Local pro Gabe Salinas-Jones will be fighting Scott Barrett at XFC 18 in Nashville on June 22.

Salinas-Jones (6-2-1) will be making his third appearance for the XFC. He fought Parker Porter in his first two matches, dropping the first and then submitting Porter in the second bout.

His last two bouts have come in Strikeforce. He was able to display his ground game against Brian Humes in front of his home crowd here in Chicago, submitting Humes in the 3rd round last July at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson. But he dropped a decision in his last bout to Devin Cole in December.

Scott “The Bear” Barrett may be a familiar name to Chicago fight fans. He fought Damian Grabowski at Bellator 25 at the Chicago Theatre in August, 2010. Barrett is a heavy-handed brawler that Salinas-Jones will want to get to the ground, even though Barrett has a strong wrestling base. “If I want Scott Barrett on his back, he will be on his back,” Salinas-Jones told the XFC.

He seems unfazed at the prospect of fighting Barrett. He offered his thoughts on how he thinks it will go down in an interview with the XFC website. “A beer in my hand at a country dive bar, after a one sided beat down of Scott Barrett on national TV. I’m the fighter that everyone else is going to be gunning for and the 22nd is just the beginning,” said Salinas-Jones.

Salinas-Jones has learned the hard way not to let fights go to a decision. In his  three pro fights that have gone to the score cards, 2 have resulted in losses, the other in a draw. He has won all of his other bouts.

“I’m excited to have Gabe in our Heavyweight division,” said XFC President John Prisco.  “He put on a good show at (XFC) 13 and has gained a lot more experience since then. I’m positive the fans in Nashville and those watching live on HDNet will enjoy the show, as well as  getting to know Gabe as an XFC Fighter.”

Salinas-Jones is also excited to be back in the XFC. “I want the XFC belt! When I first fought for XFC, that was my goal and it still is. I can’t wait to make a statement in front of the Nashville fans and all those around the world watching on HDNet. When I signed the deal, it was discussed that I was going to be really active throughout my contract. I seriously can tell you how excited I am to be fighting for XFC,” said Salinas-Jones.

XFC 18 airs live on HDnet, June 22 at 9pm, from Nashville, Tennessee. For more info on the event visit  www.OfficialXFC.com.

We spoke with Josh about the injury and when he’ll make his pro debut, how he made the massive switch from a heavyweight fighter down to middleweight, why he chose to switch camps and more.

Listen to the interview below.

The Beebe brothers — Chase and Carson — were both back in action on Saturday night in Kokomo, Indiana, fighting at Colosseum Combat XXI.

Chase was featured in the main event against Cory Mahon, and finished his work quickly with some devastating ground and pound.

Carson had some ground and pound of his own for opponent Brady Hovermale, taking the fight to the ground early in the first and doing damage from top position. Carson won via unanimous decision.

Chase made it two straight wins with his TKO of Mahon, and Carson made it five straight wins.

Jeff Curran will fight Johnny Eduardo in Virginia on Tuesday as part of the UFC on Fuel event. The MMA pioneer spoke with Chicago’s MMA about an array of topics over the weekend.

On facing Eduardo:
“Even though Eduardo has been around for a long time like myself, I don’t know him and didn’t know much about him until I signed to fight him. But we watched some tape of him fighting, and we know how Nova Uniao guys fight. I’m very confident I’ll come out with a win on Tuesday.”

On his ground game:
“I think what people on the big stage have yet to see from me is my ground game when I have top position. That is where I am most dangerous and where I can really dominate fights. I think I have one of the better guards in the game, but most every fighter has excellent submission defense.

On TRT:
“I actually looked into TRT and had my doctor check my levels. My count is low due to my age and probably all the wars I’ve been in. But there’s so much that goes into using it that I would never take it. Because if you don’t do it right or have one failed test then you open yourself up to all the media scrutiny and it’s really not worth it.

“I don’t care if other guys take it, I personally don’t feel like (dealing with) all the stress and paperwork that would go into doing it so I avoid looking into it further. It all comes down to technique. I know that past steroid use is one of the reasons for low testosterone and it’s interesting that when the guys who were absolutely killing it in PRIDE came over here to fight in the states it was a totally different story. But for now TRT is legal and I don’t care that fighters do it. I just won’t.”

Watch Jeff Curran fight Johnny Eduardo tomorrow on Facebook. And if you’d like to train with Jeff and the rest of Team Curran, visit their new facility:

Team Curran MMA
110 W. Woodstock St. Unit E
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-356-0454

Bogguess beat Mikey Santiago at XFO 43, locking him up with a guillotine and putting him to sleep in just :32. He’s won four consecutive fights, with the last three ending in the first round from Bogguess’ vice-like guillotine choke.

Brooks has run through everyone he’s been up against in both his amateur and pro careers. He’s 5-0 with his last 4 wins coming by submission. He last fought in October at Chicago Cagefighting Championship IV, beating the always-tough Ryan Bixler with a second round rear naked choke.

In other fights, MTC fighter Josh Estrada will be making his pro debut against an opponent yet to be determined. Estrada told Chicago’s MMA that the fight will either be at 185, or a catchweight of 195. Estrada has fought at both heavyweight and 205 in his amateur career, and recently made quick work of Chris Appleton at the Rumble on the River’s 10th Anniversary Show. Estrada jumped all over Appleton early and never relented, claiming a victory by TKO due to strikes.

MTC’s Andre Feliciano will be making his second professional fight, taking on Team Curran’s Phil Williams. Both fighters made their pro debuts at XFO 43, and both scored victories. Williams choked out James Smith in the first round, while Feliciano’s win came via a hard fought decision win over Jerald Williams.

Here’s the rest of the card as it currently sits, and we’ll have more on XFO 44 as we get closer to the event.

Tory Bogguess vs Will Brooks
Brandon Adamson vs Mike Budnik
Joshua Killion vs Christopher Haney
Ryan Storey vs Matt Tobie
Phil Williams vs Andre Feliciano
Corey Simmons vs Cory Galloway
Ramy Daoud vs TBD
Josh Estrada vs TBD

Visit XFOMMA.com for tickets.

Muay Thai: Axel “The Phantom” Mendez vs Anthony Pazmino (Mendezl via Decision)Alphonso Graves vs Jacob Ryan Judiscak (Judiscak via Rear Naked Choke)

Mark your calendars now for a special seminar with Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet Chicago North in Deerfield. The seminar is from noon to 4pm on Saturday, June 9th. Pre-register for just $100, or pay $120 at the door if there are any availabilities left.

Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu came to Chicago in July, 2011, and it is headed by Josh Passini.

10th Planet Chicago North
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Chicago North
Spectre Fit
1480 Old Deerfield Rd Suite 15
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-579-9120

Email: Josh@10thplanetjjchicago.com

All of these great snaps were taken by Herb Staten of Scales Off Media. If you would like to purchase any prints, please click here for the full gallery of Rumble on the River pictures.

Rumble on the River, 4/21/12

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Results from the 10th anniversary of “Rumble on the River”, in Rockford, Il on April 21, 2012.

Heavyweight Kickboxing Title: Josh Labree vs. Andrew Navickis

Josh Labree def. Andrew Navicikis via unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Title: Matt Hamlin vs. Jeff Robinson

Jeff Robinson def. Mike Hamlin, TKO-strikes, 1:23 of round 1.

145lb. Women’s Featherweight Title: Alyssa Vasquez vs. Fallon Fox

Fallon Fox defeats Alyssa Vazquez tap-triangle choke, 1:10 of round 1

155lb.Lightweight Title: Oliver Vasquez vs. Kevin Thomas

Oliver Vazquez def. Kevin Thomas via unanimous decision.

170lb.Welterweight Title: Heath Hilderbrand vs. Ryan Troung

Ryan Troung def. Heath Hilderbrand, Tap via armbar, 1:20 of round 1

135lb.Bantamweight Title: Jake Trigleth vs. John Box

John Box def. Jake Trigleth, TKO-strikes, 1:27 of rd. 3

MAINCARD

Cody Colson vs. John MooreJohn Moore def. Cody Colson, TKO-strikes, 1:12 of round 1

Phil Smith vs. Michael AndrewkitusAndrewkitus def. Smith, unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 cards

Josh Estrada vs. Chris Appleton-Josh Estrada def. Chris Appleton, TKO-strikes, 2:45 of round 1.

Kevin Voght vs. Steven Schrorer- Steve Schorer def. Kevin Voght via armbar at 2:48 of round 1.

Tony Cano vs. Blake Polk (Kickboxing)- Tony Cano def. Blake Polk, 29-28 on all 3 cards

Joe Hanley vs. Scott Dash Joe Hanley def. Scott Dash, TKO-strikes, :29 of round 1

Tony Simmons vs. Joe RuizJoe Ruiz def. Tony Simmons, TKO-strikes, 1:03 of round 2.

Carlos De La Maria vs. Peris Young (Muay That)- Carlos De La Maria def. Peris Young, three knockdowns in one round-ref stoppage 1:20 of round 1

Carlos Guzman vs. James Motorshead-James Motorshead def. Carlos Guzman via unanimous decision, 30-27 on all 3 cards.

Keith Matkin vs. Angel Cabral-Angel Cabral def. Keith Matkin, TKO-strikes, :29 of round 2

Jason Adams vs. Trevor Rose- Jason Adams def. Trevor Rose, Tap from strikes, :22 of round 1.

Jason Belyew vs. Tim Phinney-Jason Belyew def. Tim Phinney, TKO via strikes, 1:45 of round 1.

Cord Mapes vs. Andrew Adler- Cord Mapes def. Andrew adler via tap-rnc, :19 of round 1

Larry Bonds vs. Kevin Switalla – Switalla def. Bonds via guilltoine at 2:18 of round 1.

Mike Mahurin vs. Nick Lasher- Nick Lasher def. Mike Mahurin tko- strikes :55 of rd.1

UNDERCARD

Robbie Taylor vs. Nick Weber- Taylor def. Weber, guillotine, 1:37 of rd. 1
Austin Allen vs. Dylan Hammond- Hammond def. Allen via Peruvian necktie, 1:36 of rd. 1
Chad Pierce vs. Colorado Shields- Pierce def. Shields, tap/guillotine, 2:53 of rd. 2
Taylor Wood vs. Jordan Dyer (kickboxing)- Dyer wins via unanimous decision.
Dylan Roed vs. Zac Taylor- Taylor def. Roed, TKO-strikes, :51 of rd. 1
Rachelle Bacon vs. Kalaih Ballard- Bacon def. Ballard, armbar, :42 of rd. 1
Eric Treijuna vs. Joseph Nichin- Terijuna def. Nichin, RNC-tap at 1:12 of rd. 1
Kelly Jordan vs. Nylon Warren- Jordan def. Warren, TKO- ref stoppage due to strikes, :55 of rd. 1

The event will take place in the Grand Ballroom at Cliffbreakers Resort, 700 W. Riverside Blvd. in Rockford on Saturday night. Here is the card:

Robbie Taylor vs. Don Heunfield
Rachelle Bacon vs. Kalaih Ballard
Chad Pierce vs. Colorado Shields
Robie Taylor vs. Nick Weber
Dylan Roed vs. Zac Taylor
Eric Tirejuna vs. Joseph Nichin
Kelly Jordan vs. Nylon Warren
Nick Lasher vs. Mike Mahurin
Kevin Switalla vs. Larry Bonds
Cord Mapes vs. Andrew Adler
Jason Belyew vs. Tim Phinney
Jason Adams vs. Willie Ishman
Keith Matkin vs. Angel Cabral
Roberto Guzman vs. James Motorshead
Carlos De La Maria vs. Peris Young
Tony Simmons vs. Joe Ruiz
Joe Hanley vs. Kyle Mikula
Tony Cano vs. Blake Polk
Kevin Voght vs. Steven Schrorer
Josh Estrada vs. Chris Appleton
Phil Smith vs. Michael Andrewkitus
Cody Colson vs. John Moore
Jake Trigleth vs. John Box
Heath Hilderbrand vs. Ryan Troung
Oliver Vasquez vs. Kevin Thomas
Fallon Fox vs. Alyssa Vasquez
Matt Hamlin vs. Jeff Robinson
Andrew Navickis vs. Josh Labree