XFC26_Santos_VS_Alonso-196x300

He’s back!  Just when you thought it was safe to compete in the XFC Welterweight Division, Luis “Sapo” Santos is selected as your opponent, and he is looking to extend his impressive streak of wins.  This time, however, his challenge doesn’t come from stateside, it comes straight from his own back yard.  October 18th, LIVE on AXS TV, from Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, Brazil’s Mauricio Alonso and Luis Santos will go head to head at XFC 26: Night of Champions III.

Mauricio Alonso (9-4) may be making his XFC debut as a virtual unknown in the United States, but the 33 year-old from Curitiba Parana, Brazil plans to leave Nashville’s Night of Champions on the lips of every industry insider.  The blueprint he has drawn up for doing that; taking out the XFC’s top Welterweight, Luis Santos.  While the Brazilian people have been working to import the XFC’s brand of MMA, they have also been campaigning that Mauricio Alonso should be their next export to land on AXS TV, with the stations longest running promotion.  When XFC President John Prisco approached Alonso’s camp, it was what he didn’t hear that sold him on this match up; hesitation or excuses.  Three of the Ryan Gracie Black Belt’s wins have come by way of knockout, with one coming by submission.  Alonso has gone the distance in four of his nine fights and this is the statistic that may be his key to victory, as all of Sapo’s losses have come after the first round.

Luis “Sapo” Santos (57-8) continues to dominate the XFC Welterweight Division. The question after every Santos fight remains the same; who will John Prisco bring in to compete with this wrecking machine?  The man, simply known as “Sapo”, has spent a total of 94 seconds in the cage in 2013.  His XFC opponents to date have a combined record of 28-15 and his career finish rate is at 75%.  These statistics certainly do not make Mr. Prisco’s job any easier.  Only a few times in this sport has a fighter appeared to hit his peak this late in his career, but that is exactly what seems to have happened with the 34 year-old Brazilian.  Going into his 66th professional fight, Sapo is clicking on all cylinders and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

John Prisco went on record as saying: “This is a very exciting time for us right now.  We have so much going on behind the scenes with our South American expansion, we couldn’t have asked for a better time to see a fellow Brazilian challenge Luis Santos.  This is going to be a real treat for the Latin American fans of the XFC.  It’s no secret; Sapo is becoming difficult to match up.  The guy is destroying people in the cage and that doesn’t make the line of guys wanting to get locked in a cage with him very long.  What really gets me excited for this one is that Alonso is Brazilian; he’s down there in the Brazilian MMA scene and knows Sapo’s reputation, but still didn’t hesitate to accept this fight.  He is very confident and I think that could be the key to competing with Sapo.  I think Sapo’s last few opponents have let him get in their heads and fought too stiff; too hesitant.  If Alonso can come in relaxed and confident, then we could possibly see Luis Santos taken late into the fight and that’s where others have found success.”

Xtreme Fighting Championships returns to Music City USA for XFC 26: Night of Champions III on October 18, 2013. The event is presented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and Liquid Ninja Energy Drink. The event will be broadcast Live on AXS TV from the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, beginning at 9pm CT/10 pm ET. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit www.XFCMMA.com or www.beafantickets.com. For daily updates and news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @OfficialXFC.

One thought on “Surging Luis ‘Sapo” Santos to meet Mauricio Alonso at XFC 26”
  1. […] Surging Luis 'Sapo” Santos to meet Mauricio Alonso at XFC 26 He's back! Just when you thought it was safe to compete in the XFC Welterweight Division, Luis “Sapo” Santos is selected as your opponent, and he is looking to extend his impressive streak of wins. This time, however, his challenge doesn't come from … Read more on Pro MMA Now […]

Leave a Reply