XFC lightweight champion Scott Holtzman is now a free agent after he was released from his contract last week by the Florida based promotion.
XFC President John Prisco told TheMMAReport.com in a statement today that his organization decided to part ways with the current lightweight champion after Holtzman wanted to explore other options.
“Scott’s contract was up with us at the end of September and he wanted to explore some options that were being offered to him,” Prisco said in a statement. “We fully expect to see great thing involving Scott’s career. He was a great Champion and class act with the XFC. It was a wonderful relationship, we wish him the best.”
Following his release from the XFC, Holtzman released a statement on his Facebook page and made it clear that his goal is to make it to the UFC.
“As of Tuesday August 4, I have been officially released from my XFC contract,” Holtzman wrote on Facebook. “First off, I would like to thank everyone within the XFC MMA organization for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to shine. Without a doubt, the majority of my greatest memories to this point in my career have come inside the XFC cage- it has been one hell of a ride.”
“Secondly, I will be moving on with my career and as many of you already know I feel like I am just getting started in this great sport. I have a few exciting offers that I am hoping to narrow down and decide on soon. There will be more news to come in the next few weeks. However, I will leave you with this — there is only one goal at this point in my career, that’s it. That is the UFC.”
Since releasing a statement on his Facebook page, Holtzman has tweeted that he was contacted by the match maker for Titan Fighting Championships and was offered a spot on an upcoming preliminary card.
@JAronsonTitanFC @TitanFighting contacted the matchmaker. He threw out a low offer, said I was fairly unknown and offered an undercard spot.
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) August 11, 2014
Holtzman (7-0) began his professional career in the XFC and his first six wins came in the promotion. He became the XFC lightweight champion last year when he defeated John Mahlow at XFC 24 and successfully defended the title against Roger Carroll at XFC 26. Since his victory over Carroll, he took a fight outside of the XFC and won a decision against George Sheppard at Premier Fighting Championship 9 in April.