Kevin Holland

Kevin Holland (born November 5, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional since 2015, Holland has also competed for Bellator MMA, King of the Cage and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

As of March 12, 2024, he is #14 in the UFC welterweight rankings.

Holland was born in Riverside, California, and raised mostly by his grandparents in Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario.

His mother has been in and out of jail, meanwhile his father has been incarcerated throughout Holland's life.

Holland attended Los Osos High School and Chaffey College.

Holland started martial arts training when he was 16 years old and was a fan of Georges St-Pierre.

He fell in love with the UFC after watching UFC 100, the first time he had watched the UFC, while visiting his father in Philadelphia.

After compiling an amateur record of 5–0, Holland started his professional MMA in 2015.

He fought under various promotions such as Xtreme Knockout, Legacy Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, Legacy Fighting Alliance and amassed a record of 12–3 prior to his signing by UFC.

Holland appeared on Dana White's Contender Series 9.

He faced Will Santiago and won the fight via unanimous decision on June 12, 2018.

Even with the win, Holland was not offered a contract on show but he was brought in to face Thiago Santos at UFC 227.

Holland made his UFC debut on August 4, 2018, against Thiago Santos at UFC 227.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Holland’s next fight came on November 24, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 against John Phillips.

He won the fight via a submission due to a rear-naked choke in round three.

Holland faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2.

He won the fight via split decision.

Holland faced Alessio Di Chirico on June 22, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 154.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Holland was expected to face promotional newcomer Antônio Arroyo on November 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré.

However, in late September, promotion officials elected to remove Holland from the bout in favor of a matchup against Brendan Allen on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.

He lost the fight via submission in round two.

Holland was expected to face Jack Marshman on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.

However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed.

Instead, Holland faced Anthony Hernandez on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.

He won the bout via a first round technical knockout.

Holland was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez on May 30, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns.

However, On May 26, Holland was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Rodriguez due to an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Gabriel Green.

Holland was expected to face Trevin Giles on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.

However, Giles fainted just prior to his walkout and the fight was canceled.

Holland faced promotional newcomer Joaquin Buckley on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174.

He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Holland faced Darren Stewart on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178.

He won the fight via split decision.

Holland was scheduled to face Makhmud Muradov, replacing injured Krzysztof Jotko, on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181.

In turn, Muradov was removed from the fight due to testing positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Charlie Ontiveros.