bombastic barber xavier rodela makes amateur mma debut with second-round knockout

Xavier Rodela, a Mount Washington resident, races to hop on top of the cage to celebrate his second-round knockout win during a 140-pound novice amateur MMA fight Saturday night at Sunny Days Arena. Photo courtesy of Andrew Palla/247 Fighting championships (click photo for link to more photos)

"This wasn't a three-month long camp like it was for him. It was a 14-year camp."
- Xavier Rodela after winning his amateur MMA debut by KO

NORTH VERSAILLES TWP -- Sticking on a college campus wasn’t going to work for Xavier Rodela. The Texas native moved to live with his family in Mount Washington in June of 2024 with the idea he would go to West Liberty (W.Va.) University to wrestle, pursue a degree and add some traditional structure to burgeoning ambitions of being a barber.

Rodela, 20, went 8-9 during his freshman season and chose to leave college to pursue his mixed martial career. 

“I didn’t want to go into debt,” Rodela said. “I wasn’t with school. I wanted to set my own schedule. I didn’t like school, but I knew I wanted to be a barber. I was just putting it off to wrestle.”

Rodela’s amateur MMA career got off to an electric start during the 247 Fighting Championships MMA Saturday night at the Venue 4 at Sunny Days Arena.

He knocked out 30-year-old Jacob Kennedy 26 seconds into the second round of a 140-pound novice amateur catchweight bout.

“I’ve been doing jiujitsu for about 14 years," Rodela said. “I’ve been doing kickboxing, all of that kind of stuff. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it, I was ready for this since I started. This wasn’t a three-month long camp like it was for him. It was a 14-year camp.”

A Familiar Feeling

Rodela had his dad, Randy Villarreal, in his corner for his fight. Villarreal, 39, fought 24 times professionally. He compiled an 11-13 career record and last fought in Fury FC 60 on April 24, 2022.

Villarreal didn’t come into fighting as a decorated wrestler like his son. Rodela was a two-time state champion wrestling in Texas. Villarreal’s background was in jiu jitsu.

“I think the hardest part for me, being a fighter myself, is reliving everything,” Villarreal said. “Everything he’s going through, I went through. In a sense, it kind of brings me relief.”

Rodela showed off his wrestling chops by earning a clean takedown toward the end of the first round. In the second round, Rodela ended a combo with a looping right that sat Kennedy down in the center of the cage.

“The combo that he hit, we worked at the whole camp and that was part of the game plan,” Villarreal said. “Showing the knee, faking the knee and following through with the check hook. He’s going to be dangerous.”

Rodela, who trains with Stout Pittsburgh, said having his dad in the corner is a bonus. His coach, Mike Wilkins, was also there to coach him.

​“That’s my support right there,” Rodela said. “Him, my mom and then coach Mike were in my corner today. That’s just something extra, I’m not going to lose in front of my dad.”

Back to work

Rodela promised during his in-cage interview after his fight to take over the Pittsburgh MMA scene. Villarreal said he feels like his son is a natural 125-pounder and his power will carry to a lighter weight class. Rodela didn’t have to cut any weight for the fight.

Until Rodela’s next fight, he is glad to have work to keep him busy while he trains. Rodela is the founder of Ascension Cutz.

“I love doing fades, taper fades and all that stuff,” Rodela said. “I’m good with that if you want to come and see me.”

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or X @J_oshRizzo.​