Jackson Small was scheduled to defend his XFC featherweight title for the first time but a late injury to James Bishop had the promotion searching for an opponent with days to the event. Up stepped veteran Jai Bradney to take a catchweight non-title fight.
The bout headlined XFC 37 which took place at the Mansfield Tavern on Friday night.
Within the first 15-seconds, Bradney caught Small with a standing head-arm choke which he used to get the takedown. Bradney put all his weight into finishing the choke though was unable to force the tap. Bradney transitioned to mount which allowed Small to regain an open guard where he kicked out and escaped back to his feet. A stiff lead right connected and a swinging left clipped Bradney, sending him to the canvas as Small immediately capitalised throwing heavy ground-and-pound to get the stoppage.
After winning just one of his first three bouts, Small has now racked up four wins on the trot which also includes victories against regional prospects Josh Togo and Bevan O’Malley. Bradney drops to 16-17-1 in what was his second loss in the space of a week.
“I want to first thank Jai Bradney for taking the fight on short notice. My opponent pulled out so I really appreciate him taking it,” Small told the crowd in his post-fight speech.
“I didn’t want to like you, but you’re an alright guy,” he jokingly added before thanking his coaches, training partners and partner.
Also in pro fights on the card, former title challenger Andrew Mills (8-3) proved too much for Craig Callaghan (5-6) while David Butt (8-11) secured a first-round triangle choke submission over Josh Robson (3-6) . Earlier David Martinez (2-0) edged Ethan Thomas (1-1) via split decision.
The pro-am card also features a XFC amateur bantamweight title bout which was won by Aaron Tau in spectacular style as he stopped Ben Edmonstone in the second round with strikes.
Fight Card (Pro):
- Jackson Small def. Jai Bradney via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 2:53
- Andrew Mills def. Craig Callaghan via Decision (Unanimous)
- David Butt def. Josh Robson via Submission (Triangle Choke), Rd 1, 3:58
- David Martinez def. Ethan Thomas via Decision (Split)
Results (Amateur):
- Aaron Tau def. Ben Edmonstone via TKO, Rd 2, 1:10– XFC amateur bantamweight title
- Sam Dobb def. Auryn Parmley via Decision (Unanimous)
- Quillan Salkilld def. David Chand via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 3, 0:53
- Loni Filimoehala def. Arron Mpumba via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jack Gibbs vs. Troy Pilcher via Decision (Unanimous)
- Alex Hong def. Liu Faleono via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 1:27
- Dane Alchin def. Cale Burge via Decision (Unanimous)
- Ryan Leavey def. Alastair Volders via Decision (Split)
- Trevor Sinclair def. Oscar Leng via TKO, Rd 2
- Dom Marfan def. Jarvis Wickham via Submission (Triangle Choke), Rd 3
- Sebastian Szalay def. Scott Hewish via TKO, Rd 2
- Emanuel Camilleri def. Adnan Khan via TKO, Rd 1
