In a rematch of their battle earlier this year, Jacob Mahony and Shantaram Maharaj will clash for the XFC Bantamweight title on November 9. The promotion confirmed the match-up earlier this week with 2010 Commonwealth Games boxer Dane Mulivai also announced to appear on the card against Melbourne fighter Kael Coster.
Maharaj and Mahony clashed in the final of the Eternal MMA four-man tournament back in May. In the one-night tournament Maharaj had a much tougher first round fight before he stopped Luke Morris with a second round submission while Mahony did it much easier, submitting Matthew George with a first round rear-naked choke.
When the two clashed later in the night, Maharaj went on the front foot straight away however Mahony capitalised as Maharaj left his neck out. Mahony pulled guard and forced Maharaj to tap due to the guillotine choke only 2:13 into the fight to take the tournament.
Training out of the Five Rings Dojo on the Gold Coast, Maharaj bounced back and forced the second round TKO stoppage over Mark Brady at XFC 19 before losing to talented American Ben Nguyen in his most recent outing.
Now based out of the Advanced MMA gym, Mahony is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Chris Morris back at Fightworld Cup 15 earlier this month and will be keen to regain a title when he meets Maharaj.
The bantamweight title was previously held by Michael Tobin however was vacated with Tobin now concentrating on fighting at featherweight.
Since making his debut as a professional after the 2010 Commonwealth games, Mulivai is undefeated across Muay-Thai, Combat8, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts. Mulivai made his MMA debut at XFC 19 last month and stopped the veteran fighter with punches late in the second round.
His opponent will be a fellow striker in Kael Coster who has captured regional titles in kickboxing. Training out of the Kimekai MMA gym in Melbourne, Coster made his MMA debut earlier this year and came out victorious, submitting his opponent with a first round rear-naked choke.
Also confirmed for the fight, Kyle Parmley will return to take on James Klingner in a welterweight fight while Morgan Scott from Empire MMA will meet Justin Wood in a flyweight contest.
