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?

XFC 24 to showcase Lightweights Kevin Forant and Eric Reynolds

In 2001, Florida became home to professional sports greatest nickname, when Lakeland's own Rod "He Hate Me" Smart captivated football audiences in the XFL. On June 14th, Smart will have to concede that title, when Xtreme Fighting Championships presents a showdown between two of the sports best lightweights, Kevin "The Master of Cool" Forant and Eric "It’s a Wrap” Reynolds, Live on AXS TV, from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.

Dave Courchaine signs long term deal with XFC; Faces Luis Santos at XFC 24

Xtreme Fighting Championships is excited to announce the signing of rising star “Insane” Dave Courchaine (15-5), to its already stacked Welterweight Division.  Courchaine hails from Cheney, Washington and trains out of Spokane’s School of Boxing and MMA.  The “Insane” one is currently riding an 8 fight win streak, with only 3 of those bouts making it out of the 1st round.  Courchaine was a decorated high school wrestler, earning Washington’s High School Wrestler of the Decade Award. He also owns a perfect 10-0 boxing record.

They say, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.  But in the world of mixed martial arts, hell hath no fury like a woman fighting on national television!  On June 14, 2013, Live from the USF Sun Dome in beautiful Tampa, Florida, Xtreme Fighting Championships keeps its promise and tradition of showcasing Women’s MMA, by adding a Flyweight showdown between Cortney Casey and Kelly Warren.

Cortney “Cast Iron” Casey (0-0) is wasting no time making a name for herself as a professional fighter. The former professional soccer player’s decision to jump right into the fire and face WMMA veteran Kelly Warren has almost everyone scratching their heads. However, if you ask anyone that knows Casey, this is just typical Cortney. Kerry Hartney, matchmaker for the Las Vegas amateur super show, Tuff Nuff, had this to say about the debuting Casey: “Cortney Casey doesn’t want easy fights. She doesn’t get motivated unless there is a tough challenge in front of her. The girl never backs down from a challenge, so it doesn’t surprise me one bit that she is fighting Kelly Warren in her debut. Mark my words, soon everyone will know Cortney Casey’s name.”  Casey closed out her amateur career with three dynamic performances for the famed Vegas promotion, which included a title win and defense of their Flyweight Championship. Her most spectacular win as an amateur came in her last bout, when she submitted Rachael Cummings with a highlight reel flying armbar in November of 2012. On June 14th, the question will be answered, will “Cast Iron” Casey turn up the heat on Kelly Warren and start her journey to XFC gold with a huge win, or will Warren leave her second guessing her opponent choice?

Beat the Streets Rumble on the Rails stops at Grand Central Terminal in New York City Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Iran and Russia traveled across seas to compete with the United States freestyle wrestling team at the Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. The competition will be held adjacent to the annual Beat the Streets Awards Gala, following wrestling at the Bryant Park Grill. Obe Blanc earned the honors of being invited to wrestle at the event for the United States.

This past Saturday, May 11, Strikehard Productions, one of the long standing Alabama premier mixed martial arts companies reached out from their comfort zone of MMA shows and branched out into the grappling world. Many did not know how well they would do since they are better known for MMA and have been highly successful in that realm. Well, to a lot of fans surprise, SHP knocked it out of the park. In traditional SHP style the production was amazing and what more could you expect? With thousands invested into brand new mats, SHP had a lot on the line with this first event and early estimates show it was very successful. With close to 150 participants they filled the Thompson Middle School Gym in Alabaster, Alabama with participants and fans alike.

Anyone who questioned if Holly Holm's heart was in this fight was quickly answered. In her Swan Song fight Holm did what she's done so many times before: take her opponent apart. She left "Merciless" Mary McGee standing flat footed and confused. McGee appeared to switch up her game plan on the fly more than once, at times rushing Holms in an attempt to cut off the ring, other times standing still and waiting to counter punch - neither worked.

Pat “The Punisher” Russo, 33, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran, a former police officer in Plainfield, N.J., now a Pennsylvania state trooper and a professional mixed martial artist.

The former Military Police Officer, now a resident of Allentown, PA has been serving on the Pennsylvania state police out of the Belfast for eight years. The hours of his work schedule may vary from time to time, however they follow a pattern of 10 consecutive days on with four days off.

“If I’m not in a patrol car, I’m in the gym” Russo said.

New Jersey native, Calogero Torretta, 18, has been training and competing in Karate for more than 15 years.

Next week the New Jerseyan will travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina where he will compete for the United States in the Pan American Karate Championships.

14-time world champion Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm may be hanging-up her gloves Saturday night, but, she's only switching from a ring to a cage as she pursues her very promising mixed-martial-arts career.

 Holm (32-2-3, 9 KOs) will defend her International Boxing Association (IBA) and World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior lightweight titles against former NABC World lightweight title-holder "Merciless" Mary McGee (20-1, 11 KOs) in the 10-round main event headlining the "Mayhem" card, presented by Fresquez Productions, at Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.