(Photo courtesy of Thomas Michael Rozdzynski – ThruMyEye.com)

Former WEC title contender Jeff Curran compiled back-to-back
wins with a unanimous decision over Tomohiko Hori at XFO 34 this past
weekend.  A stable mate of Takeya
Mizugaki, the man who last defeated Curran in the WEC, Hori proved to be a
formidable opponent for the “Big Frog.”

“Hori was definitely tough,” revealed Curran.  “I knew he would be, but he
surprisingly was much more difficult than I thought he would be; I never
expected him to be easy.”

Also fighting on the card was Jeff’s cousin, Patrick
Curran.  The Tapout featured
fighter stepped up in weight class to take on last second replacement Travis
Perzynski.  Unfortunately for him,
the size difference of his opponent took its toll and the younger Curran succumbed
to a rear naked choke in the second round.

“Pat’s fight at 145 fell through, so we had to fill the
spot. The only person we had available at a good record was Travis Perzynski,
who has had successful bouts at 170 pounds and 155 pounds.  So we took the chance,” commented
Jeff.  “Travis is the number one ranked
MMA fighter in Minnesota, and it was a great test for Pat.  Pat won the first round, I guess, but
the size difference was very apparent as the second round progressed.  Pat needs to stay at 145 and dominate
that division.  I don’t consider
this a setback for him because it was out of his weight class.”

With consecutive wins under his belt, Jeff hopes to make a
return to the WEC.

“I am meeting with WEC in person mid-December to discuss my
potential return to the WEC.  I
know they want me back eventually so hopefully now is as good as time as
ever.  I feel very optimistic about
them re-signing me to a new deal. 
But until it’s set in ink, I won’t get my hopes up.”

In the event that a deal cannot be made with the WEC, Curran
is still optimistic about his future and intends to consider all opportunities
that come his way.

“If I don’t fight for WEC, I will definitely be hitting up
the Asian market again.  Japan for
sure, and China would be awesome.  I would love to fight there.

“I want to thank all my fans for their unconditional support
over the years and for sticking by me through all the high and low points of my
career.  Look forward to seeing a lot
more wins on my record in 2010."

XFO 34
Results:

Professional
Bouts:

-Jeff Curran def. Tomohiko Hori, Unanimous Decision

-Travis Perzynski def. Pat Curran, Rear Naked Choke at 4:38,
Round 2

Amateur
Bouts:

-Brad Padgett def. Josh Eckmann, Armbar, at 2:49, Round 1

-Matt Tobie def. Brandon Bolt, Bolt didn’t answer the bell
for Round 2

-TJ Cass def. Calvin Arnold, TKO at 2:50, Round 1

-Jason Marlowe def. Mikey Phillips, TKO at 2:58, Round 1

-Frank Rano def. Johan Lerch, Split Decision

-Jeff Lavalle def. Taylor Eastman, Rear Naked Choke at 0:52,
Round 1

-Joey Diehl def. Brett Hedrington, Submission to Strikes at
0:21, Round 1

-Scott Goldberg def. Brandon Jackson, Armbar at 0:59, Round
1

-Nick Scotti def. Keith Colon, Rear Naked Choke at 1:14,
Round 3

-Shawn West def. Casey Dyer, Darce Choke at 1:48, Round 2

-Tony Duncan def. Chris Schiewe, Unanimous Decision

-Chris Hartwig def. Kent Rexford, Unanimous Decision