Queensland based Damien Brown successfully retained his XFC lightweight title on Saturday night with a third round TKO stoppage over New Zealand fighter Pumau Campbell.
The bout headlined XFC 26 which took place at the Mansfield Tavern in Queensland, Australia.
In a competitive and high-paced bout, both fighters had their moments. Brown secured an early takedown where the Integrated MMA trained fighter quickly was able to transition to his opponent’s back. Cammpbell, a BJJ brown belt, remained calm and worked back to his feet. Both fighters took turns in attempting a spinning back-fist, with neither landing significantly. After a small break to allow Brown to recover from an accidental low-blow, Campbell did land a series of punches that forced Brown on the front foot where he was secured a late trip takedown.
The fighters spent much of the second-round striking on the outside, with Brown controlling the centre of the cage. Campbell utilised a solid jab while Brown started to pepper Campbell’s lead leg with strong leg-kicks. Brown started to come forward with both finding their mark with jabs and straights.
To begin the third and final round, Campbell shot in for an early takedown which was successfully defended by Brown and a combination of strikes quickly turned the tide in Brown’s favour as Campbell looked to regain his composure. Brown immediately went on the prowl, where he continued to land big punches that sent Campbell stumbling further. The referee intervened to stop the contest 1:14 into the round.
With the win, thirty-one year-old Brown, who was awarded the Fight News Australia 2015 Domestic Fighter of the Year, moves his professional record to 15-8. It was his fifth straight win and fourth straight stoppage victory. The XFC title defense was his first since capturing it over Shane Young back at XFC 23.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Kiwi contingent with Matt Vaile claiming the XFC welterweight title with first-round submission over local fighter James Klingner in the semi-main event.
Training out of Incorporated Martial Arts in Hamilton, New Zealand, Vaile wasted no time in looking for the finish, aggressively throwing a series of strikes as Klingner covered up and looked to pick his shots. Vaile slowed down and Klingner began to open and land more which forced Vaile to shoot for a takedown. Off his back, Klingner attempted to lock up a kimura which Vaile was able to escape. He quickly transitioned to Klingner’s back where he locked the choke under the neck to force the tap.
The win came 2:31 into the bout with Vaile taking home the vacant XFC welterweight belt which is also the Ben Quarmby memorial belt following his passing last year.
Also on the card, Isaac Hardman stayed calm and composed, as he successfully defended the takedowns and dominated the stand-up en-route to a first-round stoppage over George Ryan.
While New Zealand fighter Luke Jumeau looked in great form as he stopped Damien Fraser with strikes in the opening round.
Results (Pro):
- Damien Brown (c) def Pumau Campbell via TKO (Punches), Rd 3, 1:14 – XFC lightweight title
- Matt Vaile def James Klingner via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 2:31 – XFC welterweight title
- Isaac Hardman def George Ryan via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 3:52
- Luke Jumeau def Damien Fraser via TKO (Elbows), Rd 1, 2:40
- Nick Skidmore def James Cristopoulos via TKO (Punches & Elbows), Rd 1, 3:54
Results (Amateur):
- Andy Stanway def Glen Pettigrew via TKO (Strikes), Rd 4, 1:37
- Tyson Myles def Darren Morris via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1, 1:26
- Paul Loga def Danny Monda via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 4, 1:23
- Adam Peebles def Michael McDaniel via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 2:59
- Mitch Morrison def Jamie Pang via TKO (Punches), Rd 2, 0:26b
