Lightweight Scott Holtzman looks to extend his winning streak to three-straight on August 8, and is happy to do so against a notable opponent in Beneil Dariush. The card, currently clocking in as UFC Fight Night 174, is set to be headlined by Derrick Lewis and Aleksei Oleinik, and is one of five events the promotion has planned for Las Vegas next month.
“I mean obviously [he’s] a huge name, world-class and all that,” Holtzman told Cageside Press recently. “I’m just trying to try to move up man. Trying to pick guys off slowly move back up. [I’ve] had some checkered losses early in my career to some guys are turning out to be pretty good here lately. I needed a fight. There weren’t many guys who are fighting right now but Beneil’s fighting so they matched us up and I said ‘Let’s ride man’ I’m looking to take his spot.”
Holtzman (14-3) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jim Miller in February, which was his fifth win in his last six fights. “Hot Sauce” believes keeping his composure during the bout and not getting reckless will lead him to victory.
“I know I’m gonna swing on his ass that’s for sure,” Holtzman said. “And he gets hit so I’m gonna hit him. You know me, man, I’m gonna hit and I’m gonna be hit. He’s there to be had I definitely see lots of opening so um, swing on his ass, but I’m gonna try to be smart, I get in trouble when I get fired up and let my emotions get the best of me. So I’m gonna try to stay within myself and, and have a nice clean game. I think discipline will win this fight. So that’s how I plan to do it.”
While the 36-year-old admitted he looks to take his career fight by fight, he doesn’t plan on fighting too much longer. Unlike other fighters like Glover Teixeria and Aleksei Oleinik who are still competing in their forties, Holtzman has his exit plan set.
“I don’t think I’ll be fighting into my forties,” Holtzman explained. “I always told myself as long as I’m having fun, and I feel pretty good, I’m gonna keep doing it. And I still feel like I’m fighting at a high level. So it seems like easy money right now. So it’s just it’s a tough balance because the money starts to get really good at the end so it kind of draws you in. So I’m trying to just capitalize on some of that money and you know, still have fun too.”
UFC Fight Night 174 takes place on August 8. Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis battles Alexey Oleinik in the main event
