XFC 22 results: Holtzman outpoints Hicks to earn title shot vs. Newell

It wasn't a perfect fight, and it wasn't always pretty. But Scott Holtzman probably isn't worried about that.

What he will be worried about is the title shot he'll get later this year after his unanimous decision win over Jason Hicks. Holtzman took the nod in the main event of Xtreme Fighting Championships 22 on Friday and now moves on to a lightweight title fight with champion Nick Newell. Holtzman swept the judges' scorecards, winning 30-27 on all three.

Friday's card took place at Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, N.C. The night's main card aired on AXS TV.

Holtzman and Hicks each looked to open with leg kicks, but it was Holtzman who threw the first big move of the fight, leaping into a punch that didn't connect. Hicks tried to counter, but the two clinched up briefly. Holtzman threw a combo after they broke apart, and again they clinched momentarily. The two again tied up with three minutes left in the round, but after 40 seconds again they split up and went back to work in the center. Holtzman threw a pair of kicks that were partially blocked, but led to a counter right from Hicks. Again the two tied up. But moments later, Hicks leaped over the top of Holtzman with a jumping knee, but connected on a counter. Holtzman got the fight to the ground just before the round ended.

Hicks landed a knee early in the second, but Holtzman went for one of his own and tied Hicks up. About a minute in, Holtzman got the fight to the ground and tried to go to work out of Hicks' guard with ground-and-pound. Holtzman tried to rise up and land, but Hicks played good defense from his back. With 90 seconds left, without much happening on the ground, the ref stood them up to restart from the center. Both fighters threw kicks, but Holtzman landed a punch, a jumping knee and then looked for a standing arm triangle that Hicks had to slip. But Holtzman slammed him to the ground and finished the round there.

Holtzman thew a good combination early in the third that backed Hicks up, and while clinched up he landed knees before they split up 20 seconds later. The action stalled a bit on the fence again, but it was Holtzman keeping the pressure on. Midway through the frame, Gary Copeland again split them apart.

Holtzman threw a jumping knee that appeared to land, and Hicks nodded at him and dropped his hands. Holtzman made him pay and landed a big right hand that put Hicks on the canvas. Holtzman followed immediately and landed a flurry on the ground, but Hicks recovered and settled into guard. It looked as if Holtzman might be able to ride the fight out on the ground. But Copeland again stood them up. Holtzman caught a Hicks kick, held it for a few seconds, then kicked Hicks' right leg out from under him and again was on top working as the fight closed out.

"(The first round) wasn't frustrating," Holtzman said. "I was mentally prepared for it, and I knew what he had. I knew I was going to take some licks. He's an awesome fighter. I'm always wanting to land (the right hand). It's my favorite punch, and it's fun. Nick, you've got my belt, buddy. I'm coming for it."

Holtzman (4-0) stayed unbeaten and moves on to an eventual title shot against Newell, who also is unbeaten at 9-0. Hicks (5-1) lost for the first time in his pro career.

Rainey outlasts Corneroli in co-main event

Joseph Corneroli wanted to kick his way to victory, but Ricky Rainey wasn't having any of it as he grinded his way to a unanimous decision sweep in Friday's co-main event.

Corneroli worked body kicks early, but Rainey's reach helped him land some good straight right hands that forced Corneroli to tie things up. But Rainey reversed along the cage and worked shots to the body. After a couple minutes there, Corneroli was able to turn things around after eating a few knees to the body from Rainey. But with a few seconds left, Rainey worked his way out of the clinch and landed a few punches in a flurry that had Corneroli backing up right before the horn.

Corneroli again went after body kicks in the second, while Rainey tried to measure for a big right hand that he never seemed to be able to land. The two again clinched up, and much of the second was spent there until the referee finally split them. Corneroli tried to mount some kind of offense late, but it was Rainey who drilled a takedown as time ran down.

Corneroli tried to capitalize on a Rainey slip after a m issued kick, and he was able to mount his best offense. Rainey appeared to be slowing down, and Corneroli tried to take advantage on the ground before the two again clinched up. And once that happened, Corneroli had a hard time getting away. He finally did with 35 seconds left in the fight, but only after eating a few Rainey rights on the fence moments earlier.

Rainey (5-1) now has won two straight and improves to 2-1 under the XFC banner. Corneroli (3-1) lost for the first time in his pro career.

Gonzalez submits Montero with four seconds left in first

It took a little bit of patience, but it paid off for Pearl Gonzalez, who spent nearly all of the first round on top of Suzie Montero before finally submitting her with an armbar with just four seconds left in the opening frame.

Gonzalez opened with some kicks and took the fight to the ground fairly quickly, where Montero went to work out of her guard. Gonzalez postured up for ground-and-pound, but Montero played defense well early and tried to roll her way out. Gonzalez kept working to pass Montero's guard and finally did to side control. But she wasn't able to inflict much damage from there.

But with 25 seconds left, she hopped up to full mount, grabbed an arm and yanked back for an armbar. Montero initially defended. But with just seconds remaining in the round, Gonzalez adjusted it and forced Montero to tap.

Gonzalez (1-1), who made her pro debut a little more than a year ago, got her first victory. Montero (1-2) lost for the second straight time after a loss to Jessamyn Duke this past July.

XFC 22 results:

MAIN CARD

Scott Holtzman def. Jason Hicks via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ricky Rainey def. Joseph Corneroli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Pearl Gonzalez def. Suzie Montero via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:56
Roger Carroll def. Josh Eagans via submission (triangle choke) - Round 2, 0:59
D'Angelo Bynum def. Jimmy Fowler via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
D'juan Owens def. Nate Landwehr via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Joseph Carroll def. Len Cook via unanimous decision
Jeremy Severn def. Aaron Osbourne via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:50
Rahshun Ball def. Thomas Campbell via unanimous decision
Cody Wells def. Luke Neyland via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:45
Carlos Vivas def. Brandon Boggs via TKO - Round 1, 3:56

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