Kevin Holland, aka ‘Trailblazer’, has been blazing through the UFC ever since he entered back in 2018. If there was a money bonus for the most active fighter on the roster, he would probably win, albeit with a turbulent resume. 25 fights in a span of 7 years. Jon Jones has fought less number of bouts in twice that time. It’s quite an incredible feat, even if has been on a mixed run lately. The Texas native once said that championships don’t appeal to him. But even so, he fancies his chances against the current welterweight champion? But the middleweight champion? Well, that might be more than a tough ask for even someone like Holland.
While appearing on the Overdogs Podcast, he was asked if Belal Muhammad would be easier for him or the middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. ‘Trailblazer’ had a pretty interesting answer as he always does. He believes he can take on ‘Remember the Name’. But ‘Stillknocks’? Not so much.
“Easier fight—I have to say honestly, probably Belal,” Holland said on the OverDogs Podcast. “People can say what they want to say about Du Plessis, his style is ugly, his style is this, his style is that. He is a gritty motherf*ker to fight, and it doesn’t matter what you’re doing that night, you’re going to have to deal with that grit. I like grit, so I’m fine with that. Belal, I honestly believe I shut down the takedown. Belal gets knocked the f*ck out.”
And these comments were made before his fight against Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311, and unfortunately, he lost that fight. But the 27-13-0 star redeemed himself at UFC Fight Night 255 by defeating Nelson, confidently putting his grappling (or anti-grappling) skills to good use. “Everybody says I can’t grapple. I can grapple pretty good as long as the guy isn’t 30 or 40 pounds bigger than me,” he said after the fight against the submission specialist. But now that he has won a fight, what is his plan since he shuffles between two weight classes?
Kevin Holland announced his plans to the media
After his recent win, a reporter asked him if he would choose a particular division or continue to shuffle between welterweight and middleweight like he always has. He laughed and said, “The amount of money I make these days, I could slow down. But the amount of money I spend these days? I stay active”. ‘Trailblazer’ has a reported respectable net worth of $1 million. It’s a good thing that he’s an exciting enough fighter who puts his money where his mouth is, and according to Dana White, he’s got a pretty “big mouth.”
Meanwhile, he also bagged $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He has had 25 professional UFC bouts so far and, according to MMA salaries, Holland’s highest payment ranges from $100,000 and $300,000. He’s probably the most exciting fighter to not have competed for a championship despite having 25 promotional bouts under his belt.
Will we ever see him compete for a world title? In his own words, unlikely. But this is the UFC, and if someone like Renato Moicano can get called up at the last moment for a championship bout, so can Kevin Holland. It just remains to be seen when and where that opportunity will present itself to him. What do you think? Will he be able to take on either Belal Muhammad or Dricus Du Plessis if he ends up facing either of them? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
The post “He’s a Gritty M*****f***er” – Kevin Holland Ducks Potential Dricus Du Plessis Fight For ‘Easier’ Path to Win a UFC Title appeared first on EssentiallySports.
