14 former UFC fighters booked for XMMA 4 card in New Orleans

Nolan King

March 10, 2022 at 7:20 PM·6 min read

Over a dozen former UFC fighters have been added to XMMA’s first event of 2022.

XMMA 4 is set to take place Saturday, April 2 at The Fillmore in New Orleans. Viewing info has not yet been announced.

The promotion launched in January 2021 with XMMA 1 in West Palm Beach, Fla., and was headlined by Andre Fialho vs. James Vick. XMMA 2 took place in July 2021 with a Ben Saunders vs. Ramsey Nijem main event. XMMA 3 followed shortly thereafter in October, headlined by Cody Gibson vs. John Dodson.

Keep with the notable names as top-billing, XMMA features 14 fighters who made at least one appearance in the UFC. Scroll below to see which UFC alums are currently scheduled to compete.

John Dodson (21-13)

John Dodson

UFC record: 10-7

XMMA 4 matchup: Bantamweight main event vs. Francisco Rivera (14-8 )

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]John Dodson[/autotag] has competed once, a unanimous decision loss suffered against Cody Gibson at XMMA 3 in October. The bout came months after Dodson was involved in a car crash that knocked him out of a scheduled fight at XMMA 2.

Francisco Rivera (14-8)

UFC record: 4-5 with one no contest

XMMA 4 matchup: Bantamweight main event vs. John Dodson (21-13)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Francisco Rivera[/autotag] spent four years on the shelf due to a USADA violation due to a positive test and subsequent “deceitful or obstructive conduct.” He returned at XMMA 1 in January 2021 where he knocked out Ryan Lilley in Round 1. Rivera competed three more times in the calendar year, going 2-1 for Combate Global.

Kyle Stewart (14-5)

Kyle Stewart

UFC record: 0-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Zak Ottow (20-7)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Kyle Stewart[/autotag] has put forth mixed results. He’s gone 3-2 with wins against Mike Jones, Tim Caron, and John Poppie (who he knocked out bigly), as well as losses against Chris Curtis and Nah-shon Burrell. Stewart was pegged for “The Ultimate Fighter,” Season 29 but a since-cleared eye issue forced him out of consideration for the cast.

Zak Ottow (20-7)

Mar 9, 2019; Wichita, KS, USA; Alex Morono (red gloves) and Zak Ottow (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at InTrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Ross-USA TODAY Sports Images

UFC record: 4-4

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Kyle Stewart (14-5)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Zak Ottow[/autotag] has been on a roll. He’s 3-0 with two submission victories. At 35, XMMA 4 could have some major meaning for Ottow if he wants to make it back to the UFC.

Bobby Nash (12-4)

Jul 16, 2017; Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom; Danny Roberts (red gloves) fights Bobby Nash (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at SSE Hydro. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

UFC record: 0-3

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Felipe Baventura (9-4-1)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Bobby Nash[/autotag] has yet to lose. He’s thrilled in all four of his appearances, with a 100 percent first-round finishing rate. Now free of an XFC contract, could Nash be one win away from a UFC return?

John Howard (29-18-1)

John Howard

UFC record: 7-7

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Ange Loosa (7-2)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]John Howard[/autotag] has competed for numerous notable promotions including PFL, CES MMA, XMMA, and Eagle FC. He’s currently on a two-fight skid and will look to bounce back after defeats against Tyler Ray and Ramzan Kuramagomedov.

Tateki Matsuda (15-10)

UFC record: 0-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Bantamweight vs. Louie Sanoudakis (8-3)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Tateki Matsuda[/autotag] has competed intermittently. He’s won more than he’s lost, with a 5-3 record post-UFC. XMMA 4 will be his first competition since a January 2020 loss.

Kyle Bochniak (10-5)

Kyle Bochniak

UFC record: 2-5

XMMA 4 matchup: Featherweight vs. Carlton Minus (11-3)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Kyle Bochniak[/autotag] is two-for-two, both by unanimous decision. At XMMA 1, Bochniak defeated Caio Uruguai. Six months later at XMMA 2, he defeated fellow UFC alum Marcus Brimage.

Carlton Minus (11-3)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 19: (L-R) Carlton Minus faces Christos Giagos in their catchweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)

UFC record: 0-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Featherweight vs. Kyle Bochniak (10-5)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Carlton Minus[/autotag] is one-for-one. Returning to his native scene of the Alaska regional MMA circuit, Minus defeated Skyler Schlosser via TKO in January.

Matt Sayles (8-4)

UFC record: 1-3

XMMA 4 matchup: Featherweight vs. Tyrek Malveaux (6-3)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Matt Sayles[/autotag] has not competed.

Sasha Palatnikov (6-4)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 10: (L-R) Sasha Palatnikov of Hong Kong battles Impa Kasanganay in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

UFC record: 1-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Kyron Bowen (9-7)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Sasha Palatnikov[/autotag] has not competed.

Cole Smith (7-2)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 05: (R-L) Cole Smith kicks Hunter Azure in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 05, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

UFC record: 1-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Bantamweight vs. John Sweeney (9-3)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Cole Smith[/autotag] has not competed.

Curtis Millender (18-8)

Apr 13, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Curtis Millender (red gloves) fights Belal Muhammad (blue gloves) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

UFC record: 3-2

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Jared Gooden (19-7)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Curtis Millender[/autotag] has competed in Bellator and PFL. He’s struggled to get the results he’s looked for, however, going 1-3 since his UFC stint. His losses have come against stiff competition in Sabah Homasi, Rory MacDonald, and Magomed Magomedkerimov.

Jared Gooden (19-7)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: (R-L) Jared Gooden punches Abubakar Nurmagomedov of Russia in their welterweight fight during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

UFC record: 1-3

XMMA 4 matchup: Welterweight vs. Curtis Millender (18-8)

Since his UFC departure… [autotag]Jared Gooden[/autotag] has competed once. At iKON FC 1, Gooden defeated Aaron Highbaugh via unanimous decision.

The full XMMA 4 lineup includes:

John Dodson vs. Francisco Rivera
Jared Gooden vs. Curtis Millender
John Howard vs. Ange Loosa
Felipe Boaventura vs. Bobby Nash
Kyle Bochniak vs. Carlton Minus
Zak Ottow vs. Kyle Stewart
Tyrek Malveaux vs. Matt Sayles
Cole Smith vs. John Sweeney
Kyron Bowen vs. Sasha Palatnikov
Adli Edwards vs. Josh Harvey
Tateki Matsuda vs. Louie Sanoudakis
Andrew Garrette vs. Justin Mead

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