Kevin Holland
Trail Blazer
USA
Crushing defeat in New Orleans
Holland lost to Daniel Rodriguez via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
This is the risk you run when you are willing to step into the Octagon against any opponent at any time. Holland had less than nothing to gain from a rankings standpoint in this fight, and now he's going to have to try to work his way back from a crushing defeat. For what it's worth, Holland was down two rounds and had no business working his way back into the fight. On the flip side, he had Rodriguez hurt so badly in Round 3 that he probably could/should have earned the stoppage win if he just displayed a bit better fight IQ and didn't disengaged his opponent. Holland also could have been looking at a 10-8 score in the final frame and possibly a draw, although D-Rod made a huge late push to end in a dominant position and eliminate that possibility. The bottom line is that Holland can't be losing as a -600 favorite against anyone, especially at welterweight, his preferred and most effective weight class.
This is the risk you run when you are willing to step into the Octagon against any opponent at any time. Holland had less than nothing to gain from a rankings standpoint in this fight, and now he's going to have to try to work his way back from a crushing defeat. For what it's worth, Holland was down two rounds and had no business working his way back into the fight. On the flip side, he had Rodriguez hurt so badly in Round 3 that he probably could/should have earned the stoppage win if he just displayed a bit better fight IQ and didn't disengaged his opponent. Holland also could have been looking at a 10-8 score in the final frame and possibly a draw, although D-Rod made a huge late push to end in a dominant position and eliminate that possibility. The bottom line is that Holland can't be losing as a -600 favorite against anyone, especially at welterweight, his preferred and most effective weight class.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
New challenger scheduled
Holland will fight Daniel Rodriguez in a middleweight fight at UFC 318 on July 19, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Holland is coming off a victory as he defeated Vicente Luque via submission at UFC 316. Trail Blazer will now face a new fighter, Daniel Rodriguez, who is coming off back-to-back victories with his most recent being Santiago Ponzibbio via TKO. Both fighters will be looking to extend their win streak.
Holland is coming off a victory as he defeated Vicente Luque via submission at UFC 316. Trail Blazer will now face a new fighter, Daniel Rodriguez, who is coming off back-to-back victories with his most recent being Santiago Ponzibbio via TKO. Both fighters will be looking to extend their win streak.
Chokes out Vicente Luque
Holland defeated Vicente Luque via submission (brabo choke) at 1:03 of Round 2 at UFC 316 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
As we all know, Holland is willing to fight any opponent, at any time, in any weight class. The middleweight bouts he has accepted in the past have limited Holland's chances to move up the rankings. When he competes at welterweight, like he did here, he's darn good. Holland, who entered as a -205 favorite, outworked Luque in Round 1 before grabbing the neck and putting him away early in Round 2. The finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Holland has fought a whopping seven times since September 2023, going just 3-4 in that span despite the fact he has won each of his past two bouts.
As we all know, Holland is willing to fight any opponent, at any time, in any weight class. The middleweight bouts he has accepted in the past have limited Holland's chances to move up the rankings. When he competes at welterweight, like he did here, he's darn good. Holland, who entered as a -205 favorite, outworked Luque in Round 1 before grabbing the neck and putting him away early in Round 2. The finish would go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Holland has fought a whopping seven times since September 2023, going just 3-4 in that span despite the fact he has won each of his past two bouts.
Next bout booked
Holland will take on Vicente Luque in a welterweight bout at UFC 316 on June 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Holland is coming off a win against Gunnar Nelson that snapped a two-bout losing streak. That pushed the veteran's UFC record to 14-10, but his next fight figures to be more challenging, as his opponent Luque sits at a sterling 16-6 in the promotion.
Holland is coming off a win against Gunnar Nelson that snapped a two-bout losing streak. That pushed the veteran's UFC record to 14-10, but his next fight figures to be more challenging, as his opponent Luque sits at a sterling 16-6 in the promotion.
Earns much-needed win
Holland defeated Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
We have plenty of evidence that Holland simply isn't big enough or physical enough to compete at middleweight. Yet with his length and striking skills, he can be an effective fighter at welterweight, as we saw here. Holland predictably struggled with the grappling game of Nelson, allowing three takedowns and 9:29 worth of control time. However, he was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight with a Round 1 knockdown and survived Gunnar's lone submission attempt in Round 3. That, combined with Nelson's inactivity from top position, won him the fight. Entering with a 1-4 record in his past five fights, Holland needed a victory in the worst way. Not only did he get the win, but Holland was one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night recipients despite not securing a finish.
We have plenty of evidence that Holland simply isn't big enough or physical enough to compete at middleweight. Yet with his length and striking skills, he can be an effective fighter at welterweight, as we saw here. Holland predictably struggled with the grappling game of Nelson, allowing three takedowns and 9:29 worth of control time. However, he was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight with a Round 1 knockdown and survived Gunnar's lone submission attempt in Round 3. That, combined with Nelson's inactivity from top position, won him the fight. Entering with a 1-4 record in his past five fights, Holland needed a victory in the worst way. Not only did he get the win, but Holland was one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night recipients despite not securing a finish.
Scheduled for London fight
Holland is expected to compete against Gunnar Nelson at UFC London on March 22, per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Currently 1-4 across his last five fights, Holland will have no problem trying to get back on track quickly, barely over two months after his submission loss to Reinier de Ridder. Up next for Holland is Nelson, who has not fought since 2023 and not won a fight since 2022.
Currently 1-4 across his last five fights, Holland will have no problem trying to get back on track quickly, barely over two months after his submission loss to Reinier de Ridder. Up next for Holland is Nelson, who has not fought since 2023 and not won a fight since 2022.