(PRESS RELEASE) -- Twelve different nations will be represented at XFCi 8, which takes place in São Paulo on December 13th at the Concordia Club in Campinas. In the main event of the evening, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Fernando Vieira (10-2 MMA 1-0 XFC) faces USA's Tyson Nam in a Bantamweight Superfight (up to 135lbs.). The co-main event hosts another XFC Superfight Series matchup, when Season I Women's Flyweight Champion, Argentinian Silvana Juarez takes on Sweden's Linn Wennergren. Rounding out the Superfight Series of XFCi8 will be Season I Lightweight Tournament Finalist Glaucio Eliziario measuring forces with England's Jay Furness.
Women will play a very special role at XFCi 8 when the second season women’s Flyweight Grand Prix finalists are unveiled in the opening fight of the televised portion of the main card. A clash of two aggressive-minded finishers in Taila Santos (4-0 MMA 1-0 XFC), who sent Rachael Cummins to the canvas and finished the fight in 4:28 of the first round, vs. Poliana Botelho (3-1 MMA 1-0 XFC). A Nova Uniao representative, Botelho outclassed Mexican Karina Rodriguez at XFCi 6 after almost three rounds, wrapping off an impressive performance with a kick to the body at 2:15 of the last round.
Both Botelho and Santos will enter the XFCi 8 HeXagon already aware of who one of them are facing in the finals. Undefeated knockout artist Debora Ferreira is set to face long-lasting Silvaneide Pereira in earlier in the night, before the event goes live on television. Ferreira outlasted Russian Julia Borisova at XFCi 6 in September, claiming a unanimous decision victory, while Pereira had a tougher path to the semifinals, achieving her win by majority decision against Finland representative Vuokko Katainen.
XFC President Myron Molotky expects to raise the level of the fights even more at XFCi 8. “I’m really looking forward to watching these fights”, Molotky says. “We are putting together some of the best Superfights in the industry and mixing them up with the female Flyweight semifinals. The fans can expect to see fighters giving it their all until they have nothing left to leave inside the HeXagon. We want to repay the fans the affection they have showed us over our events.”
Men’s Featherweight and Lightweight tournaments kicks off
Also at XFCi 8, the men’s Lightweight and Featherweight tournament quarterfinals will kicks off. In the 155lbs division, four rising Brazilian fighters face off when undefeated Fernando dos Santos faces Michel Silva & Rubenilton Pereira collides with Wilson dos Santos. Alan dos Santos (BR) meets Russian Ramazan Kurbanismailov and Alex Franco (BR) will fight Egypt's Mohamed Hassan Badawy. The Featherweights quarterfinals kick off with young star Pedro Falcao (BR) vs USA's Michael Stevens and Georgian Paata Robakidze against Missael Silva (BR). Also, Guilherme Faria (BR) will try to best Mexican Carlos Torres while Venezuelan Ranfi Rivas challenges Equadorian Giovanni Arroyo in a Latin duel.
It's all takes place under the lights of Concordia Club in Campinas, SP Brazil on December 13th, 2014. Fights start at 9pm BR and XFCi8 goes live on Rede TV!, streamed worldwide for free at XFCMMA.com at 0h30 BR / 9:30pm EST. Tune in as International MMA is taken to all new heights, inside the XFC HeXagon! For up to the moment info and to follow the fighters in training, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Youtube! For event information & to purchase and win tickets, visit www.XFCMMA.com