This upcoming Saturday on a UFC Fight Night Halloween treat, us fans are fortunate enough to watch Anderson Silva’s final fight — potentially. The middleweight bout with Uriah Hall is everyone’s “if only a few years ago” dream match, but for Hall, this is master versus apprentice and one step closer in his pursuit of the belt. However, another showdown that everyone should be looking out for is that between Kevin Holland (19-5) and Charlie Ontiveros (11-6). Initially scheduled to fight Makhmud Muradov, Holland prepares to fight Ontiveros in his UFC debut.
Kevin “Trailblazer” Holland is one that everyone should already have their eye on by now. Having already won three fights this year, and proven himself worthy of a ranked opponent, Holland is quietly putting together a very solid case. With barking contests between himself and UFC poster child, Khamzat Chimaev, Kevin Holland has made sure that Dana White knows he is always wanting a fight. As of a few weeks ago, Holland wasn’t entirely sure what his next move was going to be. Essentially trying to fight everyone and anyone, a few names tossed around were the previously mentioned Chimaev, Drucis Du Plessis, and Holland himself challenging T10 fighters.
There should already be a strong following behind Holland, as he has gained even more recognition over the past few weeks. Joaquin Buckley’s likely KO of the year on Impa Kasanganay at UFC Fight Island 5 went viral within moments, and shocked everyone watching. Buckley’s knockout got everyone searching his name, and everyone came to find out that none other than Kevin Holland knocked him out back in August with a straight right. The scary thing about Holland is that when he fights, there is no real sense of fear or being overmatched. With him, its all about the element of control and making sure he is the aggressor — and is able to make the first move, and dictate the fight.
While in Holland’s last fight against Darren Stewart, he got the win via decision, he didn’t feel good about it. In his post fight interview, he said he’d be happy to run it back with him and that the win didn’t feel convincing. The possibility of a Stewart fight could be on the table going forward, especially if Holland ends up taking care of business Saturday. With that, there’s also a very real chance Holland will finally get bumped into the T15 rankings assuming he comes out on top. Having already notched three wins in 2020 — KO over Hernandez (05/16), KO over Buckley (08/08), DEC over Stewart (09/19), he looks to extend it to an impressive four wins this year. IF he is to fight again, the chances at having FIVE wins in a calendar year may sound too sweet to pass up for Holland.
Look for Holland to make a statement and throw his name in the running for a top fight next, after his bout with Ontiveros.