The XFC returned to their home base of Tampa, Florida on Friday night for XFC 24 and Scott Holtzman won the vacant lightweight title as he defeated John Mahlow in the second round.
Mahlow was able to start off the fight strong as he was able to push the pace and get the fight to the ground in the first thirty seconds. Holtzman did get back to his feet quickly. Mahlow continued to grapple but Holtzman landed several short strikes and opened up a cut on the top of his opponents head.
Holtzman was control the remainder of the opening round and landed multiple short strikes while he had top position as the opening round came to a conclusion.
As the second round opened, Holtzman was able to keep control of the fight with his strikes and the fight went to the ground. Holtzman landed multiple strikes that ended up opening a cut on Mahlow and he used his ground and pound to get the stoppage at the 2:53 mark of the second round.
Holtzman (5-0) wins the vacant XFC lightweight title and three of his last four wins have come by stoppage.
Ricky Rainey stops Reggie Pena with a head kick in first round
The co-main event of the fight card was a middleweight bout as Ricky Rainey won his third straight fight as he knocked out Reggie Pena in the first round.
The fight opened with Pena as the agressor and immediately looked for a takedown. However, Rainey was able to gain control and took the fight to the ground. While on the ground, he worked in the half guard position and nearly obtained the full mount position. Pena was able to stop the pass but Rainey was able to land several strikes from top position.
Pena would be able to work his way back to his feet and he once again looked for a takedown. They would grapple for around a minute against the fence before the fighters separated from each other. Rainey landed a combination that rocked Pena and ended up finishing the fight after he landed a head kick.
The end of the fight came at the 4:33 mark of the opening round and Rainey has now won two of his last three fights by TKO in the first round.
The complete XFC 24 Results are below:
Main Card: (AXS TV)
Scott Holtzman def. John Mahlow via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 2:53
Ricky Rainey def. Reggie Pena via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:33
Luis Santos def. Dave Courchaine via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:10
Eric Reynolds def. Kevin Forant via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:13
Cortney Casey def. Kelly Warren via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:33
Shah Bobonis def. Deivison Ribeiro via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
John Cofer def. Chad Livingston via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nick Smith def. Ladarious Jackson via DQ (illegal knee) – Round 2, 2:38
Patrick Williams def. Gabe Maldonado via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:50
Jason Ignacek def. Ken Crowder via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:03
Gilbert Burgos def. Jason Gladey via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)