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“New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-9-0) vs. Joey Villasenor (25-6-0)

 

Phil Baroni was once thought of as one of the most dangerous fighters in MMA, but recent losses to Frank Shamrock and Kala Hose has killed his momentum. In his long MMA career, Phil Baroni has fought in the UFC, Strike Force, Elite XC, Icon Sport and PRIDE Bushido. Of his ten MMA career victories, seven have come by way of knockout and two have come by way of submission. Most Elite XC fans may remember Phil Baroni best for his fight with Frank Shamrock in June 2007, where both ended up in the hospital post fight with a ton of injuries. Joey Villasenor is one of the most underrated MMA fighters in history and at one point in his career, went on a fifteen fight win streak. Joey Villasenor has fought in most of the top MMA organizations worldwide like Elite XC, King Of The Cage, PRIDE, Strike Force and DEEP. Of his twenty five career victories, twenty one of them came by knockout and submission, while the rest came via decision. Joey Villasenor is one victory away from challenging Elite XC Middleweight Champion Robbie Lawler for the title in the future.

 

My Prediction: Joey Villasenor

 

Elite XC Heavyweight Division Fight

“The Grim” Brett Rogers (6-0-0) vs. Jon Murphy (4-2-0)

 

Brett Rogers is quickly becoming a force in the Elite XC Heavyweight Division with victories over Ralph Kelly and James Thompson in Elite XC competition. Of Brett Rogers six victories, five victories have come by way of knockout and the other victory was by submission. Brett Rogers is primarily a striker with limited ground experience, so he must keep the fight standing to gain victory. In his brief MMA career, Jon Murphy has already fought current UFC star Houston Alexander and former UFC fighter Sherman Pendergarst. Jon Murphy has already fought in major MMA promotions like King Of The Cage and Sho XC, but this will be his Elite XC debut. Jon Murphy is a boxer with good striking ability, but his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills may be the key for Jon Murphy to outwit the striker in Brett Rogers.

 

My Prediction: Brett Rogers

 

Elite XC Women’s 140lb. Division Fight

Gina “Conviction” Carano (5-0-0) vs. Kaitlin Young (4-1-0)

 

Like Mia St. John did for boxing in the nineties, Gina Carano is quickly becoming the face of female MMA for the sport in this decade. Gina Carano was the winner of the first female MMA fight to be broadcast on national television, when Elite XC debuted on the Showtime network in 2007. Gina Carano trains at the Xtreme Couture camp and has had current UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture corner her in past Elite XC competition. Gina Carano is primarily a striker, but has been training more in submissions, which was put on display at Elite XC in a victory over Tonya Evinger. Kaitlin Young is quickly becoming a top star in women’s MMA, even winning three fights in one night Hook N’ Shoot - Bodog Fight in a total time of one minute and forty nine seconds. Prior to suffering her first loss in February of 2008, Kaitlin Young won all four of her previous fights by either knockout or submission.

 

My Prediction: Gina Carano

 

Elite XC Middleweight Title Fight

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler *Champion* (15-4-0) vs. Scott “Hands Of Stone” Smith (13-4-0)

 

Robbie Lawler is one of the most celebrated middleweight fighters in MMA, fighting in such major organizations as the UFC, Icon Sport, King Of The Cage, Elite XC and PRIDE. Robbie Lawler’s first Elite XC appearance lead to a victory over Murilo Rua and the Elite XC Middleweight Title. Robbie Lawler’s knockout power is rarely paralleled by any MMA fighter, with twelve of fifteen victories coming by knockout. Currently, Robbie Lawler is riding a four fight win streak with victories over the aforementioned Murilo Rua, Frank Trigg, Joey Villasenor and Eduardo Pamplona. Like Robbie Lawler, Scott Smith is a fighter who is known for his knockout power, with eleven victories coming by knockout. Scott Smith is most remembered by most MMA fans for his incredible one punch knockout victory over Pete Sell at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale. Scott Smith fought in Elite XC once before, defeating Kyle Noke by knockout in February of 2008, earning him a title shot.

 

My Prediction: Robbie Lawler

 

Elite XC Heavyweight Division Fight

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (2-0-0) vs. “The Colossus” James Thompson (14-8-0)

 

Very few MMA fighters have ever had the meteoric rise of Kimbo Slice, who has brawled his way to the top of the MMA universe. Despite competing exclusively in Elite XC, Kimbo Slice has already defeated veteran fighters Bo Cantrell and David “Tank” Abbot by knockout and both by under a minute in his first two fights. Kimbo Slice is a very dominant street fighter who has yet to show any semblance of a ground game in his first couple of fights. Despite not being a major name to MMA fans, James Thompson is a more than capable fighter who has won thirteen of fourteen fights by either knockout or submission. Interestingly enough, if Ken Shamrock didn’t lose the Cage Rage fight to Robert Berry a few months back, then James Thompson wouldn’t be fighting Kimbo Slice at this event. James Thompson is a well traveled MMA competitor who has already fought in Elite XC and PRIDE.

 

My Prediction: Kevin Ferguson