Look, I shouldn’t have to sit here and extol the commendable steps that Arlington-based MMA promoters Xtreme Knockout (XKO) have taken in growing the sport of MMA here in North Texas. While many local promotions have come and left, XKO somehow continues to thrive. Granted, the fact that they have their own venue helps immensely but XKOs success goes beyond lower operational overhead. In all actuality, and I’ve stated this ad nauseam, the reason for XKOs local success lies in the atmosphere they cultivate at their shows. Whereas your typical club show is a striped down affair of loud music and fights, XKO creates an event. A typical XKO show is part MMA fights, part block party, and part MMA fan expo. Throw in the cold beer and ridiculously awesome bikini contest, and well, you can begin to see why fights fans from all over the Metroplex flock to XKO shows.
Of course, this is not to even begin to speak of the fights. Some of the region’s most talented young fighters clamor to be on an XKO show. Not only do they know they will be matched competitively, but they are keenly aware of the benefits of fighting in front of a loud hometown crowd. Best of all, as XKO continues to grow so too do the level of fighters plying their craft in the squared cage.
While being the only real professional MMA promotion in town could prompt some companies to simply rest on their laurels, XKO has begun laying the foundation of taking their promotion to the next level.
How so you may ask? Well, how about TV?
This Saturday night TXA 21 will air Xtreme Knockout TV at 11 PM CST. TXA 21 is the regional broadcast home of the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Big 12 and SEC college football. Xtreme Knockout TV will be a series similar to UFCs popular series UFC Unleashed in which fights from the promotions vault will be re-aired for fans to enjoy. XKO will put their fairly extensive vault of fights on the series with new fights being added from each future promotion. Local jiu-jitsu legend Allen Mohler and North Texas Fisticuffs’ very own Roland Gamez will serve as the series’ hosts.
FIGHT WATCHING PARTY THIS SATURDAY
XKO and Boston’s Gourmet Pizza in Arlington (2501 E. Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX) will be holding an Xtreme Knockout TV debut watching party Saturday night. Fans are encouraged to come out and watch this watershed moment in local MMA.
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