Jeff Curran Satisfied with XFO Win, Looking for UFC Return

Jeff Curran

With his win over Billy Vaughan at XFO 39 recently, Jeff “Big Frog” Curran continues his comeback towards big time MMA.

“I feel I performed good and fought a good, clean fight,” Curran told MMAWeekly.com. “He was a last-minute replacement and I didn’t know anything about him. Now as I watch the fight, I see things I wish I would have done a little different, but I fought well.

“For starters he only landed maybe two punches and I had a few near finishes and all my kicks were effective. Plus I just had all the cage control. There was no question in my mind or judges that I won the fight.”

Curran is currently on a run that has him winning four of his last five fights, which he attributes to a return to older ways and fan support as big parts of his resurgence.

“I have changed back to my older, healthier lifestyle,” he said. “Clean food, hard work, and a clear vision of where I want to be. These are the key elements.

“I love my fans. This type of existence is a hard one if you have no support. Fans offer a level of support that makes me feel a big need to fight good and give back to them for supporting me.”

Jeff Curran and David Love

Recent reports had Curran considering retirement if he did not get a shot at the UFC. When asked whether or not this is his outlook, he responded, “This is a true statement.

“I think the final element to me being at my best is to know I am fighting at the highest level again. I can’t even find 135-pound fights that are legit outside UFC. I want to focus on my fighters and building my school rather than float around looking for the next mid-tier fight for a little pay, (that’s) just not what motivates me.”

Curran recently moved back into his old family house to help get his personal life in order, as well as spend time with his two- and four-year-old sons, and continue to grow his business ventures, including XFO and Team Curran.

“I have big plans for XFO and continuing to build its brand,” he stated. “XFO has three more pro shows scheduled for this year, (and) we are headed back to the Sears Centre on Dec. 10 for another big show.

“Team Curran has a big year as well (with) Bart (Palazsewski) in UFC, Pat (Curran, Jeff’s cousin) in Bellator, Jens (Pulver) back on TV with Titan, one of my other fighters I hope signing with Strikeforce, and a few more guys turning pro. (It’s an) exciting time around our gym.”

Following a bad string of luck and ensuing losing streak, Curran is back on track and has his sights set on returning to the top of the MMA world.

“Thanks to everyone for giving us all a platform to display our work on,” he said in closing. “Without you MMA doesn’t exist!

“Maybe I can get Comeback Fighter of the Year and Coach of the Year at the MMA awards this year.”