Beneil Dariush vs Scott Holtzman Prediction and Odds, UFC Vegas 6 Main Card

Two lightweights verging on bigger dreams bring winning runs into UFC Vegas 6 Main Card action as Beneil Dariush meets Scott "Hot Sauce" Holtzman.

Beneil Dariush (18-4-1, -160)

Dariush has proven his class by posting three consecutive stoppages vs. Drakkar Klose, Frank Camacho and touted prospect Drew Dober. The Kings MMA affiliate is 12-4-1 in the Octagon after an early 2014 debut. Always on the short list of fringe contenders, another win could put "Benny" on the fast track to top-ten status. In 22 pro fights -16 with the UFC- Dariush owns four TKO's, eight submissions and six decisions. It speaks to the 31-year-old's skill level that he's come of age in the Octagon. Reaching his prime, Dariush looks to use Holtzman as a stepping stone along his journey. Overall, Dariush lands 3.87 significant strikes per minute and secures 1.10 submission per 15 minutes against the world's best.

Scott Holtzman (14-3, +140)

"Hot Sauce" is 5-1 vs. his last six Octagon opponents. While the names of Holtzman's recently defeated assignments aren't on par with Saturday's test, the Gym-O trainee views Dariush as his ticket to bigger lights. After dropping a 2019 encounter vs. Nik Lentz, 36-year-old Holtzman rebounded vs. Dong Hyun Ma and Jim Miller. Given Miller's dominance over hot prospect Roosevelt Roberts, Holtzman earned credit by defeating the UFC lightweight staple in February. An impressive physical specimen, the Knoxville native has finished half of his 14 pro wins. Well-rounded, Holtzman lands 4.52 significant strikes per minute and 2.23 takedowns per 15 minutes. Also sporting an excellent record at the highest MMA peak, Holtzman stands 7-3 vs. Octagon fare.

The Prediction: Both men are veterans looking to breakthrough by beating the other. As stated, Dariush has competed at a higher level than Holtzman for quite some time. The knowledge gained from high-stakes encounters is invaluable. Expect Beneil Dariush to translate his accrued positional understanding while catching Holtzman in a fight-ending submission to jumpstart UFC Vegas 6 in style.

The Pick: Beneil Dariush by submission