TUF 18 Finale: Chris Holdsworth, “I Just Think It’s My Time”

Team Tate’s Chris Holdsworth chases his dream of becoming The Ultimate Fighter 18 winner when he faces Team Rousey’s David Grant at this weekend’s The Ultimate Fighter Finale.

The two kept low profiles during the season, remaining focused on the goal, but only one of them can win.

“I have a lot of respect for Davey. He’s a really great competitor, a really good fighter, and overall really good dude. We got along really well in the show and I respect him as a person. I respect him as a fighter, but this is business and we both want the same thing,” said Holdsworth during a recent media conference call. “We’re going to go in there on Saturday night and show the world who deserves it, so that’s pretty much it.”

Heading into the biggest fight of his career, Holdsworth is remaining grounded and approaching it as just another fight.

“To me it’s just another fight. Everyone says, you got the biggest fight of your life coming up, and yes I do see it that way, but I’m also just looking at it as another fight because I don’t need any extra added pressure,” he said. “I’m going in there with a clear mind and a big heart. I’m just going in there ready to fight.”

Outside of the show, Holdsworth trains at one of the premier camps for lighter weight fighters, Team Alpha Male. He shares gym time with former featherweight champion Urijah Faber, top flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez, bantamweight contender Chad Mendes, as well as The Ultimate Fighter 14 finalist TJ Dillashaw, among others.

Having such high level and accomplished fighters surrounding him is an asset. And having many of them with scheduled fights in the next few weeks has allowed Holdsworth to be part of championship level preparation.

“Having individuals with a lot of the same goals kind of just helps me put things in perspective, seeing how people get ready for huge UFC fights – title fights,” he said.

“I had a chance to get ready with Joseph Benavidez, who’s fighting for the flyweight strap. Plus, he was fighting on the same card as us, but he actually got pushed back two weeks. We got four guys fighting on the Dec. 14 card in Sacramento. So all of us have been peaking together and training together and it’s been going great, so that’s what it is,” added Holdsworth.

With training camp behind him, Holdsworth is ready to be the next Alpha Male fighter to make waves in the UFC.

“It’s definitely a tough fight and a stepping stone to my career, so I’m just looking at it that way and I’m ready,” he said. “I just think it’s my time.”