by Matt Lo Cascio
The XFO returns Saturday at Sideouts in Island Lake with Outdoor War 17. The XFO’s signature event returned last year after a six-year hiatus, and it was an electric event filled with spectacular finishes, capped off with a dominant performance by Austin Cloe winning the first title of the new XFO era. Cloe returns to the main event this year and he’ll fight Avila Combat Lab fighter Cole Hanson, who made his debut at last year’s event, then won his own title at XFO Night of Champions in November. They’ll fight at 175 lbs. for the XFO Super Middleweight Title.
It’s also Cloe’s last dance as an amateur as he hopes to make his pro debut in October.
“I’m looking to have a dominant finish that is going to project me into my professional career. I really enjoyed the Outdoor War before and I could have gone pro after my last fight, but I really wanted to fight at Outdoor War again with my teammates. Another title is just going to be the icing on the cake,” Cloe said.
Cloe trains with One Touch Fight Team, and two of his coaches, Brett Brendel and Vince DiCicco, fought in the XFO. Brendel fought at Outdoor War 4 and went 4-0 in the XFO. DeCicco went 5-2 and fought for the welterweight title at XFO 49.
Cloe could have easily lined up a tune-up fight for his last amateur fight, but instead he opted to take the challenge of the 22-year old Hanson, who’s 6’2″, tall, long and dangerous in the cage.
“I fight for competition, and to prove to myself my ability. Taking any short path to that would not be doing any of that justice. I’m in this game to prove my belief that I’m the best, and I’m going to prove that,” Cloe said. Battling longer and taller opponents is routine now for Cloe. “They are all tall and lengthy, I’ve gotten used to it, and adapted to fighting taller guys. I don’t think I’ll ever fight anyone shorter than me. I agree that Cole is a dangerous up and comer and he will have his time when he develops as a fighter I’m sure. Just not against me. I am too experienced in the cage compared to him, especially going five rounds. I’m going to make him quit. I wanted a tough final fight as an amateur to prove I’m ready to take the next step in the pro ranks.”
Hanson has faced stiff competition in his young career. He knocked out Primal MKE’s Manny Hernandez in the second round at XFO Night of Champions last year to win the title, handing Hernandez the first defeat of his career after a 5-0 start. He won his debut at last year’s Outdoor War with a second-round choke of Jesus Alonso.
“I’ve fought many high-quality opponents within my first year of being in the cage, including the guy (Finan Gebrebirhan) who has beaten the both of us,” Hanson said. “So I don’t want to say it’s my toughest test yet, but I’m not overlooking him just like I don’t overlook any opponent I fight.”
Hanson knows that Cloe is a dominant wrestler who looks to take down his opponents and then batter them from top position. Cloe successfully landed every takedown attempt at last year’s Outdoor War and his wrestling was suffocating and unstoppable.
“I plan on using my reach and I expect him to try and close the range to try and take me down. I’ve been working a lot on my takedown defense and feel confident in my ability to keep my range and defend the takedown if I need to,” Hanson said. He’ll definitely get to test that improved defense against Cloe.
Hanson has already competed six times in his first year of fighting. Like Cloe, he also has aspirations of taking it to the next level.
“I do plan on turning pro once I feel that I am ready. I’m still only 22 with one year of cage experience but I am feeling more comfortable each time I step in the cage, so it might not be very long until I make my pro debut. I’m really looking forward to going back to the Outdoor War where I made my MMA debut.”
Hanson said he knows this is a huge fight for him and his first main event, but it doesn’t change his mindset. “I don’t feel any extra pressure being the main event. I just want to go in there and be able to put on a show for all the fans in attendance.”
Cloe said his gameplan is the same as always. “I’m going to push the pace, take the center of the cage and dictate where the fight goes. I have submission wins, I have knockouts, and I have ground and pound finishes. I can take the fight anywhere and feel comfortable. The longer the fight goes I think it plays more in my favor.”
Several fighters from One Touch Fight Team and Avila Combat Laboratories competed at last year’s Outdoor War. Avila Combat Laboratories went 4-0 on with three finishes. One Touch Fight Team took home a belt with Austin Cloe’s big win, and Marco Delgadillo, also on the card Saturday, put on a show by finishing Anthony Stengel in the second round.
XFO Outdoor War Title Fights
There are three other title fights on the card before the Cloe vs. Hanson main event.
- MMA Stop’s Taylor Morrison will take on RMMA’s Hector Salazar for the 125 lb. Flyweight title. Salazar’s coach Joey Diehl is an XFO legend and former champion.
- Roufusport’s Arturo Orozco will battle One Touch Fight Team’s Marco Delgadillo for the 155 lb. Lightweight title.
- Wrecking Ball’s Cesar Ortega takes on Delarosa Submission Wrestling’s Marshal Cunz for the 145 lb. Featherweight title.
Tickets for XFO Outdoor War 17 are availble at FighterTix.com. You can also watch the event via pay-per-view on Millions.co, with Matt Lo Cascio and Mike Finch on commentary.
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