XMMA entered the combat sports world in 2020.
With two events in the bag, the promotion is eying its third, which now has a date, location, and handful of fights official. For its third installment, the promotion is sticking with a theme that was apparent throughout the first two – loading the card with notable names of UFC and Bellator yesteryears.
XMMA 3: Vice City is set to take place Oct. 23 at Watsco Center in Miami. While streaming information hasn’t been announced, the first two events were streamed live and free on YouTube.
The headlining fight, between John Dodson and Cody Gibson, which was first reported by MMA Junkie, sits atop the bill. The other matchups were first reported by MMA Island.
Scroll below to see the XMMA 3 lineup including a handful of UFC and Bellator veterans.
John Dodson (ex-UFC) vs. Cody Gibson (ex-UFC)
John Dodson
Former UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson (21-12) will compete for the first time since his promotional departure when he takes on Cody Gibson (17-7). The fight was originally scheduled for XMMA 2, however Dodson withdrew from the fight due to injuries sustained in a car crash.
Kyle Bochniak (ex-UFC) vs. Derek Campos (ex-Bellator)
Kyle Bochniak
Kyle Bochniak (10-5) has competed at both of the XMMA events to date. At XMMA 1 he defeated Caio Uruguai via unanimous decision. At XMMA 2, he defeated fellow UFC alumnus Marcus Brimage via unanimous decision. At XMMA 3 he’ll take on longtime Bellator staple Derek Campos (20-11), who recently departed the promotion.
Valdir Araujo (TUF alum) vs. Nate Marquardt (ex-UFC)
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Nate Marquardt (36-19-2) will look to keep his post-retirement success alive when he competes in his second fight of 2021. At Titan FC 71 in August, Marquardt competed for the first time in nearly four years when he submitted Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Michael Cora. At XMMA 3, he’ll take on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Season 21 alumnus “BBMonster” Valdir Araujo (18-9).
John Howard (ex-UFC, PFL) vs. Tyler Ray
John Howard
“Doomsday” is also on XMMA 3. Boston’s John Howard (29-16-1) will seek his second-straight win since he departed the PFL after its 2019 season. Standing opposite him will be prospect Tyler Ray (8-2), who is coming off back-to-back wins against Austin Jones and Ernesto Ancona.
Jose Caceres vs. Demarques Jackson (ex-Bellator)
Another fighter recently departed from Bellator, Demarques Jackson (11-6) will look to turn his luck around when he fights Jose Caceres (15-11), the only man to defeat UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman as a professional.