FightXC at The Fillmore - Apr 23, 2010

Mixed martial arts will return to Downtown Detroit when regional promotion FightXC makes its debut at The Fillmore Detroit (formerly known as the State Theatre) in late April with a show designed to pack the building.

FightXC is promising The Fillmore Detroit’s management team a show stacked with all-star caliber regional talent, as well as some appearances from MMA’s elite performers on April 23rd.

Albert Rowe, FightXC’s promoter, stressed how thrilled he was with the partnership between his MMA promotion and one of Detroit’s most storied venues.

“The history behind The Fillmore Detroit is mind blowing when you really sit back and consider it,” Rowe said. “When you say that anybody who is anybody in music history has performed at the Fillmore, it’s not just hyperbole. We’re honored to add another exciting and original facet to that history.”

FightXC, which is headquartered in Redford, Michigan, made a profound impression on the local MMA landscape on January 22nd when it sold out its first major show at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.

Jennifer Berkemeier, special events director for The Fillmore Detroit, expressed her excitement at having FightXC perform in her building.

“The Fillmore Detroit is thrilled to have FightXC grace our lovely building, and we hope this is just the first of many live mixed martial arts events that FightXC will allow us to host for them,” Berkemeier said. “MMA is a sport with a huge, burgeoning fanbase, and The Fillmore Detroit’s management team is looking forward to contributing to its growth.”

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St. Valentines Day Massacre - Feb 12, 2010

Taylor resident Randall “Dozer” Wallace will be defending his heavyweight championship against Ray “The War Machine” Rocheleau at FightXC’s “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” at Crystal Gardens in Howell on Friday, February 12th.

The match-up between the two top-ranked Michigan heavyweights was announced during intermission before the standing-room-only Crystal Gardens crowd of more than two thousand at FightXC’s “Night of Champions” on January 22nd.

Undefeated in four mixed-martial-arts contests, Wallace will be making the first defense of his title against Rocheleau (6-1), a Monroe native and an offensive tackle for the Wayne State University football team.

At 6’7” and 265 pounds, Rocheleau will enjoy a decided size advantage over the 225-pound champion. Wallace won the title with a first-round TKO victory over Josh Bezeau in December.

“I have all the natural advantages,” Rocheleau said shortly after the fight was announced. “I’m bigger, stronger and faster than him. I think he’s pretty scared, so I get a lot of confidence from that.”

Wallace, while acknowledging the challenger’s natural advantages, suggested the advantages he has over Rocheleau are less visible.

“I know he’s big and strong, but he doesn’t have the endurance that I have,” Wallace said. “I know I’m the underdog, but I have the edge in training specifically for this sport.”

Dominick Sindone and Brandon Noble will also be defending their championships at the event.

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Night Of Champions - Jan 22, 2010

Carleton resident Deven “Bad News” Brown will be defending his FightXC featherweight championship against undefeated challenger Josh “The Smooth Criminal” Johnson in the main event of FightXC’s “Night of Champions.”

A former state champion wrestler from Airport High School and undefeated in five mixed-martial-arts fights, Brown will be making the second defense of his title on Friday, January 22nd at Crystal Gardens of Southgate in one of five championship fights.

“Josh and I are both undefeated, but I clearly have more ring experience,” Brown said. “If I get inside, he won’t be able to stop me. I’m going to overwhelm him, and he’s not going to know what hit him.”

Johnson, a well-trained practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, assessed Brown’s strengths and identified takedown ability as the only advantage the champion may hold over him.

“He might be able to take me down,” Johnson said, “But, so what? He’s just not seasoned enough to deal with someone of my caliber.”

Also defending their respective championships will be Dominick Sindone, Brandon Noble, Brandon Maddox and Paul Maffesoli. FightXC middleweight champion Adam Trombley will be competing in a non-title, catch-weight fight.

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