On the main card of UFC 272, we saw the welterweight debut of one of the fighters of the year from 2020. Former middleweight contender Kevin Holland (21-7, 1 NC) was dropping down to 170 to take on “Cowboy Alex Oliveira (22-11-1, 2 NC).
You almost couldn’t draw up a better year than Kevin Holland had in 2020 in the UFC. After losing to Brendan Allen in 2019, Holland went on a sensational run where he won five fights in 2020 with four knockouts.
However, after going winless in his last three fights, Holland needed a change of scenery. He decided that he wanted to drop to his natural weight class of 170 pounds and there was a cowboy waiting for him.
Alex Oliveira has been in there with a who’s who of the welterweight division. From Gilbert Burns to Donald Cerrone to Carlos Condit. Oliveira is battle tested and he needed a win badly at UFC 272. He came into tonight riding a three-fight losing streak.
UFC 272 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 272 welterweight contest kicks off with a touch of the gloves. Holland immediately opens with a couple of high kick attempts that miss. Nice low kick lands for Cowboy Oliveira. Holland rushes in and eats a counter from Cowboy. Low kick lands from Holland.
Holland goes for another low kick but Cowboy catches it and throws a combination. Lead left hand lands for Holland and Holland steps forward with a right hand behind it. Holland is reaching a bit here in the first couple of minutes. Big 1-2 lands for Oliveira and Oliveira lands a leg kick behind it.
However, Holland catches and tries to lock up a leg lock. However, Oliveira spins out of it. Huge shot from Holland wobbles Oliveira briefly and Holland pushes forward. Immediately, Oliveira rocks Holland back and both men are hurt here. They both back away to get their feet back under them.
Incredible action here in the first at UFC 272. Low kick from Holland as he circles on the outside. Oliveira spins Holland around with a leg kick of his own. Oblique kicks from Kevin Holland. Big low kick from Holland and Oliveira looked a little hurt by that kick.
Another big calf kick from Holland but Oliveira lands two big kicks of his own. Oliveira lands a takedown and gets Holland’s back in the final seconds. Big opening round for Oliveira at UFC 272.
Round 2
Entering the second at UFC 272 and Holland needs to be more technical and that is what his corner was calling for in between rounds. They touch gloves to start the second and here we go. Nice combination from Oliveira lands, but Holland lands a big right straight to push Oliveira back.
Oliveira is dropped by Holland and Holland is all over him here. Holland isn’t letting him recover and the referee steps in to stop the action. Big TKO win for Kevin Holland in his welterweight debut.
Kevin Holland def. Alex Oliveira by TKO – Round 2