CFA 11 Airs on AXS TV, Includes Valentijn Overeem vs. Mike Kyle & Fallon Fox vs. Allana Jones

Jorge de la Noval, owner of Championship Fighting Alliance (CFA) on Wednesday officially announced that his Miami-based MMA organization has closed a deal with AXS TV and that his May 24 event “CFA 11” will be presented live on AXS TV as part of its Friday Night Fights series. He also announced that heavyweights Valentijn Overeem vs. Mike Kyle will headline the card at Miami’s BankUnited Center and that the co-main event will feature Fallon Fox vs. Allanna Jones as the co-main event in the women’s 145-pound championship semifinals.

“We are honored to be in business with AXS TV and look forward to working with them to present ‘CFA 11’ live to MMA fans across America on national television,” said de la Noval. “The main event is a blockbuster heavyweight matchup between Dutch fighting legend Valentijn Overeem and veteran of the UFC and Strikeforce Mike Kyle.

“CFA 11” tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com starting at $25.00 for general admission. Reserved seating is $35.00 (additional taxes and fees apply).”

Valentijn Overeem (30-27) is considered one of the most talented heavyweight fighters in the world. Throughout his stellar career, he’s competed in major fighting organizations including PRIDE, K-1, Strikeforce, World Extreme Cagefighting, M-1 Global and is also a former Pancrase Champion. The brother of UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem, Valentijn trains out of JACO Hybrid Training Center with the Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Fla.

“I’m training to knock my opponent out; this fight is not going to be decided by the judges,” said Overeem. “I have among the best strikers in the world, and the best wresters in the world here at JACO Hybrid Training Center. Together, we are going to beat Kyle and bring another win home to the Blackzillians.”

Mike Kyle (19-9) is also a veteran of Strikeforce and is the former King of the Cage champion at light heavyweight. He fought at the highest level of MMA with the Ultimate Fighting Championship from 2004-2005, and during that period defeated James Irvin at UFC 51 with a first-round knockout.

“I feel reborn and ready to fight, and I want to thank all of my fans that have supported me through my career,” said Kyle. “I think Valentijn Overeem is the perfect opponent to showcase my skills and give the fans a great main event. On May 24, I’m going to show everyone what kind of fighter I can be.”

In the co-main event, Fallon Fox will take on Allanna Jones in the CFA 145-pound women’s tournament semi-finals.

“I am pleased to have Fallon Fox back in the CFA cage for this pivotal fight against Allanna Jones,” said de la Noval. “The winner of Fox vs. Jones will advance to the featherweight finals and the chance to become the new CFA 145-pound champion.

This is going to be an exciting fight between two incredible fighters and that is what this sport, and this night is all about.”

“I am extremely excited about my next fight with Allanna Jones,” said Fox. “It will feel really good to step into the cage again on May 24. I look forward to dealing with whatever Allanna will throw my way. It should be an fun, action-packed night for fans of MMA, Championship Fighting Alliance and everyone watching on AXS TV.”

“I’m thrilled to have this fight and this opportunity,” said Jones. “This is just another fight, and just another opponent for me. I am looking for the knockout and to make a statement on AXS TV and to advance to the finals to win that 145-pound CFA title.”

The 5’7” undefeated Fox (2-0) fights out of Midwest Training Center in Chicago. Both of her professional wins have come by first-round knockout. She is also undefeated as an amateur (3-0) with all victories coming via submission. Fox’s last appearance was at CFA 10 when she finished Ericka Newsome in CFA’s first elimination bout for the 145-pound tournament championship.

The 5’4” Jones (2-1) fights out of Ionia, Michigan’s American Muscle MMA training center. The 26-year-old Jones also competed at CFA 10, defeating her opponent in a three-round split decision. She has been competing since 2010 and has an amateur record of 6-2.

Also on the televised card on AXS TV, Friday May 24 is a lightweight match-up between Luis Palmino (20-8) and Robert Washington (15-7). Sean Soriano (7-0) and Elvin Brito (6-1) will fight for the CFA Interim Featherweight title. Alexis Vila (11-3) will take on Czar Sklavos (7-2) in a flyweight division match-up, and in the show opener will be a middleweight match-up between Mike King (5-0) and Oscar Delgado (6-2).

The Florida State Boxing Commission has approved all bouts on CFA 11 and has licensed all athletes on the CFA 11 card, including Fallon Fox, who is the first known transgender fighter to compete in professional mixed martial arts. All bouts are live and subject to change.