Career Timeline of Kevin Holland: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Holland made an impact.

Kevin Holland is an American professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Holland has been a professional fighter since 2015, with experience in Bellator MMA, King of the Cage, and Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of July 15, 2025, he is ranked #13 in the UFC welterweight division.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Began Professional Career

In 2015, Kevin Holland began his professional mixed martial arts career and has also competed for Bellator MMA, King of the Cage and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

June 12, 2018: Won on Dana White's Contender Series

On June 12, 2018, Kevin Holland appeared on Dana White's Contender Series 9 and won against Will Santiago via unanimous decision but was not immediately offered a UFC contract.

August 4, 2018: UFC Debut

On August 4, 2018, Kevin Holland made his UFC debut against Thiago Santos at UFC 227, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

November 24, 2018: Victory at UFC Fight Night

On November 24, 2018, Kevin Holland fought John Phillips at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2, winning by submission with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

March 30, 2019: Defeated Gerald Meerschaert at UFC on ESPN 2

On March 30, 2019, Kevin Holland faced Gerald Meerschaert at UFC on ESPN 2 and won the fight via split decision.

June 22, 2019: Defeated Alessio Di Chirico at UFC Fight Night 154

On June 22, 2019, Kevin Holland fought Alessio Di Chirico at UFC Fight Night 154, winning via unanimous decision.

October 18, 2019: Loss to Brendan Allen at UFC on ESPN 6

On October 18, 2019, Kevin Holland fought Brendan Allen at UFC on ESPN 6, losing the fight via submission in the second round.

May 16, 2020: Victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN

On May 16, 2020, Kevin Holland fought Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris, winning the bout via a first-round technical knockout.

August 8, 2020: Victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night 174

On August 8, 2020, Kevin Holland faced Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night 174 and won via technical knockout in the third round, earning the Performance of the Night award.

September 19, 2020: Defeated Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night 178

On September 19, 2020, Kevin Holland fought Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night 178, winning via split decision.

October 31, 2020: Victory Over Charlie Ontiveros at UFC Fight Night 181

On October 31, 2020, Kevin Holland faced Charlie Ontiveros at UFC Fight Night 181, winning in the first round after Ontiveros verbally submitted due to a neck injury, earning Holland a Performance Fight of the Night award.

December 12, 2020: Victory Over Ronaldo Souza at UFC 256

On December 12, 2020, Kevin Holland faced Ronaldo Souza at UFC 256 and won via knockout in the first round, tying the record for the most UFC wins in a calendar year (5) and earning the Performance of the Night award.

March 20, 2021: Loss to Derek Brunson at UFC on ESPN 21

On March 20, 2021, Kevin Holland faced Derek Brunson at UFC on ESPN 21, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

April 10, 2021: Loss to Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2

On April 10, 2021, Kevin Holland faced Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2, replacing an injured Darren Till, and lost by unanimous decision, subsequently signing a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

October 2, 2021: No Contest Declared Against Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night 193

On October 2, 2021, Kevin Holland fought Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night 193; the fight was declared a no contest after an accidental head clash led to Holland's submission via rear-naked choke.

March 5, 2022: Victory over Alex Oliveira at UFC 272

On March 5, 2022, Kevin Holland returned to the Welterweight division and faced Alex Oliveira at UFC 272, winning the fight via technical knockout in round two and earning the Performance of the Night award.

June 18, 2022: Victory Over Tim Means at UFC on ESPN 37

On June 18, 2022, Kevin Holland faced Tim Means at UFC on ESPN 37, winning the fight via D'Arce choke submission in round two, earning his fifth Performance of the Night award.

September 10, 2022: Loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279

On September 10, 2022, Kevin Holland faced Khamzat Chimaev at a 180-pound catchweight bout at UFC 279, losing via D’Arce choke submission in the first round after a card reshuffle due to Chimaev missing weight in his original match against Nate Diaz.

December 3, 2022: Loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC on ESPN 42

On December 3, 2022, Kevin Holland fought Stephen Thompson at UFC on ESPN 42, losing by technical knockout after his corner stopped the fight after the fourth round, earning him the Fight of the Night award; he suffered three broken metacarpals in his right hand during the fight, requiring surgery.

April 8, 2023: Victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 287

On April 8, 2023, Kevin Holland faced Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 287, winning the bout via knockout in the third round.

July 29, 2023: Victory over Michael Chiesa at UFC 291

On July 29, 2023, Kevin Holland faced Michael Chiesa at UFC 291 and won the fight via a D'Arce choke submission in round one, earning his sixth Performance of the Night bonus award.

September 16, 2023: Loss to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 227

On September 16, 2023, Kevin Holland faced Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 227, losing the fight via split decision.

March 9, 2024: Loss to Michael Page at UFC 299

On March 9, 2024, Kevin Holland faced Michael Page at UFC 299, losing the bout by unanimous decision.

June 1, 2024: Victory over Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302

On June 1, 2024, Kevin Holland faced Michał Oleksiejczuk in a middleweight bout at UFC 302, securing a victory by an armbar submission in the first round after being knocked down. He earned a Performance of the Night award.

October 5, 2024: Loss to Roman Dolidze at UFC 307

On October 5, 2024, Kevin Holland faced Roman Dolidze at UFC 307 after Chris Curtis withdrew. Holland lost the fight by technical knockout due to a corner stoppage resulting from a rib injury at the end of the first round.

January 18, 2025: Loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311

On January 18, 2025, Kevin Holland faced Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311, losing the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

March 22, 2025: Victory over Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight Night 255

On March 22, 2025, Kevin Holland faced Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight Night 255 and won the fight by 29-28 unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

June 7, 2025: Victory over Vicente Luque at UFC 316

On June 7, 2025, Kevin Holland faced Vicente Luque at UFC 316 and won the fight by a D'Arce choke submission in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.