Sunday, June 29, 2008
10,700 Mixed Martial Arts Fans Flock to the St. Pete Times Forum as John Mahlow Captures the XFC Lightweight Championship - Scott pinsker
Brandon, FL Wrestling Legend Matt Juncal Wins Pro Debut by Submission in the First Round
Tampa, FL: History was made at the St. Pete Times Forum on Saturday, June 28 when 10,700 cheering MMA fans watched John Mahlow win the Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC) lightweight title by unanimous decision over Eben "The Big O" Oroz. The crowd was the second largest for an MMA event in Florida history.
On the undercard, Brandon wrestling legend Matt Juncal - who cemented his status as one of the all-time great high school wrestlers in American history by winning three straight statewide wrestling championships in three separate weight classes between 2003 and 2005, going undefeated his junior and senior years - won his professional MMA debut via submission 51 seconds into the first round against the also-debuting Jeff Mansir.
"John Mahlow is a ferocious competitor and a true champion," said XFC president John Prisco. "And Matt Juncal just might be the next great superstar in this sport. I mean, with Matt's stellar wrestling pedigree, we already knew that his ground game would develop quickly, but it's his dedication and uncompromising discipline that separates him from his competitors. Ever since he first stepped inside our XFC training facilities here in Tampa and told us that he dreamed of being an MMA world champion, we knew he had an opportunity to be something special. Tonight was Matt's first real test - and he passed with flying colors."
Matt Juncal was pleased with his inaugural effort, but acknowledged that he's still learning his craft. "It was good getting the jitters out, and all that work with my boys at the XFC gym clearly paid off for me," Juncal said. "I'd like to get in a few more fights and continue developing my game, but my goal is to capture the XFC light heavyweight championship. Just like John Mahlow, I want that 30 pound championship belt wrapped around my waist - and to be recognized as one of the very best fighters in the entire world. That's my motivation, and I refuse to quit until I reach the top of the mountain."
John Mahlow's opponent, Eben "The Big O" Oroz was somber and reflective after dropping a close-fought unanimous decision in his championship bout. "Congratulations to John Mahlow," Oroz said in his locker room. "I wish him all the best in the future. I've got to regroup and learn from my mistakes because this is a never-ending process. It was a great crowd in Tampa and I enjoyed it a lot, but I think I'd be better dropping down to 145 pounds and fighting as a featherweight."
Full results from the fight card are as follows:
Farkhad Sharipov over Dustin "The Hitman" Heard by Unanimous Decision
Robert Turner over Billy "Bad Ass" Colon by TKO, 1:05 in the second round
Haki Lee over Cortlandt Savageau by TKO, 3:23 in the first round
Matt Juncal over Jeff Masir by Submission, 51 seconds in the first round
Lorenzo "The Borg" Borgomeo over Clifton Weston by TKO, 4:24 in the first round
Dave "Pay Me" Yost over Vince Austin by TKO, 3:16 in the first round
Mikey Gomez over Antonio Grant by TKO, 27 seconds in the first round
John Mahlow over Eben "The Big O" Oroz for the XFC lightweight title by Unanimous Decision
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