Chad Livingston Takes a Leap Forward When He Faces UFC Vet John Cofer at XFC 24

For American Top Team featherweight Chad Livingston, having built up an amateur career that closely mirrored what he would come to expect in the pros has given him an edge not many young fighters have.

“My amateur career I was 6-1 and got a lot of the publicity with the cage fights that were here locally and fought a lot of tough guys and it grew me up a little bit for the pros,” said Livingston, looking back on his time in the Rise of a Warrior promotion.

“I had my pro debut in Alabama and that went well for me and then went to Panama and captured my second victory and now here I am looking to pick up my third win in my debut for the XFC.”

Because he dealt with a promotion that had a very pro feel to it, when Livingston made his transition, he only noticed minimal differences.

“There is maybe a little bit in intensity and the (conditioning) of the fighters, and they tend to be more prepared with all aspects, so everything’s a little more to the T,” he said. “As far as getting in there and fighting, it all seems the same to me. Once the cage door closes, it’s a fight.”

As Livingston mentioned prior, he will be making his promotional debut at XFC 24 on Friday night, live on AXS TV, from Tampa, Fla., when he takes on former UFC fighter John Cofer.

“I just have to be tough,” said Livingston. “Cofer has been in the UFC and done that, basically he’s seen most of everything. So mentally he’ll be ready, but I’ll be ready too.

“I might not have as many pro fights as he does, but I feel I match up pretty well with him. I don’t see him being dominant in any one position. He’s well-rounded and I tend to be the same.”

Being in the evening’s swing bout, it’s possible Livingston could appear on the live broadcast. And if he does, he feels this could be the breakout moment for his career going forward.

“I’m hoping that after everybody sees me and the XFC is pleased, we can go ahead and go forward and sign another contract for more fights,” he told MMAWeekly.com.

“I’m not worried about this fight at all. I want to compete with the best and this guy has made a name for himself, so why not debut against someone that everyone already knows?”