset, maybe a little too aggressive in the wrong way.”
“I know where’s he’s strong and where his weaknesses are so I’ll be looking to expose and exploit his weaknesses and play to my own strengths and I’ll be looking to test his chin again.”
“I want the finish so that’s why I told Justin (Lawrence) to make it 5 rounds.”
Rodriguez’s Advance Martial Arts team-mate, Jacob Mahony will be looking to defend his XFC bantamweight title when he comes up against Richie Ivory.
Also on the card, Ty Duncan will look to defend his amateur welterweight title against Daniel White, while Gavin Hain and Eben Cox will meet for the vacant amateur lightweight title.
Fight Card (Professional):
- Adrian Rodriguez (c) vs Shane Young II – XFC featherweight title
- Jacob Mahony (c) vs Richie Ivory – XFC bantamweight title
- Ben Quarmby vs Damien Fraser
- Riley Mallett vs Mirwias Kakar
- Aaron Blackie vs Jai Marshall
- Terissa Wall vs Helen Malone
Fight Card (Amateur):
- Marcus Collings vs Martin Kerr – XFC amateur light-heavyweight title
- Ty Duncan (c) vs Daniel White – XFC amateur welterweight title
- Gavin Hain vs Eben Cox – XFC amateur lightweight title
- Andy Stanway vs Matthew Thompson
- Nathan Wilson vs Blake Lynch
- Jon Willox vs Carlin Bull
- Joel Fahey vs Kris Mulhall
- Puru Kavana vs Harley Osgood
- Luther Kruger vs Jordan Rolender
*Adrian Rodriguez and Jacob Mahony pictured after winning at XFC 20
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