38 months after suffering a split decision loss to the now-reigning 185-lb champion, the #3 ranked middleweight has been granted an unexpected but nonetheless golden opportunity to exact his revenge – but another defeat in Arizona could be catastrophic for his future title hopes. Continue reading “Talk is cheap: Pivotal moment awaits Marvin Vettori in middleweight championship slot”
Tag: Kevin Holland
UFC Vegas 23: Marvin Vettori dominates Kevin Holland, calls for Adesanya rematch

Marvin Vettori amplified Kevin Holland’s wrestling deficiencies with a dominant and record-breaking main event victory – before calling for a rematch against existing champion Israel Adesanya, who beat him by split decision three years ago this month. Elsewhere, there were big wins for women’s strawweight Mackenzie Dern and featherweight Arnold Allen among others.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 23: Marvin Vettori dominates Kevin Holland, calls for Adesanya rematch”
No Darren Till, no problem for middleweight title-chasing Marvin Vettori
After Darren Till (#5) broke his collarbone in training and withdrew from this weekend’s main event on March 30, Kevin Holland – who recently underwhelmed against Derek Brunson (#4) – is stepping up on nine days’ notice to face Vettori (#6), though the Italian is unfazed as he continues on the trail to get a crack at the middleweight strap and an Israel Adesanya rematch. Continue reading “No Darren Till, no problem for middleweight title-chasing Marvin Vettori”
UFC Vegas 22: Disciplined Derek Brunson derails the Kevin Holland hype train
#7 middleweight Derek Brunson embraced his role as underdog again, riding the big punches to earn a composed, workmanlike UD (49-45, 49-46 x 2) win over Kevin Holland (#10) with a career-best six takedowns, before calling out Paulo Costa (#2) after a fourth straight victory.
Continue reading “UFC Vegas 22: Disciplined Derek Brunson derails the Kevin Holland hype train”
Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet
After blasting uncrowned champion Dominick Reyes to bits in September, Jan Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) makes the first defence of his light-heavyweight strap against an undefeated middleweight star in Israel Adesanya – going up a weight class and looking to make his own history this weekend. An underdog perhaps, Jan offers Izzy’s most dangerous challenge yet. Continue reading “Caution up ahead: Why Jan Blachowicz presents Israel Adesanya’s biggest test yet”
UFC 256: Figueiredo retains title with majority draw, after Charles Oliveira’s emphatic win
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Deiveson Figueiredo retained his flyweight title with a majority draw after an unforgettable five-round main event against relentless challenger Brandon Moreno (#1), after there were statement victories for lightweight contender Charles Oliveira and middleweight prospect Kevin Holland – who has now become the third modern UFC fighter with five wins in a calendar year. Continue reading “UFC 256: Figueiredo retains title with majority draw, after Charles Oliveira’s emphatic win”
Kevin Holland to replace injured Darren Till, faces Jack Hermansson on Dec. 5
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After an already busy 2020, middleweight prospect Kevin Holland is set to seize a golden opportunity against #4 ranked Jack Hermansson on short-notice after reports today emerged that Darren Till (#6) pulled out of their Dec. 5 main event matchup with an undisclosed injury. Continue reading “Kevin Holland to replace injured Darren Till, faces Jack Hermansson on Dec. 5”
UFC Vegas 12: Uriah Hall ends Anderson Silva’s illustrious Octagon swansong

#10 ranked middleweight Uriah Hall extended his win streak to three with a fourth-round TKO victory against future Hall of Famer Anderson Silva during the Brazilian’s final Octagon appearance. Earlier, there were wins for Kevin Holland and Greg Hardy before featherweight Bryce Mitchell (#15) retained his position with a dominant co-main event win over Andre Fili. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 12: Uriah Hall ends Anderson Silva’s illustrious Octagon swansong”
UFC Vegas 11: Colby Covington delivers R5 TKO win against Tyron Woodley
Although the co-main event finished unceremoniously, there was no questioning who emerged victorious in the headliner between #2 ranked welterweight Colby Covington and former champion Tyron Woodley. Covington – who challenged for the title last year – earned a R5 TKO win as the burning possibility of retirement has only intensified after an eventful main card. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 11: Colby Covington delivers R5 TKO win against Tyron Woodley”
UFC Vegas 6: Derrick Lewis makes history, after Chris Weidman’s welcome win
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#4 ranked heavyweight Derrick Lewis made UFC history with his second-round knockout against the evergreen Aleksei Oleinik, after Chris Weidman split opinion en route to his first victory in just over three years in the evening’s co-main event. Who else featured on an intriguing card from Vegas, seven days before UFC 252? Continue reading “UFC Vegas 6: Derrick Lewis makes history, after Chris Weidman’s welcome win”
UFC Vegas 5: Big wins for Derek Brunson, Jennifer Maia and Vicente Luque
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On an eight-fight card from Las Vegas, #8 ranked middleweight Derek Brunson earned an impressive TKO victory to end rising star Edmen Shahbazyan’s 11-0 unbeaten record. There were also big wins for Vicente Luque and Jennifer Maia – the latter earning herself a flyweight title shot against Valentina Shevchenko next. Continue reading “UFC Vegas 5: Big wins for Derek Brunson, Jennifer Maia and Vicente Luque”