It was a beautiful night for XFO’s “Outdoor War”. The temperature was perfect, coupled with a slight, soothing breeze as MMA fans sat on chairs in the sand to watch 2 full cards for XFO 31.

Big Poppa Schnake was on the mic and in rare form as many MMA luminaries came out to see the action. Tim Sylvia, Jeff Curran, Clay Guida and Stephan Bonnar were all in attendance, and the card did not disappoint.

WEC and KOTC vet Dave Terrel looked dominant in his first fight in more than a year. There wasn’t a hint of ring rust as he battered around Team No Ego’s Brent Mehrhoff, needing less than a minute to win by TKO.

The biggest cheers of the night were for hometown favorite and current XFO heavyweight champion Mike Marrello. Marrello was in control for round 1, spending most of the round on top of Rich Lictawa and effectively landing strikes. Round 2 was a different story as Lictawa came out and quickly landed a few punches. Marrello got the fight to the ground but the ref stood up the fighters after some inactivity.

Lictawa landed some power shots and Marrello wobbled a bit on his feet. But he moved in and landed a big knee from the clinch which made the crowd roar. Lictawa waved Marrello in a few times as if to say it the knee didn’t faze him. He then landed a few quick punches, scooped Marrello up and laid him on his back. From there he mounted Marrello and started landing a barrage of strikes. Marrello stayed active, trying to roll out and change positions. But Lictawa got his back and after several powerful right hands the ref stepped in and stopped the fight at 4:19 of round 2.

MTC’s Tony Marti had Clay Guida as one of his cornermen, but needed no assistance in a quick submission of Danny Rodriguez. Marti immediately took the fight to the ground. Rodriguez got up but Marti had one arm locked in for a guillotine. He quickly got the other arm around Rodriguez’s neck and got the tap.

Local fighter Ryan Sturdy also was met with huge cheers and support from the fans. Tough veteran and current TFC 185 champ Bill Hill gave Sturdy a good fight. Hill looked impressive in round 1 turning a quick single-leg into a takedown and landing some strikes. From there the action stalled and the ref stood the fighters up. Hill tried smothering Sturdy against the cage but Sturdy landed some nice elbows and body shots.

Round 2 was much of the same. But round 3 was an exciting back and forth in the clinch, with both fighters landing solid knees. Sturdy also had the shot of the round, a right uppercut that hammered Hill. Sturdy was a unanimous decision winner.

MTC fighter and current XFO lightweight champ Jon Murphy entered the ring with Clay Guida behind him holding his belt high above his head. But he ended up on the losing side of a tough 3 round battle with IFL and XFO vet Mike Corey, who won by split decision.

The main event featured Team Curran’s Pat Curran against Lucas Gwaltney. Curran opened up with a big right and then got Gwaltney to the ground. From there he mounted him and fired a barrage of big shots, one of which opened a huge gash on Gwaltney’s forehead. The ref called time and brought in the doc to check out the cut. The doctor stopped the bout and Curran won via TKO. Curran has lightning-fast hands that are full of power. Don’t be surprised if he soon makes the leap to a bigger promotion.

Results:

145 Pete Grimes vs. Dwayne Shelton: Grimes d. Shelton, Submission- RNC, 1:50 Rd. 1

185 Jason Bowling vs. Igor Almeida: Almeida d. Bowling, Submission- Armbar, 1:30 Rd. 1

170 Brent Mehrhoff vs. Dave Terrel: Terrel d. Mehrhoff, TKO- Strikes, :47 Rd. 1

205 Rich Lictawa vs. Mike Marrello: Lictawa d. Marrello, TKO- Strikes, 4:19 Rd. 2

145 Danny Rodriguez vs. Tony Marti: Marti d. Rodriguez, Submission- Guillotine, :29 Rd. 1

185 Bill Hill vs. Ryan Sturdy: Sturdy d. Hill, Unanimous Decision

155 Mike Corey vs. Jon Murphy: Corey d. Murphy, Split Decision

155 Lucas Gwaltney vs. Pat Curran: Curran d. Gwaltney, TKO- Strikes/Doctor Stoppage, 1:32 Rd. 1