2010 Australian Commonwealth Games representative Shane Parker (pictured) has stepped up to replace Tyson Kroehn on the upcoming XFC 19 fight card scheduled to be held at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane, Queensland on July 20.
Parker steps in to face Liam Harley as part of the four-man bantamweight tournament, with the winner getting an opportunity to challenge for the XFC Bantamweight Title – currently held by Michael Tobin in early 2014.
It will be professional debut for Parker who as an amateur has victories over Tom Cruz and One Fighting Championships fighter Thanh Vu. The 25 year-old trains at the Ultimate Training Centre/Bee Stings Gym under the tutelage of Stephan Jaeggi. His opponent will be Liam Harley who will have a size advantage and more experience as a professional which includes a recent win over Matthew George. Harley trains out of the Brothers MMA gym on the Sunshine Coast and on the weekend captured
In the other tournament bout, 5 Rings Dojo fighter Shantaram Maharaj will be looking at returning with a win after losing in the final of the Eternal MMA one-night bantamweight tournament to Jacob Mahony. Maharaj made his way to the final with an entertaining submission win over Luke Morris. His opponent will be a team-mate of Mahony in the name of 20 year-old youngster Mark Brady fighting out of the Impact MMA gym.
Tyson Kroehn was originally scheduled for the tournament took the opportunity to announce via social media that he was retiring from Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and will be now concentrating on Kickboxing & Muay-Thai.
The winner of the tournament will get an opportunity to fight for the XFC Bantamweight Title which currently is held by Michael Tobin who at XFC will be moving up to challenge Impact MMA Fighter Adrian Rodriguez for the XFC Featherweight Title.
Further amateur fights are expected to be announced shortly.
MMA Fights (Pro):
- Michael Tobin vs Adrian Rodriguez – XFC Featherweight Title
- Dane Mulivai vs Jay Cobain
- Taylor Harvey vs Mitch Warner
- Shane Parker vs Liam Harley
- Shantaram Maharaj vs Mark Brady
- Api Hemara vs Taipari Rikihana
MMA Fights (Amateur):
- Tim Marshall vs Nix Agulto – XFC Bantamweight Amateur Title
- Kyle Parmley vs Hayden Barker – XFC Welterweight Amateur Title
- Jayden Eynaud vs Zac Bennett – XFC Lightweight Amateur Title
- Jonas Rasmussen vs Evan Creek – Charity Fight (Home For Haiti)
