(Tampa, FL) Hard hitting K-1 veteran Imani Lee will look to put on a show in Tampa when he faces Brandon Sayles at XFC ‘Tribute’ at the St. Pete Times Forum. On December 2nd, Lee believes that he will defeat the Army veteran and show the world just how lethal his striking is.
“I’ve fought some of the best guys in the business,” said Lee. “I’m not taking anything from him but I see him as just as another opponent and I see it ending great for me. If he wants to throw a punch he has to be willing to get hit and I know I hit harder.”
Lee is best known for his heavy hands. After an impressive 8-3 record in boxing, Lee turned his attention to kickboxing in 2005 and made a splash in K-1 by defeating Jan Nortje in his debut. After competing in several K-1 World Grand Prixs, Lee turned his attention to MMA where he battled all comers such as former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez and Ikuhisa Minowa.
Sayles though, won’t be a pushover. Despite only two professional fights, the native Hawaiian captured Army Combatives titles in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Staff Sgt. Sayles could have won it again in 2007 but couldn’t compete because he was deployed to Iraq. Now with his attention squarely focused on MMA, Sayles will look to win his third straight at ‘Tribute’
According to XFC President John Prisco, “This is actually a historic fight for the XFC. This will be the first super heavyweight fight we have done and I think it’s a solid matchup. Lee is best known for his K-1 and boxing days. He’s a great striker but Sayles is an accomplished grappler. It’s going to be the classic striker vs. grappler except this time they are going to be around 300 pounds. We won’t need judges, just a seismograph. There is no way this fight goes the distance. Either Imani knocks Brandon out or Brandon takes him down and works his ground and pound. If you have to go to the bathroom or need some popcorn wait until this fight is over. You aren’t going to want to miss it.”
XFC 15 ‘Tribute’ will be headlined by Eric Reynolds vs. Jonatas Novaes and will feature Nick Newell fighting on behalf of his late friend Abi Mestre against Denis Hernandez. Former Ultimate Fighter stars Charlie Rader and Corey Hill will also square off on the card.