DALLAS, TX, June 7, 2012 – Mixed Martial Arts returns to Downtown Dallas this weekend when Element Fighting Championship (EFC) brings EFC 2 to the Palladium Ballroom at Gilley’s Dallas.
This event follows the promotion’s successful debut this past January that saw Marcus “The Wrecking Ball” Hicks return to action after a long layoff with a submission win over Josh Lee along with ten other exciting fights for the fans on hand.
Element is looking to repeat the success of their first event with their nine card slate slated for this Saturday night.
Headlining the card this time around will be two Texas fight veterans facing off in Brandon Farran (6-44) and Cleburn Walker (9-8).
Fighting professionally since 2007, the 26 year old Brandon will be going into this fight looking for his third win in a row after beating at pair of Jones (Edwynn and Jarret) in his last two fights. Meanwhile, his opponent will be looking at this bout as a means to right the ship after losing his last six fights in a row after starting his career with a promising 9-2 record.
Next up in the co-main event is a border battle between two Bellator veterans in Louisiana-based Kalvin Hackney (11-3) and Rusk, TX native Booker Arthur (2-2).
Both fighters should be desperately seeking a victory in this one after having lost their last two fights in a row. Despite those setbacks, both fighters will be looking to prove they still have what it takes to be top level fighters. Kalvin started his career 10-1 while the 21 year old Booker went 9-2 on the amateur circuit prior to turning pro and taking on tough fight s like Shannon Stack in his last fight so it’s highly likely we haven’t been the best of these guys just yet.
As for the rest of the card, it features a few other names we’d label as fighters worthy of keeping an eye on moving forward.
Here are some of them now.
Prospects to Watch
Evan Cutts (4-0) – A 21 year old fighting out of Fitness Fight Factory, Evan has been recognized as one of the top young prospects in the state in recent times. Also known as “The Butcher,” Evan gained notoriety for spoiling the coming out party of Reagan Penn at ProElite in November 2011. He followed that up with a his recent win over Lee King on HDNet’s Legacy FC 11. He’ll be taking on Aaron Culpepper (2-1) at EFC 2 in hopes of gaining his fifth win as a pro.
Ciprian Hangan (2-1) – Known as “The Translyvanian Vampire,” this Romanian transplant was highly-touted after ending his first 3 fights (2 pro, 1 ammy) in the first round with lightning-quick KO/TKO’s – all while maintaining his judo background as his strength. Unfortunately, he was on the receiving end in his last fight against Jose Sanchez, a finish some call a quick stoppage but a TKO loss nonetheless. He’ll now look to rebound from that experience with a win over 1-0 Brandon Caldwell.
Tristan Grimsley (1-1) – 27 year old Tristan (Ross) Grimsley currently sports a 1-1 pro record with his most recent fight last month ending by submission in 44 seconds. As an amateur, he went 5-1 with his only loss being a decision to (now 4-0 pro) Matt Hobar. Look for him to validate his status as a prospect to watch when he takes on the debuting Aaron Robinson this Saturday.
Here’s the full card and additional info below.
EFC 2 “Full Throttle” Weigh-ins will be Friday June 8, at 3:00
McFadden’s Addison
Current Fight Card
170 lbs.: Brandon Farran vs. Cleburn Walker
155 lbs.: Kalvin Hackney vs. Booker Arthur
170 lbs.: Evan Cutts vs. Aaron Culpepper
185 lbs.: Brandon Caldwell vs. Ciprian Hangan
155 lbs.: Javier Obregon vs. Ali Ileiwi
265 lbs.: James Hall vs. Andrew Garza
170 lbs.: Antuan Williams vs. Chase Green
125 lbs.: Ivan Cole vs. Isaac Negrete
145 lbs.: Aaron Robinson vs. Tristan Grimsley
Fights will be June 9, 2012
Door Open 6:30 Fights Start 7:30 PM
The Palladium “Gilleys Dallas’
1135 South Lamar Street
Dallas, Texas
