XFC 51: Evolution – A Gathering of MMA Nations in Milwaukee

October 1. 2024 – We were treated to an exhibition of skill, courage and combat-sport ruthlessness at XFC 51: Evolution in Milwaukee. With seven fights on the card, XFC 51 brought together a diverse roster of talent that offered something for everybody: heavyweights, lightweights, welterweights and strawweights… fighters from Brazil, the U.S. and Ukraine, representing some of the top MMA gyms and training centers around the world.

Fans from the Baird Center in Milwaukee and around the world via TrillerTV and the American Forces Network were tuned in, and the only thing we knew for sure was that 14 fighters would enter the Hexagon and seven would have their hands raised as the winners.

Performance of the Night honors were deservedly bestowed on Kenny Cross, who bested Emmanuel Sanchez in a bout that will be talked about by MMA fans for a long time to come.  Cross came out swinging from the opening bell and landed several hard punches in an attempt to end the fight with a KO, but Sanchez reminded everybody that he’s as tough as they come and gets stronger as the fight goes on.  As the contest proceeded into the second and third rounds, the fighters continued to trade blows, with Cross landing a few more and with more authority.  As the energy and noise level inside the Baird Center got dialed up to level 10, it was edge-of-the-seat action and the contest hung in the balance.

Despite sustaining heavy damage and bleeding profusely, Sanchez came within seconds of pulling off the win when the fighters went to the ground and he appeared to have Cross on the defensive with his renowned thug-jitsu grappling skills. Cross stayed patient, was able to escape the hold and get back his feet, and for the remainder of the fight the two went toe-to-toe and traded hands until the final bell.  This was XFC action at its finest, with the bout going the distance and both combatants showing signs they’d been in a real test.  Cross was awarded a unanimous decision, a well-earned victory that will go down in the annals of XFC lore. Catch the replay on TrillerTV!

In the much-anticipated Main Event, Zac Pauga and Alex Nicholson squared off in a heavyweight bout between fighters who both won at XFC Grand Prix II in Detroit.  The big fellas traded blows in round 1 with both fighters connecting, Pauga being more of the aggressor with a couple strong takedowns that Nicholson was able to get out of with his crafty work along the edges of the Hexagon.  In the second round, Nicholson came out with damage on his mind, intending to take the fight to Pauga. After initially stunning Pauga with an uppercut, the skies opened and a barrage of Nicholson’s fists, forearms, elbows and knees started to rain down. The referee jumped in moments later and Nicholson was a clear winner by way of ground-and-pound TKO.

A word about the Baird Center: a beautiful and recently renovated facility in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the XFC production team transformed one of the exhibit halls into an intimate, raucous fight club. Fans were super close to the action and there was not a bad seat in the house. MMA legends Jeremy Stephens and Henry Cejudo were in attendance, as was Univ. of Wisconsin – Parkside wrestler Cayden Henschel, all recently signing on as brand ambassadors for XFC. Also spotted was Keelon “Mugzy” Jimison, who had some fun in the XFC Hexagon with Henschel in advance of their upcoming charity-event wrestling match.

While in Milwaukee for the event, XFC hosted an adult social group from the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center for individuals of differing abilities to enjoy social, recreational, and educational programs. XFC broadcaster Jessica Aguilar hosted and led the event, and several fighters and brand ambassadors were there to train and spend time with the participants inside the Hexagon.  It’s truly inspiring and a reminder of the blessings we each have in our lives to watch the interactions that take place at XFC community events.  As an organization we are always thinking about the bigger picture and taking time to give back to the communities where we work and host events.

The evening was filled with several entertaining bouts as XFC continues to put together strong fight cards and well-balanced matchups.  No pushovers here.  A recap of the evening’s winners at XFC 51:

• Artur Minev celebrated his birthday by defeating Brandon Evans with a submission via guillotine choke in the 1^st
• Ronny Markes beat Lawrence Phillips with a 1^st round TKO.
• Rayla Nascimento earned a unanimous decision over Viviane Pereira in a highly entertaining rematch.
• Sidney Outlaw submitted Dan Moret with a rear naked choke in the 1^st
• Kenny Cross won a unanimous decision over Emmanuel Sanchez and earned Performance of the Night honors.
• Dilano Taylor submitted Handesson Ferreira, also with a rear naked choke in the 1^st
• Alex Nicholson bested Zac Pauga by ground-and-pound TKO in the 2^nd