 Shawn Stockwell has quickly become one of the most exciting prospects to watch under the XFA banner. After a successful kickboxing debut last summer, which was unfortunately followed by a tough injury setback, Stockwell bounced back in a big way with an explosive first-round TKO win in his amateur MMA debut at XFA 01. Now, with momentum on his side, he looks to keep the streak alive as he prepares to face Gage Holt at XFA Fight Night 4 on May 24th in Harriman, TN. We caught up with Shawn to talk about his journey, his mindset heading into this fight, and what fans can expect when the cage door closes. XFA - Shawn, you had a dominant MMA debut at XFA 01, scoring a first-round TKO over Chester Hall. How did it feel to finally make your amateur MMA debut after the injury layoff and come back in such a big way? Stockwell - The feeling of being able to debut and showcase my skills in the XFA cage was unlike most I’ve had in other sports. Knowing the risks and challenges that take place in an MMA bout were always in the back of my mind. The layoff was one of the worst and yet best thing that could have happened for my combat sports career. During the months of being out, a lot of my focus was on technique instead of using physical strength. Thanks to focusing on technique, I was able to get the victory.  XFA - Going back to your kickboxing debut last June, you looked impressive but suffered a serious setback with the labrum tear. How difficult was that recovery process, both physically and mentally, and what kept you motivated during those six months away from competition?
Stockwell - The recovery process was one of the toughest mental battles I had faced in past years. Seeing teammates and other competitors compete and move their careers forward while I sat on the sidelines was very difficult. The surgery was a success and the healing process was a success, but the mental part of the wound was still open for some time after. Getting back to training as soon as I possibly could was the only option. Through this I was able to sharpen lost technique and drop 50 pounds, moving myself into the middleweight picture. XFA - You're back on a quick turnaround now, stepping in against Gage Holt on May 24th at XFA Fight Night What can fans expect to see from you in this fight, especially now that you’ve shaken off the cage rust? Stockwell - Fans can expect a similar performance when looking back at the previous fights I’ve had in the cage. The technique is becoming sharper and my cardio is the edge of the sword. This will be a fun one, and hopefully, a longer fight. XFA - Every fighter learns something different with each performance. What did you take away from your fight against Chester Hall that you're bringing into this matchup with Gage Holt? Stockwell - I learned from the previous bout that even when opportunities for submissions rise, don’t rely on my opponent to make the mistake. I jumped on a rear naked way too soon in the fight against Chester, banking on him to turn the opposite direction and he did not. This left me open to a few strikes from him before setting up another submission attempt. The lesson has been learned. XFA - Gage Holt is a tough, scrappy opponent known for his grit. How do you see this fight playing out stylistically, and where do you think your biggest advantages lie? Stockwell - Stylistically I believe it is a good match-up on the feet, but, the ground is my game. The ground is where I’m a specialist and have I paid my dues in wrestling and BJJ for years. I will be submission heavy in this bout, you can bank on it! XFA - Lastly, you’ve had a fast start in both kickboxing and MMA under the XFA banner. What are your long-term goals in the sport, and how important is this next win for setting the tone for the rest of 2025? Stockwell - I’m here to do one thing, and one thing only, become an XFA champion. After that goal is accomplished me and my camp will look at what options we have. I’m not rushing anything, only learning. I will see how these next few bouts go, and then we are looking for gold! Fans can catch Shawn Stockwell back in action at XFA Fight Night 4 on May 24th at Roane State in Harriman, TN, where he looks to continue his impressive climb against Gage Holt. Tickets will be available at the door or online at www.officialxfa.com. For those who can’t make it in person, the entire event will be streamed live on pay-per-view through MILLIONS at www.millions.co. Don’t miss it! About Xtreme Fighting Alliance (XFA): Founded in 2024, XFA is a Tennessee-based mixed martial arts promotion dedicated to elevating the sport through dynamic, high-quality events that combine professional and amateur MMA action. Sanctioned by GAMMA, XFA continues to provide a platform for fighters to showcase their skills in front of passionate combat sports fans across the Southeast.
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