Jeff Curran makes his return to the Octagon Saturday night against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137. Curran says that it’s “put up or shut up” time.

Local fighters Carson Beebe and Dustin Neace are on the UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter” season 14 roster.

Beebe fights out of Gilbert Grappling and Midwest Training Center, and is one of the youngest fighters on the show at age 22. He is 7-1 as a pro, and just fought and defeated Matt Wikoff at Rockford Cage Fights on August 13. Beebe has also fought locally at Chicago Cagefighting Championship, Ruckus and XFO.

Neace fights out of Matt Hughes HIT Squad in Granite City, Illinois. Neace is just 24 but has already amassed 42 pro fights. He lost to Jeff Curran here in Chicago at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers event, and has also fought at C3 and Ruckus.

Indiana’s Casey Dyer, who fought as an amateur at XFO 31 and XFO 34 is also on the roster.

Here is the promo for the new season, and below that is the complete cast for the show, which debuts Sept. 21 on Spike TV.

John Albert
Victory Athletics
Puyallup, WA

Johnny Bedford
F3 Alliance
Watuga, TX

Carson Beebe
Gilbert Grappling
Western Springs, IL

Roland Delorme
Winnipeg Academy of MMA
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

T.J. Dillashaw
Team Alpha Male
Sacramento, CA

John Dodson
Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts
Albuquerque, NM.

Casey Dyer
No affiliation
New Castle, IN

B.J. Ferguson
All-American MMA
Louisville, KY

Josh Ferguson
All-American MMA
Louisville, KY.

Louis Gaudinot
Team Tiger Schulmann
Yonkers, NY

Matt Jaggers
Team Wolfpack
Connersville, IN

Tateki Matsuda
Team Sityodtong
Boston, MA

Paul McVeigh
Dinky Ninjas
Glasgow, Scotland

Brandon Merkt
The Academy
New Richmond, WI

Dustin Pague
MASE MMA
Centreville, VA

Orville Smith
Integrated Fighting
Indianapolis, IN

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Stephen Bass
Lloyd Irvin MMA
Savannah, GA

Dennis Bernudez
Long Island MMA
Massapequa, NY

Diego Brandao
Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts
Albuquerque, NM

Marcus Brimage
American Top Team
Coconut Creek, FL

Bryan Caraway
Team Alpha Male
Sacramento, CA

Josh Clopton
Skrap Pack
San Francisco, CA

Akira Corassani
Team Kaobon
Gothenburg, Sweden

Karsten Lenjoint
Wolfslair Academy
Nottingham, United Kingdom

Eric Marriott
Grindhouse MMA
Independence, MO

Micah Miller
Coconut Creek, FL
American Top Team

Dustin Neace
H.I.T. Squad
Granite City, IL

Jesse Newell
Knuckleheadz
BoxingVentura, CA

Brian Pearman
Springfield Fight Club
Springfield, MO

Jimmie Rivera
Team Tiger Schulmann
Elmwood Park, NJ
Record: 8-1
Age: 21

Steven Siler
Riven Academy
Ogden, UT

Bryson Wailehua-Hansen
MMA Development
Honolulu, HI

Here’s some video of Felice Herrig getting ready for her bout with Kelly Warren at Fight Tour in Rockford this Saturday. Warren fights out of Jackson’s MMA.

Curran talks about Felice’s strengths, and how he doesn’t think any fighter will be able to match her pace at 115 lbs.

Check out our Fight Tour Rockford preview.

When Jeff Curran entered the arena for his XFO 39 fight against Billy Vaughan, his manager was right behind him, holding high a blue UFC hat and pointing at the logo emblazoned on the front. The message was clear: Jeff Curran wants back in the UFC.

He’s getting his wish. Curran confirmed to us that he did indeed sign a multi-fight deal with the UFC, as first reported by MMA Junkie.

MMA Junkie also reports that Curran’s first opponent on the new deal will be Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137. That event will feature GSP vs. Nick Diaz, and takes place October 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

It’s one of the feel-good stories of the year in MMA. Curran is one of the most respected martial artists in the game, and has had to overcome quite a bit of adversity to make it back to MMA’s biggest stage.

He endured a four-fight losing streak in the WEC, a broken arm and  then surgery to fix that arm. When he enters the Octagon in October, it will have been over seven years since his last UFC appearance.

“It’s been a long road back but I am more game than ever,” Curran told Chicago’s MMA. “It’s time to live up to my own expectations of myself and make all the sacrifices and ups and downs worth it.”

He’ll get ready for the Jorgensen fight at Curran Martial Arts in Crystal Lake, saying he doesn’t feel the need to go train at another gym like Miguel Torres and other fighters have done.

“I will be doing my training at Team Curran as always. If I need a getaway from business or work then I would go spend time training at ATT [American Top Team] or with one of my other affiliated teams. But I’ll probably stay home 100% because I got the best guys [training partners] I could ask for right at home,” Curran said.

Curran will have his hands full with the dynamic Jorgensen, who rattled off five straight wins before fighting Dominick Cruz for the WEC bantamweight title. Jorgensen lost that bout in a lopsided, unanimous decision, but he is a very dangerous opponent with knockout power and a solid ground game. He needed little time to get back to his winning ways when he beat Ken Stone via TKO in his first UFC fight at the TUF 13 finale.

Curran will enjoy both a height and reach advantage against Jorgensen, something he didn’t always have when he fought at 145. If he beats Jorgensen, he immediately thrusts himself into contender discussion.

After he beat Vaughan at XFO 39, he laid down the law in a post-fight interview. “You’ll never see me in the XFO again,” Curran said. “If the UFC doesn’t want me then I’m done.” The UFC called. And that’s good news for Curran and fight fans.

Camp dates: Jul 8-10
location: Curran Martial Arts, Crystal Lake, IL
Guests: Luis Heredia, Jeff Curran

Pricing
Association Members:
Full Camp: $225
Friday (3 hours): $85
Saturday (6 hours): $160
Sunday (3 hours): $85

Non Assoc. Attendees:
Full Camp: $250
Friday (3 hours): $95
Saturday (6 hours): $180
Sunday (3 hours): $95

Reserve your spot here.

Many were surprised by that statement. Curran has been in the game for a long time, but he is only 33 years old and has won 4 of his last 5 fights. So I followed up with Jeff via e-mail and asked him about his XFO 39 post-fight comments.

“I wasn’t frustrated with Billy,” Curran said. “I am a “Play safe” fighter when I don’t know much about them. He was punching hard and hasn’t been KO’d from what I know. My hard shots weren’t affecting him much. Either way, I meant what I said. I have won 4 of my last 5 fights actually and UFC is interested in me. Just not sure when. So, I am gonna sit back and wait. UFC or BUST!”

It’s good to hear that the UFC is interested because Curran has too much to offer to the fight game to call it a career. There are still plenty of fights out there for him.

“You’ll never see me in the XFO again,” Curran said. “If the UFC doesn’t want me then I’m done.”

You ought to take a man at his word, but I wonder if he was speaking a bit out of frustration in having to go to a decision to beat Vaughan.

After all, since leaving the WEC, Curran has won 3 of his last 4 fights, including the one against David Love where he re-injured his arm. He later needed surgery on the arm, and XFO 39 was his first fight in 5 months.

Time will tell, but even if the UFC isn’t ready to welcome back Curran, I still don’t think we’ve seen the last of him as a fighter.

Live results for XFO 39. The Vince Ramos vs. Ivan Wolshlager bout has been scatched. Ramos did not make weight according to MMA Recap.

Nick Scotti Vs. Hector Garcia (155)

Garcia KOs Scotti just :13 into round 1. He was out from the power right, but it will be ruled a TKO as the ref was slow to get to him and Garcia landed 2 more before it was waved off. On the way out of the cage, Scotti asked his coach if he was out and his coach said that he was. Good stoppage.

Will Brooks Vs. Bobby Reardanz (155)

Reardanz got off early, landing some head kicks. But Brooks controlled the cage and did more damage as the round went on. He landed a hard knee to the body that felled Reardanz near the end of the round. We score it 10-9 Brooks.

Brooks lands a right cross to start round 2, then drops Reardanz with a knee to the forehead. Brooks is doing what he wants now. 3 straight knees to the head from the clinch spill blood from Reardanz, and Brooks pulls off a power slam that makes the crowd roar. It was all Brooks from pillar to post, I can see if it was scored 10-9, but we score it 10-8.

Round 3 begins with another barrage from Brooks. A right cross drops Reardanz and Brooks smothers him. This needs should be stopped, as any contact sends Reardanz to the ground. Brooks gets full mount and mixes elbows and punches. They roll a bit and Brooks grabs an arm and submits Reardanz. Amazing performance by Brooks, with props to Reardanz for his courage. Brooks via tap/armbar at 3:22.

Kent Rexford Jr. Vs. P.J. Cajigas (190)

Rexford got his eye dotted early in the round, but then took control. He spent most of the round on top, doing damage with elbows and strikes. He took Cajigas’ back near the end of round 1 and choked him out at 4:47.

Michele Gutierrez Vs. Amanda LaVoy

Gutierrez is landing power rights, dropping LaVoy to the canvas twice. LaVoy remains game, and tries to clinch and throw knees. Nothing connects cleanly. But LaVoy does recover to make it an interesting round, and almost closes Gutierrez’ left eye. Still, 10-9 Gutierrez.

Round 2 begins and Gutierrez’ eye gets busted open and she is leaking badly. The ref stops the fight and calls for the doctor. The end comes at :24 as the doctor calls the fight. LaVoy wins by TKO, and tells me as she leaves the cage that the it was her knee that opened the gash on Gutierrez’ forehead.

Dan Stittgen Vs. Jason “Reaper” Graves

The fighters battle for position and Stittgen is able to roll into an armbar. It’s quick work as Graves has to tap. 1:10 of round 1.

Jon Murphy Vs. Lucas Gwaltney

Murphy dominated round 1 with takedowns and punishment from top position. He trapped Murphy’s arm across his own face and dropped some big bombs that bloodied Gwaltney’s face. We have it 10-9 Murphy.

Round 2 is action-packed with some excellent scrambles. Murphy is on the hunt for more takedowns, but Gwaltney counters with elbows to keep him off his back. Gwaltney reverses position an hammerfists Murphy. A brief doctor stoppage to check Gwaltney’s bloodied face, but action resumes.

Gwaltney lands a body kick that hurts Murphy. Jeff Curran calling for Murphy to set up his shots because Gwaltney knows they are coming. Gwaltney ends the round with a catch and it’s his round, 10-9. Awesome bout.

3rd round is full of action again, with Murphy getting takedowns but Gwaltney countering with unorthodox strikes. It goes the distance though, and the crowd boos as Gwaltney gets the UD, 29-28 across all 3 cards.

Daniel Aguirre Vs. TJ Kinney (135)

Aguirre — behind the biggest fanbase of the night — wastes no time in getting Kinney to the ground. He locks in a triangle, adjusts in several times and finally gets a tap at 2:20 of round 1. The cageside doctor was screaming to stop the fight as Kinney appeared totally out, but after the fight was stopped he popped right up to his feet. Very strange.

Mike Stumpf Vs. Dan Bolden

Spirited grappling between the 2 combatants that goes to the scorecards. Mike Stumpf controlled the pace and the cage and wins via unanimous decision.

Felice “Lil Bulldog” Herrig Vs. Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera-Calanoc

Three rounds of gritty grappling between Felice Herrig and Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc. Neither fighter did much damage, but Herrig controlled the bout in all three rounds. She wins it by unanimous decision.

Jamie Varner Vs. Tyler “Tyrant” Combs

Varner wastes little time getting back on a win streak. He defeats Combs with a North-South choke at just 1:30 of round 1.

Jeff “Big Frog” Curran Vs. Billy Vaughan

Curran the busier fighter, and lands more meaningful shots in all 3 rounds. He catches Vaughan in a guillotine near the end of round 1, but Vaughan wriggles loose. Curran wins via unanimous decision, 30-27 across the board.

Some news and updates for Friday’s XFO 39 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Jeff Curran told us that even though Joe Pearson had to drop out, he is still fighting on the card. He also said that while Jamie Varner is rumored to be fighting Shinya Aoki later this month in Japan, Varner will still fight Tyler Combs on Saturday night.

Curran will be matched against Billy Vaughan. Vaughan holds a record of 9-8, and fought in Strikeforce this March. Vaughan has dropped three straight bouts after winning three in a row.

This fight should go to the ground sooner rather than later. Curran is a world-renowned BJJ Black Belt, and of Vaughan’s 17 pro fights, 14 of them have ended by submission.

Varner has a tough rest of the month in store, if he indeed is taking the fight against Aoki. He’ll have to travel to Chicago from the West coast, fight a very game and dangerous opponent in Tyler Combs and hope he escapes with full health. Then he’ll have to make the arduous trip to Japan and get ready to fight Aoki, who has won 4 straight after his loss to Gilbert Melendez.

Here is the card:

• Jeff “Big Frog” Curran Vs. Billy Vaughan
• Jamie Varner Vs. Tyler “Tyrant” Combs
• Felice “Lil bulldog” Herrig Vs. Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera-Calanoc
• Mike Stumpf Vs. Dan Bolden
• Daniel Aguirre Vs. Terrance Kinney
• Jon Murphy Vs. Lucas Gwaltney
• Dan Stittgen Vs. Jason “Reaper” Graves
• Michele Gutierrez Vs. Amanda LaVoy
• Vince Ramos Vs. Ivan Wolshlager
• Kent Rexford Jr. Vs. Brandon Saling
• Will Brooks Vs. Bobby Reardanz
• Nick Scotti Vs. Hector Garcia

Jeff Curran vs Joe Pearson
Jamie Varner vs Tyler Combs
Felice Herrig vs Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc
Jon Murphy vs Ryan Bixler
Michele Gutierrez vs Amanda LaVoy
Will Brooks vs Christopher Garcia
Mike Stumpf vs Dan Bolden
Jacob McClintock vs Dan Gilbert
Dan Stittgen vs Jason Graves
Nicholas Scotti vs Frank Pizzirulli
Vincent Ramos vs TBD
Christian Reynoso vs Daniel Aguirre
Kent Rexford Jr. vs Brandon Saling

For ticket information and a look back at the last time the XFO was at the Sears Centre, check out this article.

And here’s the recent interview that LJ Tabano did with Jeff Curran, where Curran discusses his comeback from arm surgery.