Press Release – Challenge made, challenge accepted. The stage has been set. The XFC’s past meets the present, to determine their future. On June 14th, Live from the USF Sundome in Tampa Florida, Scott “Hotsauce” Holtzman will take on John “The Mulatto Mauler” Mahlow for XFC Lightweight gold.
Since hanging up his hockey skates in 2008, University of Tennessee and Knoxville Ice Bears Forward Scott Holtzman (4-0) has only had one thing on his mind, a mixed martial arts title. After an undefeated amateur career, that never saw a 3rd round, and four impressive professional wins, Holtzman finds himself one step closer to reaching his goal, when he faces off against John Mahlow at XFC 24: Collision Course. The often quiet Holtzman recently found himself at the center of media attention, after former XFC Lightweight Champion Nick Newell refused to defend his belt based on the merit that Scott was “an up and comer.” Media headlines soared as Newell was abruptly stripped of his title, leaving “Hotsauce” without an opponent for his June 14th title fight. While fielding hundreds of questions, the XFC’s #1 contender made one thing clear, his goal was never to beat Nick Newell, his goal was to become a champion, and Nick Newell just happen to be the man holding his belt. “The man across from me in the cage has changed, but the plan is still the same…get my belt.” Will Scott Holtzman continue his unbeaten rise to the top or will John Mahlow close the curtain on the “Hotsauce” show?
When XFC President John Prisco announced that the Main Event at XFC 24 would still be for the promotion’s Lightweight Title, the first man to reach out to him and challenge Scott Holtzman was John Mahlow (13-13). Mahlow was the company’s first ever Lightweight Champion and now wants his shot once again at the belt that Holtzman and Newell were fighting over. “The Mulatto Mauler” has been fighting professionally for more than 10 years. He has stood in the cage with the likes of Antonio McKee, Mac Danzig, Mark Bocek, Jeff Curran, Luis Palomino, and Junior Assuncao. His wins read like chapters in the BJJ handbook: Rear Naked Choke, Triangle Choke, Ankle Lock, Arm Bar, Guillotine. On June 14th, Mahlow will look to add one more victim to his list and wants to show Scott Holtzman he is ready to be champion again.
When asked about the changes to the XFC 24 Main Event, John Prisco had this to say: “It just felt right. I went through all the emails and phone calls that were coming in asking for the shot at Holtzman and this title, and I kept going back to one guy, actually the first guy that reached out to me, John Mahlow. It just seemed fitting. If Scott Holtzman wants to be the future of this division, then why not fight the man who first held the belt? This is a tough fight for Scott. Mahlow has 26 professional bouts to his name. He has fought some of the best in the business and been through wars. He’s back and better than ever from an injury that took him out of the game for a while, and he is ready to go. Scott is still young in this sport, but he’s hungry and talented, a dangerous combination. I’ve never seen anyone as focused as Scott Holtzman is right now, the guy is on a mission. This is going to be an interesting fight. Scott’s rough, ground and pound style versus John’s slick submissions…I honestly don’t know how this one is going to turn out, but I am excited to get a Champion crowned and continue our promotions Lightweight chase.”
Xtreme Fighting Championships makes its way back to Tampa, Florida for XFC 24: Collision Course on June 14, 2013. The event is presented by ICRealTime Security Solutions and ThroatPunch Ind. Apparel. The event will be broadcast Live on AXS TV from the beautiful USF Sun Dome, beginning at 9pm. For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.officialxfc.com. For daily updates and news, follow this event and the XFC on Facebook and Twitter @OfficialXFC.
Article by J. Hobbs