The original main event for XFC 24 between Nick Newell and Scott Holtzman for the lightweight title has been cancelled, due to Newell refusing to sign the contract for the fight.
Newell, a congenital amputee missing most of the lower part of his left arm, shocked the mixed martial arts world when he defeated Eric Reynolds via rear naked choke at XFC 21 in December 2012. But the fighter who many see as an inspiration and has a record of 9-0 was today stripped of his title in the unusual circumstances, and will be replaced by a fighter who is expected to be named over the weekend.
John Prisco, XFC president, said: I’ve never had a champion refuse to defend his title. Signed fighters in our organization have put in the time, effort, and literally blood/sweat/& tears. We have some very talented lightweights and every guy on the roster knows from the beginning they’re going to have to fight the top fighters in the division to get their crack at the belt.
“Hell, many of the guys in our organization have similar XFC records to Nick Newell. They have paid the price to get to this point in their career. So for Nick to deny Scott Holtzman, or any of those that earn their shot, the same opportunity that he was given, is disrespectful in my eyes. It’s always been our motto, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. How can that happen, if your Champion will not defend his title. That’s not a true Champion.
Prisco claims the refusal to sign the contract was even more unexpected, because Newell had previously complained about fighters that didn’t want to compete with him, because of the risks and low rewards of duelling with a one-armed fighter.
“Nick built his name on fighters who were willing to step up and fight him. And now, the opportunity he received, he is not willing to extend to Scott, even though they both carry the same XFC record (4-0). To me, that’s hypocritical and I have zero respect and no room for any individual that acts like that in my organization.”
When asked for his views on the reason behind the issue, Prisco pointed to the high level of ability and talent Holtzman (4-0) brings to fights, and ultimately believes that Newell thought he would be entering a fight he couldn’t win.
“I think Nick knows what I believe. He was going to lose. Nick knows he can’t defend himself when someone like Scott puts him on his back. I believe Scott is one of the most talented 155ers on the planet. He’s training on the west coast right now with Benson Henderson for that very reason. In my eyes, I saw the fight going 1st round stoppage – Holtzman by ground and pound.”
The problems had been looming for several months, starting when Newell showed an interest in leaving the organisation to compete with former UFC fighters.
“Nick expressed his wishes to me quite some months back, that he wanted to fight ex-UFC fighters, as it would be his best route to the UFC. While I have always said we are not here to be a feeder to the UFC, I understand any fighter wanting to test themselves against those higher in the rankings. Nick was offered to fight Eric Reynolds for that reason. Then Holtzman earned his shot, in much of the same fashion Nick did. Had Nick gotten past Holtzman, we then would have put him up against one of the few new veteran’d Lightweights we are about to sign.”
Unfortunately, Newell wasn’t happy with the offers the organisation was making him, and didn’t want to wait. Despite the unprecedented issue, Prisco insists there’s still plenty to look forward to from XFC in the near future.
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