Background
Holtzman was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and spent his childhood in Fountain City.
Holtzman was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and spent his childhood in Fountain City.
He attended Central High School, where he played football and baseball. After high school, Holtzman attended Hiwassee College, where he played baseball and earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.
He currently competes in the Lightweight division for the UFC. Holtzman trains primarily at Shield Systems in Knoxville, Tennessee (coach Ben Harrison) and the Mobile Marketing Association Laboratory in Glendale, Arizona (coach John Crouch). During high school, he also played ice hockey with the Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association. He transferred from Hiwassee to the University of Tennessee, where he played club hockey and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
In 2008-2009, Holtzman enjoyed a brief stint playing for the Knoxville Ice Bears.
Holtzman began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2009. He compiled an undefeated amateur record of 4-0, with his final match earning him a contract with the Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC).
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. XFC Lightweight Title
In May 2013, it was reported that Newell had refused to fight Holtzman.
According to XFC president, John Prisco, Newell was hoping to face former UFC fighters in order to make his claim to move up into the UFC. Prisco, however, felt that Holtzman had "earned the right" to face Newell for the title.
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 August 14, 2014, Holtzman announced that he had signed a four-fight deal with the UFC. 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.
2013 AXS television Fighter of the Year.