BURBANK, California-Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LXF) launched a historic new era in MMA on Saturday, May 11 with three championship title bouts and a total of 10 action-packed fights at the Burbank Marriott Events Center.
LXF, a reimagination of the long popular California Xtreme Fighting (CXF) league, crowned a new heavyweight title holder following a scintillating, crowd-pleasing affair between Jack May and Mike Quintero. May bloodied and beat Quintero in a unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28). The 38-year-old American heavyweight controlled the stand-up action in the three-round bout and busted the eye of Quintero with a short, vicious elbow in the first round, and never looked back on his way to a dominant performance. Quintero, a brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, never found a groove to grapple and move the fight to the ground, a place where he ended his first fight with May in a controversial submission victory last December. The rematch provided the definitive finish May, a former UFC, Bellator, PFL and K-1 veteran, was looking for as he stood on his feet for 15 minutes and strategically striked his way to a win.
After the fight, May was officially anointed as the first LXF heavyweight champion by league co-founder and former Chargers All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. The eight-year NFL veteran and owner of 45.5 career sacks was joined in the cage by hip-hop artist Ray J to crown May as the league’s new champion.
In a separate championship bout, Dominic Clark was awarded the LXF lightweight championship belt after Arut Pogosjan was disqualified in the first round for delivering an illegal knee to the downed Clark. After absorbing the blow to the head, Clark was declared unfit to continue as a remorseful Pogosjan pleaded apologies to his injured opponent.
"I’m happy with the way the fight started, I took control early on and although the ending was anticlimactic, this is the fight game and some things are out of your control," Clark said after the fight. "I have nothing but respect for Arut. He’s a class act."
The bantamweight championship title remained vacant after Alfred Khashakyan defeated Albert Morales with an impressive first round knockout. Khashakyan lost his chance at the title a day before the fight on the scales for being 3.2 pounds over the 135-pound limit. However, it did not stop the 30-year old from putting on an impressive performance and stopping Morales with a flurry of fists 3 minutes and 58 seconds into Round 1. The action was a seesaw affair that saw Khashakyan start strong, only to be clipped in the nose and be bloodied shortly thereafter. Sensing a bit of urgency, Khashakyan increased the output on his attack as blood flowed from his nose and blitz the overmatched Morales with a fistic winning finish.
In addition to developing this generation’s next talent of MMA fighters, the LXF’s mission is to offer athletes from other sports a platform to step into the cage and pursue their dreams as fighters.
Former NFL defensive lineman Chris McCain seized the opportunity and took the stage to announce his intentions to compete in the LXF cage. McCain, who played 35 career games for the Chargers, Dolphins and Saints, said that he wants to become the next LXF heavyweight champion, and has been training for his crack at the title.
"MMA training is always something I’ve done in the NFL offseason," said McCain. "I can’t wait to takeoff at LXF."
Seven other action-packed fights rounded out the historic inaugural LXF show, presented by sponsors Amethyst Beverage, Limitless, Avati Auto Group, Hybrid Boost and NAZO Boxing.
Japanese sensation Yumma Horiuchi kicked his way to a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3) versus Benji Gomez.
Jonathan Quiroz evened his record to .500 by knocking out Julian Baez 2 minutes and 26 seconds into Round 1.
Serob Minasyan dominated Andrew Natividad for three rounds and secured a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).
Brian Del Rosario defeated Sergio Quinones with a D’arce Choke at the 2:33 mark of Round 1.
Melsik Baghdasaryan blitzed his way to a first round knockout of Mauricio Diaz to secure his first career MMA victory.
Ron Scolesdang made quick work of Milton Arguello with a knockout 33 seconds into Round 1.
Christopher Cruz secured a unanimous decision victory (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) over Jordan Minns in a California Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO) bout.
LXF2 will take place July 6, 2019 at the Burbank Marriott Events Center.
For ticket information, visit www.LightsOutXF.com.
