X-Series "CrossRoads" What an X-Cellent Event for Knoxville, TN!

X-Series started out with a bang with the Co-Main event of the night being the first bout.

This got the crowd all fired up when Christopher Hall (ATO No. 6) ( Integrated Martial Arts) Lebanon, TN and Billy Mullins (ATO No. 2) (Fit Factory) Sevierville, TN faced off for an all out war for the 145-lb Grand Prix pro contract by XFC.

Both of these warriors have been in the hunt since last January.

Mullins and Hall entered the cage with serious looks on their faces and were ready to do battle in order to have their hand raised in victory, as well as being the winner of the prestigious pro contract.

Both fighters came out strong and fast, but Mullins took cage control early in the first with a standing guillotine, but Hall was able to escape the confines of the submission attempt and then the blows started flowing with both Hall and Mullins exchanging a flurry of crosses and upper cuts during the first round.

Round two had Mullins dominating with a mixture of combinations both on the ground and standing. At the end of the second, Hall had to regroup and prepare a different strategy for the third and final round.

When the bell rang for Round 3, Mullins charged to the center of the cage and attempted to submit Hall again with the standing Guillotine Choke then taking hall to the mat with a double leg take down.

Mullins was landing upper cuts to the head of Hall and Hall landed a few hammer fists to the head of Mullins.

Mullins slammed Hall on his head and neck, but Hall quickly recovered and took down Mullins, but this fight went to the judges with Mullins earning a unanimous decision and a multi fight pro contract from XFC.

Look for big things to come from Mr. Mullins in the very near future, this kid is on his way to the top. 

The Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament quickly came to an end between Scott “Hot Sauce” Holtzman (ATO No. 5) (Shield System, Knoxville, TN) took on Charlie Alexander from (Nashville MMA). Holtzman came into the fight with a perfect( 4-0) record and Alexander with (3-1).

Alexander took the fight on short notice after two opponents had to back out of the fight for various reasons.

This fight was not only for a pro contract, but the vacant ISKA 155 Title.  There was a lot on the line for this fight just as in the Mullins/Hall fight.

This fight should have been called “The Fast and Furious” because from the time it started, it was jammed packed with action.

Alexander attempted to land a round kick but was caught by Holtzman.  Holtzman worked the cage and was continually kneeing Alexander’s thighs. Alexander landed a series of hook punches but then took a shot to the turtle shell.

Holtzman landed a round kick to Alexander and left Alexander a bloody mess. Holtzman took Alexander to the ground and supremely executed a RNC that would have made any UFC warrior beam with pride.

This fight ended in the very first round and when it did all the “ Hot Sauce” fans in the house went ballistic.  Holtzman remained his calm usual and graceful self, and was sure to sing the praises of his opponent.

I hope the XFC is ready for the “Hot Sauce” because if they are not, they are going to experience the painful burn of this incredible young man. 

Another outstanding fight was between Matt Coakley (ATO No. 1) (Team Roc) Raleigh, NC and Len Cook (ATONo. 6 )( Absolute jiu Jitsu), Bristol, TN this was a fight for the South East Regional Championship and 135lb X-Series Titles.

Both titles were on the line, and both fighters were ready to prove why they deserved them.

Cook gets the takedown early in the first and Coakley has Cook in his guard but could not do enough damage to control cook during the first. Cook pulls a big slam on Coakley midway through the first, Coakley was quick to recover and punches were exchanged and Coakley executed a nice hip throw.

Second round Coakley lands a few round kicks to Cook, and they exchange hook punches, then Cook goes in for the slam and Coakley gets the reversal. Coakley is working the cage during the second and returns the body slam to Cook.

Cook is on top of Coakley, and then Cook gets a leg lock on Coakley, but he escapes and begins working on an omaplata, but Cook easily works his way out of that before the end of round two.

Third and final round and yet another body slam by Cook. Cooks has side control, and Coakley gets the reversal and has top control in Cooks guard. A lot of ground and pound in the third from both fighters and Cook gets the reversal and gets top control.

Near the end of the fight, Coakley delivers some damaging knee strikes the chest of Cook, but can’t finish him. This one goes to the judges for a unanimous decision for Cook, who is the newly crowned 135-lb South East Regional Champion and X-Series Champion.

Dustin Long (ATO No. 7 )(Tuco O Tapa) Johnson City, TN vs. Jeremy Thurman (Team Ground Control), Knoxville, TN for the vacant 205lb X-Series Title.

Thurman uses a double leg take down to get Long to the ground in the first. Long gets the reversal and then they are both back to their feet quickly. Thurman gives multiple knees to the chest of Long.

Long then pins Thurman to the cage and then Thurman takes Long to the ground with an arm technique and it popped Long’s shoulder out of place and Long is forced to verbally tap.

Thurman was elated to become to new 20 rom this injury he will be back on the hunt for the title and when is at 100 percent any opponent better look out for this beast.

Here are the results of the remaining fights:

Iron Head- Stephen Flanigan submits Clarence Jacobs to become the No. 1 contender in the HW Division.

Sam “Third Degree” Burns gets the win by unanimous decision over Dustin Vaughn in the Lt. HW Division.

Doug Williams remains undefeated as he tears through Chase Christian who can’t start the second round due to injuries.

Jeff Lewis defeats Chris Wilson in a 220lb bout.

160 "Catch weight match”  “Ace, T.K.O Kid” Mooneyham defeats Roy Sanders by TKO.

Dave Chambers defeats Len Crockett by submission in a 210 “Catch weight” bout.

Craig Johnson gets the win over Mikey Braden in the first round by tap out.

In the 145 Divison, Adam Townsend submits Chase Wender with an Americana early during the second round.

135 Female fight between Jessica Martinez vs. Taylor Miller end in a draw which gets boos from the teams and crowd.

X-Series HW No. 1 Contender fight Dustin Dyer wins by verbal tap out over Isaac Fine.

In the LW division Tanner McCowan defeats Cromwell Steward by TKO-referee stoppage in the first round.

X-Series “CrossRoads” was a great night of exciting fights that gave the fighters a chance to perform in a quality venue. The next X-Series is scheduled for this October.