Xtreme Cage Combat: MMA Warriors Battle Before Overflow Crowd in Hatfield

Xtreme Caged Combat, the longest-running MMA promotion in Pennsylvania, presented an electric 10-card event (XCC 25) to an overflow crowd in Hatfield at the BucksMont Indoor Sports Center.

“I am extremely pleased with the direction of the promotion. We are consistently selling out each show and the depth of our roster is as deep as its ever been. We have one more show in 2016 and at the beginning of 2017 we are going back into Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA. I expect next year to be the biggest year in the company's 7-year history," XCC Promoter Ryan Kerwin said.

The main event saw Alexandre Bezerra (Training facility: G-13 BJJ) use a rear naked choke hold to defeat Dimitre Ivy (Texas Powerhouse Gym) in the first round. The battle of 145-pounders ended a raucous night of Friday fights in the southeastern section of the state. Bezerra (19-4) is a nine-time Bellator veteran and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. He's also a former Cage Fury Fighting Championships Featherweight Champion.

After a ferocious first round, BJ Young (Ricardo Almeida BJJ) applied a rear naked choke in the second round to defeat William Dill (Martinez BJJ), thereby capturing the XCC Featherweight Championship belt. 

Another professional bout (155-pounds) saw Jack Cordero (Modern Martial Arts) defeat Joe Schick (Dante Rivera BJJ) in the second round through a triangle choke tapout. Cordero had overcome a fierce first round when Schick drew significant blood. 

When asked how he felt after the match Cordero said, “I'm alive and I won.” That statement captured the intense atmosphere in the arena, as Mixed Martial Arts continues to expand its reach in Pennsylvania and around the world.

Troy Wittman (Premiere Fight Center) defeated Justin Lesko (Revolution Academy) by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round in an additional pro bout (155 pounds). This fight rivaled the amateur contest that was deemed 'Fight of the Evening' by the judges on the seven-bout undercard.

UFC fighters: Frankie Perez, Frankie Edgar, Dante Rivera, Wilson Reis, and Matt Rizzo, were introduced to the crowd in between matches from inside the cage at the best MMA event in PA this weekend. 

(155 pounds) Scott Clymer (Renzo Gracie PA) defeated Jerome Klumb (Kioto BJJ) in a unanimous decision (29-28 on all judge's scorecards). Terrific action by both fighters was seen in the second round, but Clymer's sheer will to win earned him XCC honors in addition to his victory.

In other action: (135 pounds) Andrew Smith (Modern Martial Arts) applied a rear naked choke in the first round to defeat Thaigo Brito (G 13 BJJ). 

(155-pound contests) Cody Russell (Balance Studios) applied vicious blows to Josh Sachetti's (Dauntless MMA) face and eventually beat him by unanimous decision (30-27 on all scorecards); And, a series of reverse pin attempts were used by each fighter, but Vinny Oristaglio (UFC Gym, Springfield) defeated Craig Alexander (Tiger Schulman's MMA) by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28). 

(160 pounds) Back-and-forth action peppered the first two rounds, before Hakief Phillips (Fight Firm) defeated Shane LaRocca (Daddis Fight Camps) by unanimous decision (30-27 on all judge's scorecards).

(205 pounds) Russell Korbul (Gracie New Jersey) used a North-South choke to defeat Michael Ford (Stay Fly Muay Thai) in the second round. 

"Since joining forces with Ryan in 2015, we have been consistent in having successful shows and XCC 25 was no exception. It is an honor to work with some of the top schools and fighters of the area, and I look forward to watching all the fighters progress in their careers in this sport," XCC Matchmaker Helen Locura said.

Original reporting by Sean O'Brien. 
All photos were provided by XCC and used with permission.