Beneil Dariush (158: Missed Weight) vs. Scott Holtzman

Round 1
Kicking off the main card is another catchweight contest, this time down one scheduled weight class as Dariush (18-4-1, 12-4-1 UFC) came in two pounds heavy against “Hot Sauce” Holtzman (14-3, 7-3 UFC). Our Octagon ranger overseeing the match is Herb Dean, and despite the weight miss, there is a touch of gloves to signify the respect between these two men. Holtzman sticks out his jab, and he ducks a counter to land a right straight. Dariush returns fire with a blistering body kick, and Holtzman stretches his fingers out and jabs Dariush in the eye with a thumb to halt the action early. Dean gives them a pause, and when they begin, they touch gloves again. Dariush kicks low a few times, and one ricochets off Holtzman’s cup. Another exchange leads to another eye poke from a jabbing pinky, and we’ve seen three fouls in 45 seconds. When the action resumes again, Dariush comes out swinging. He charges forward with a few punches and turns that into a takedown attempt, lifting up the single and his opponent in the air but unable to secure it. One of the punches in the prior exchange has opened up a cut above Holtzman’s eye, and it has started to leak into his eye. Dariush grinds him hard on the fence as Holtzman tries to fend him off, and “Hot Sauce” breaks free and lands a few hard hooks. Dariush blasts Holtzman with a knee about as clean as anyone can land, and Holtzman is hurt badly. Dariush swings wildly and lands several more times as Holtzman tries to survive. Dariush rips a few more knees as Holtzman falls towards the ground, with the latter attempting a desperation takedown. Dariush stuffs it and takes his back for a moment, but Holtzman gathers his senses and presses Dariush to the cage. Dariush cracks him with another knee and a left hand on the break, and Holtzman’s knees are still very weak. Dariush slings and misses a head kick, and Holtzman counters with a crisp left of his own. Dariush tags him with a left, and misses wildly with a head kick. The two men swing and evade strikes, and Dariush checks a leg kick and lands heavy shots. Dariush clubs him with several powerful shots, and Holtzman is stumbling across the cage in grave danger.
Dariush walks forward calmly and spins without any telegraphing, and scorches “Hot Sauce” with a back fist that may have actually been more of his forearm, and Holtzman is done like dinner.
Dean jumps in to rescue Holtzman, who has now suffered the first stoppage loss of his career after a wild battle.

The Official Result
Beneil Dariush def. Scott Holtzman R1 4:38 via TKO (Spinning Backfist)

Jim Miller vs. Scott Holtzman

Round 1
Up next is a man in Miller (31-13, 1 NC; 20-12, 1 NC UFC) who sports nearly three times the MMA experience as his opponent, “Hot Sauce” Holtzman (13-3, 6-3 UFC), at lightweight. Miller will tie Donald Cerrone with the most appearances in UFC history (34) by competing tonight, although we do not expect that record to hold for long by either man. The two engage in dueling 1980’s walkouts, as Holtzman uses “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, while Miller counters with “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy. Referee Robert Romero may not want to admit it, but he enjoyed the walkout music as much as everyone else did. Holtzman opens up with pawing jabs to find his range, and Miller is the first to commit with a strike by missing with a long left hand. Miller kicks the leg out from beneath “Hot Sauce,” but Holtzman springs back to his feet without issue. Holtzman throws a low kick, and lazily flicks out a right front kick that misses, so Miller times a counter left hand and nearly kicks the leg out again. Miller avoids a looping right hand with another quick counter left. Miller backs up, and then lands a heavy body kick before switching to the other side with a powerful left hook. Miller targets that lead leg again with a kick, and Holtzman responds with a front kick that falls short of the target. Holtzman feints and fakes his way in, but Miller does not bite on those and times a knee up the middle and a straight left. Holtzman crowds Miller against the cage, but “A-10” throws a high kick and then crashes forward to consider a takedown. Holtzman spins him off and pushes Miller against the fence, so Miller lifts up a quick knee. Miller breaks free and lands a left, so the two trade punches. Holtzman stings Miller with a right, so Miller replies in kind. As Miller charges forward, Holtzman tags Miller with a right, and then lands another. One of the punches in the series from Holtzman has opened up the nose of Miller, so Miller rushes forward with an uppercut that just misses the mark. Holtzman wings a right hand, and as he misses, Miller comes right back at him. Miller cracks Holtzman with a left hand that wobbles the legs of the man from Tennessee, but he is quick to get his bearings as he avoids a superman punch coming his way. This close round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Miller

Round 2
This is the first time Miller has seen a second round in quite some time, and it begins furiously, as both land on one another heavily. Holtzman lands a leg kick, and initiates the clinch where he ties Miller up against the fence. Miller eats an elbow, and tries to set up a Thai clinch but instead fires an elbow back at him. Holtzman whiffs with an uppercut, and Miller is fast on the counter. Holtzman swings with a spinning elbow, and Miller ducks and immediately pursues the back of his opponent. Holtzman thwarts a takedown attempt and pushes free from a potentially dangerous position, and starts loading up on shots. Miller takes several punches and is hurt and bloodied up. Miller, ever the action fighter, throws right back and lands harshly. Miller fires a head kick that is blocked, and as he tries to swing for the fences, Holtzman races forward to clinch up. Holtzman trips the legs out and gets Miller down in full guard. Miller’s corner calls for Mission Control, and Miller obliges, lifting his leg to tie up Holtzman as his corner calls for other moves from the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu repertoire. Briefly flirting with an omoplata, Holtzman avoids the maneuver and stands back up before dropping back down with some heavy elbows. Miller avoids the brunt of the damage but still absorbs some powerful strikes as he tries to kick off and get free. The round ends with Holtzman standing back up again.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman

Round 3
A bloody Miller walks forward and lands a solid left, but Holtzman replies with a stiff right that snaps the head back of the longtime vet. Holtzman splits the guard with an uppercut, and Miller tries to counter and nearly falls over. Miller loads up with a pair of left hands, and Holtzman keeps moving to avoid most of them flush. Miller connects with one and stands up Holtzman, and “Hot Sauce” fires back with a solid right as he presses Miller against the fence. Miller circles out and the two start trading, but Holtzman is landing more effectively as Miller’s movement appears to be somewhat compromised. Holtzman lands a stern right hand, and avoids a huge looping shot from Miller as he clinches up again. Holtzman brings up a few knees to the sternum, and fires an elbow and a few quick punches to the body. Miller gets free after eating some serious shots, and kicks the leg out from beneath Holtzman again. Miller is unable to capitalize on it, and Holtzman begins to target the head and body of his opponent with some vicious punches. Miller throws back, but his counters are increasingly labored and Holtzman is able to evade them in time. Holtzman closes the distance to hold Miller against the cage wall, and after a brief clinch period, Miller shoves him away with around 30 seconds left. With reckless abandon, Miller throws wild punches, and Holtzman follows with some of his own. Holtzman leaps in the air with a knee, tries to spin with an elbow, and Miller aims a head kick back at his direction. The two warriors trade until the bitter end, and then raise their arms in victory after hard-fought battle.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman (29-28 Holtzman)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman (30-27 Holtzman)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holtzman (29-28 Holtzman)

The Official Result
Scott Holtzman def. Jim Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)