Kevin Holland is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He turned professional in 2015 and has also fought in Bellator MMA, King of the Cage, and Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of April 2, 2024, he is ranked #15 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
November 5, 1992: Kevin Holland is Born
Kevin Holland was born on November 5, 1992.
2015: Kevin Holland's Professional MMA Debut
Kevin Holland began his professional MMA career in 2015 after amassing a 5-0 record as an amateur fighter. He competed in organizations such as Xtreme Knockout, Legacy Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, and Legacy Fighting Alliance, achieving a record of 12-3 before joining the UFC.
2015: Kevin Holland's Professional MMA Debut
Kevin Holland began his professional MMA career in 2015 after amassing a 5-0 record as an amateur fighter. He competed in organizations such as Xtreme Knockout, Legacy Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, and Legacy Fighting Alliance, achieving a record of 12-3 before joining the UFC.
October 2017: Last Fight in Welterweight Division
Kevin Holland's last fight in the welterweight division was in October 2017, before his return in March 2022.
June 12, 2018: Dana White's Contender Series Appearance
Kevin Holland participated in Dana White's Contender Series 9 on June 12, 2018, where he faced Will Santiago, securing a unanimous decision victory. Although he won, he wasn't immediately offered a UFC contract but was given an opportunity to face Thiago Santos at UFC 227.
August 4, 2018: UFC Debut
On August 4, 2018, Kevin Holland made his UFC debut at UFC 227, facing Thiago Santos. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
November 24, 2018: Victory over John Phillips
Kevin Holland fought John Phillips at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 on November 24, 2018, winning the fight via submission with a rear-naked choke in the third round.
March 30, 2019: Split Decision Victory Against Gerald Meerschaert
Kevin Holland won a split decision victory against Gerald Meerschaert at UFC on ESPN 2 on March 30, 2019.
June 22, 2019: Unanimous Decision Victory Against Alessio Di Chirico
Kevin Holland secured a unanimous decision victory against Alessio Di Chirico on June 22, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 154.
October 18, 2019: Loss to Brendan Allen
Kevin Holland faced Brendan Allen at UFC on ESPN 6 on October 18, 2019, and lost the fight by submission in the second round.
November 16, 2019: Scheduled Bout with Antônio Arroyo Cancelled
Kevin Holland was initially scheduled to fight newcomer Antônio Arroyo at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré on November 16, 2019, however, this fight was canceled by UFC officials in favor of a matchup against Brendan Allen on October 18, 2019.
2019: Marriage to Charlese
Kevin Holland married his wife, Charlese, in 2019.
March 21, 2020: Postponed Bout with Jack Marshman
Kevin Holland's scheduled fight with Jack Marshman on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards was postponed.
May 16, 2020: First Round TKO Victory Against Anthony Hernandez
Kevin Holland faced Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris on May 16, 2020, winning the fight by technical knockout in the first round.
May 30, 2020: Withdrawal From Bout with Daniel Rodriguez Due to Injury
Kevin Holland was scheduled to fight Daniel Rodriguez on May 30, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns, but was forced to withdraw on May 26, 2020, due to an injury. Gabriel Green replaced him.
August 1, 2020: Cancelled Bout with Trevin Giles
Kevin Holland was expected to fight Trevin Giles on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. However, the fight was canceled as Giles fainted before the walkout.
August 8, 2020: Technical Knockout Victory Against Joaquin Buckley
Kevin Holland fought newcomer Joaquin Buckley on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174, securing a technical knockout victory in the third round. This victory earned him the Performance of the Night award.
September 19, 2020: Split Decision Victory Against Darren Stewart
Kevin Holland won a split decision victory against Darren Stewart on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178.
October 31, 2020: First Round TKO Victory Against Charlie Ontiveros
Kevin Holland faced Charlie Ontiveros at UFC Fight Night 181 on October 31, 2020. He won the fight in the first round as Ontiveros verbally submitted due to a neck injury caused by a slam. This victory earned Holland the Performance Fight of the Night award.
December 12, 2020: First Round Knockout Victory Against Ronaldo Souza
Kevin Holland faced Ronaldo Souza on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256, securing a knockout victory in the first round. This win tied the record for most UFC wins in a calendar year (5) and earned him the Performance of the Night award.
March 20, 2021: Loss to Derek Brunson
Kevin Holland fought Derek Brunson on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21 and lost the fight by unanimous decision.
April 10, 2021: Loss to Marvin Vettori
Kevin Holland fought Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2 on April 10, 2021, as a replacement for the injured Darren Till. Despite briefly hurting Vettori with punches, Holland was dominated on the ground for most of the fight and lost by unanimous decision. This fight marked his second main event in three weeks, tying the record for the shortest turnaround between two main events. Following this fight, Holland signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.
October 2, 2021: No Contest Against Kyle Daukaus
Kevin Holland's fight against Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night 193 on October 2, 2021, resulted in a no contest due to an accidental clash of heads. Holland was briefly knocked unconscious from the clash, and although he continued to fight, he was submitted by Daukaus via rear-naked choke. Referee Dan Miragliotta reviewed the replay and determined that the head clash directly led to the submission, resulting in the no contest declaration.
October 2021: Stopped Alleged Carjacker
In October 2021, Kevin Holland intervened in an attempted carjacking in his neighborhood. Reports indicate that he pursued the alleged carjacker, apprehending him until law enforcement arrived.
November 13, 2021: Withdrawal From Rematch With Kyle Daukaus Due to Injury
Kevin Holland withdrew from his scheduled rematch with Kyle Daukaus on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197 due to an injury.
March 5, 2022: Return to Welterweight and TKO Victory Against Alex Oliveira
Kevin Holland returned to the welterweight division for the first time since October 2017 on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272, where he fought Alex Oliveira, winning by technical knockout in the second round. This win secured him the Performance of the Night award.
March 2022: Intervention in Houston Restaurant Shooting
In March 2022, Kevin Holland and his training partner took action during a shooting incident at a Houston, Texas restaurant. Upon hearing a gunshot, they observed a man with a firearm engaged in a struggle with a member of the public. After disarming the shooter, Holland reportedly subdued the individual using a rear naked choke.
May 2022: Rescue of Driver from Overturned Tractor-Trailer
In May 2022, Kevin Holland rescued a driver from an overturned tractor-trailer. Holland witnessed the driver lose control of the vehicle while merging onto the freeway, resulting in it sliding off an embankment and flipping over. Holland promptly exited his vehicle and extracted the driver from the truck, which was leaking fluid, raising concerns of a potential explosion.
June 18, 2022: Submission Victory Against Tim Means
Kevin Holland faced Tim Means at UFC on ESPN 37 on June 18, 2022, and won the fight by D'Arce choke submission in the second round. This victory earned him his fifth Performance of the Night award.
September 10, 2022: Loss to Khamzat Chimaev
Kevin Holland was initially scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez in a 180-pound catchweight bout on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. However, Khamzat Chimaev's weight miss for his welterweight main event bout with Nate Diaz forced the UFC to restructure the card. As a result, Holland was matched against Chimaev at 180 pounds in the co-headliner, scheduled for five rounds. Holland lost the fight by D’Arce choke submission in the first round.
December 3, 2022: Loss to Stephen Thompson
Kevin Holland fought Stephen Thompson on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42 and lost the fight by technical knockout after his corner stopped the fight following the fourth round. Though he lost, this fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. Holland sustained three broken metacarpals in his right hand during the bout, requiring subsequent surgery.
April 8, 2023: Knockout Victory Against Santiago Ponzinibbio
Kevin Holland won against Santiago Ponzinibbio by knockout in the third round on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287.
July 29, 2023: Victory over Michael Chiesa at UFC 291
On July 29, 2023, Kevin Holland won his fight against Michael Chiesa at UFC 291 via a D'arce choke submission in the first round. This victory earned Holland 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 lost his fight against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 227 by split decision.
March 9, 2024: Loss to Michael Page at UFC 299
Kevin Holland fought Michael Page at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024, losing the bout by unanimous decision.
April 2, 2024: #15 in the UFC Welterweight Rankings
As of April 2, 2024, Kevin Holland is ranked #15 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
June 1, 2024: Scheduled Fight Against Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302
Kevin Holland is scheduled to fight Michał Oleksiejczuk in a middleweight bout on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.