Scott Holtzman thinks in many ways, he overachieved.
The lightweight hung up his gloves Saturday and put an end to a 10-year MMA career. Unfortunately for Holtzman (14-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC), he wasn’t able to walk away with a victory after a decision loss Clay Guida (38-19 MMA, 18-16 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 42 in Orlando, Fla.
But despite not getting the ideal ending, the 39-year-old Holtzman is at peace with his retirement decision.
“All of my losses (were to) just killers – title picture (opponents),” Holtzman told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 42 post-fight press conference (via Bro Bible). “All killers. I got into the UFC when I was 30 years old. I was just a guy from Tennessee, an athlete. I started getting pretty good at fighting and just rode the wave and all of a sudden I’m up here in the UFC with these world champions, jiu-jitsu black belts and Division-I wrestlers. I’m just a kid from Tennessee, just an athlete. It’s a been one hell of a ride. I’ve had a lot of great opportunities in the UFC, and through fighting I’ve met some of the best people in the world.”
Holtzman fought in the UFC from 2015-2022. He holds a win over Jim Miller and shared the cage with many other notable names like Beneil Dariush, Josh Emmett and Mateusz Gamrot.
Holtzman said he is proud of what he achieved in his time in the UFC and leaves the organization with no regrets.
“I wasn’t supposed to be here,” Holtzman said. “All I ever really wanted to be was a professional athlete, and I ended up doing that.
“I hung in there with some of the best guys in the world. I was just outside the top 15, and that ain’t bad. There was a lot of reflection going on. I really enjoyed the process and really trying to take it day by day. There were a couple of times I got sad in the weight cut, and I’m like, ‘Hey, man. It’s your last one. Let’s just enjoy it. You’ll never get to do it again.'”
