The upcoming Xcessive Force Fighting Championship card will be the biggest ever held in Grande Prairie. Pending any last minute changes, Brawls Deep should feature 13 or even 14 fights, when the most up until this point has been 11.
In addition to title fights, almost every fight will include a local athlete stepping into the octagon at Evergreen Park. Plus, promoter Darren Cliffe says they’re about to do something they’ve never done before, after Kyle Francotti called out fellow local William Carriere at the last show.
“William Carriere has not really responded to anything that Kyle has done so we are actually bringing William to the show and we’re going to throw him in the cage and we’re going to interview him and see what he has to say about that.”
Carriere hasn’t fought for XFFC since October 2015, and Cliffe’s hoping the pair will face off this summer. Francotti is fighting Steve McDonald of Kelowna Friday night.
The 17th Xcessive Force Fighting Championship event has pro middleweight Cody Krahn against Ultimate Fighter contestant Michael Hill as the main event, followed by pro lightweights Randy Mahon of Grande Prairie versus Nick Hrabec.
“Randy and Nick… this is one of those fights where they really don’t like each other, so it usually makes for a pretty good fight,” says Cliffe.
Fan favourite Louis Martinez is also returning to the cage against Kevin Kellerman, as well as Yellowknife transplant Todd Vatcher in an amateur welterweight title fight against Riley Pequin. Other locals on the card include Justin Knoepfli, Isaiah Metituk, Grey Patino, Brock Holmes, and Joe Westbrook.
Up next for the promotion is an expansion to Penticton, which is expected to be finalized in the next few days. An event is scheduled for there in April, and then Cliffe would like to hold outdoor shows in both Kelowna and Grande Prairie.
“If we don’t get the support, which we’ve had a little bit of trouble with over the last little while, there’s cities that want this show in the worst way. If we don’t get the support, we will move the show.”
Tickets for the March 16th event can be found at Tommy Gun’s, S3 Boardshop, Mighty Peace Harley Davidson, Paradise Inn and Conference Center and online at www.evergreenpark.ca. Tables are still available by reaching Cliffe at 780-876-4652.