Lightweight Beneil Dariush returns this weekend at UFC Vegas 6. There, he takes on Scott “Hot Sauce” Holtzman.
It’s not the match-up Dariush was looking for. “I thought I would get someone ranked much higher after my last couple of performances,” he said during the UFC Vegas 6 virtual media day. “I would like to fight in the top ten, top five. I think that’s where I belong.”
Dariush (18-4-1) is winner of his last four bouts, in fact. Names like Drew Dober and most recently Drakkar Klose pepper that list. It was only enough to land Holtzman, who himself is on a two-fight win streak.
“With Scott, he’s all-around good. He’s just tough. A former hockey player. He’s looking to come in and make a statement. And I’m the guy he’s looking to step over to get ranked,” said Dariush. “And that’s just not going to happen. I can’t let that happen.”
Dariush sees Holtzman as well-rounded. “He’s physically strong, and just kind of well-rounded in terms of MMA grappling, striking, but it seems he likes striking more.”
Just as important getting his hand raised, he added, “I can’t just win — I have to be dominant.”
UFC Vegas 6 takes place Saturday, August 8, airing live on ESPN+ (TSN in Canada).
