Scott Holtzman

Scott Holtzman (born September 30, 1983) is an American former mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional from 2012 to 2022, he formerly competed for the Xtreme Fighting Championships, where he was the Lightweight Champion.

Background Holtzman was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and spent his childhood in Fountain City. He attended Central High School, where he played football and baseball. During high school, he also played ice hockey with the Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association. After high school, Holtzman attended Hiwassee College, where he played baseball and earned an associate degree in Business Administration. He transferred from Hiwassee to the University of Tennessee, where he played club hockey and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. In his professional debut, Holtzman defeated Brandon Demastes by rear-naked choke at XFC16: High Stakes in front of a home crowd in Knoxville, Tennessee. He would decidedly win his next two fights against Matt Metts (XFC 18: Music City Mayhem) and Chris Coggins (XFC 20: High Octane) each in the first round by KO/TKO stoppage respectively.

XFC Lightweight Title

Holtzman opened up 2013 with a win by unanimous decision against Jason Hicks in a title eliminating match at XFC 22: Crossing The Line. Since Newell refused to fight Holtzman, Prisco stripped Newell of his belt and paired Holtzman against John Mahlow to compete for the vacated Lightweight belt at XFC 24: Collision Course. On June 14, 2013, Holtzman beat Mahlow by TKO (punches) in the second round to win the XFC Lightweight Title. Holtzman would go on to win by unanimous decision.

Holtzman made his promotional debut against Anthony Christodoulou on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73.

In his second fight for the promotion, Holtzman faced Drew Dober on January 2, 2016, at UFC 195. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Holtzman next faced Cody Pfister on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 91, and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Holtzman faced Josh Emmett on December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox 22. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Holtzman next faced Michael McBride April 22, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 108. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Holtzman faced Darrell Horcher on December 9, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 123. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On January 25, 2018, Holtzman announced that he had signed a new, four-fight deal with UFC.

Holtzman faced Alan Patrick on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. He won the fight via knockout in the third round after dropping Patrick with a punch and eventually finishing the fight with elbows.

Holtzman faced Nik Lentz on February 17, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 1. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Holtzman faced Dong Hyun Ma on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 5. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage between the second and third round as the swelling on Ma's right eye rendered him unable to continue.

Holtzman faced Jim Miller on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167. He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision. The bout also earned Holtzman his first Fight of the Night bonus award.

Holtzman faced Beneil Dariush on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Hotzman faced Mateusz Gamrot on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2. He lost the bout via knockout in the second round.

Hotzman faced Clay Guida on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42. He lost the fight via split decision and Hotzman retired after the loss.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time)