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Two legendary promotions have officially teamed up for the first time as IFC
and Extreme Challenge came to the Oneida Casino in Green Bay, WI January
8th. Extreme Challenge has worked with IFC in an unofficial capacity in the
past but not with the full weight of Monte Cox’s reputation behind the
show. Cox and the IFC are expected to continue to work together in the
Mid-West but have not merged and will continue to promote shows separately
in their previous stomping grounds. The show itself had a heavyweight title
fight, welterweight tournament, and a mix of professional and novice bouts
with a card that faced some changes but remained strong.
This show was filmed for future distribution on various platforms both cable
and internet, news of which is expected to be posted at www.IFCCagedCombat.tv.
Originally IFC world heavyweight champion and UFC vet Travis Wiuff was
supposed to face fellow YAMMA Pit Fighting vet Tony Sylvester for his first
title defense this night. Regardless of the change in opponent this was an
especially dramatic fight considering the belt belonged to Wiuff’s real-life
friend Justin Eilers when Eilers was shot to death on Christmas Day, 2008.
Wiuff won the vacant title last August and had every intention of keeping
the belt "in the family". Sylvester's replacement Justin Newcomb was
originally supposed to fight Josh Barnes but stepped up to the main event on
relatively short notice. Newcomb started off throwing high kicks at Wiuff
but the fight was for the most part decided when Wiuff caught one and turned
into a single leg takedown and top position. For his experience level
Newcomb did a good job trying to defend and get out from under the champion
but Wiuff was dominant, quickly finishing the fight with a TKO that left
Newcomb stunned.
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