This XFC event got off to a pretty rocky start. No live bands as promised for the preshow; it was recorded music. But that wasn't why I went. The matches themselves didn't start for more than an hour after they were supposed to with no explanation from anyone with XFC or the Forum. We all just sort of sat there waiting and wondering.
When something DID start happening it was undoubtedly the best part of the night. Not only did they do a beautiful verbal tribute to the two Tampa Police officers recently killed in then line of duty but they did it in the most moving, awesome way with the riderless horse right there on the Forum floor. It brought tears to a lot of eyes.
Once the fights started the true ups and downs started. Some fights were flat out boring. Some were rocking. Pretty much what you get anytime. The Heavyweight fight WAS THE BEST!! Chris "Beast Boy" Barnett was EXCELLENT!! Would you ever expect a JOLLY MMA fighter?? Not me! I'm glad he's a local boy with XFC Tampa and hope to see him again soon.
I wasn't really looking forward to the women fighting but theirs was probably one of the best fights of the night. Full out action from the bell to Couture's tap out.
The action went along pretty well after it started. There were card changes that they just produced and never mentioned so we were scrambling around our cards a little and there were 8 fights instead of the promised 9. I was worried that a New Blood kind of event with debut fighters might be a waste of money but the folks debuting were some of the most gutsy. It was like they had something to prove. I'd go to one again.
I was literally front and center on the floor, which in this case was a hinderance because the door jam of the cage was right in front of me and obstructed my view. (think 2 post supports together instead of one - oddly it makes a big difference). I think I'd recommend tickets on the lower but elevated level of the Forum for this kind of event. That's where I'll be sitting.