Outside Source
Ultimate Fighting Championship tweener Kevin Holland is opting to move back down to the weight he claims will make him more disciplined.
Per an initial report by social media user realkevink on Tuesday, Holland’s (26-13, 1 NC) relocation to 170 pounds will have him squaring off against jiu-jitsu ace Gunnar Nelson (19-5-1) at UFC London. The two will battle it out at the O2 Arena in London on March 22, with confirmation of the pairing coming on Thursday from multiple outlets. Per those outlets, the fighters have verbally agreed but the contracts have not been signed.
Holland competed four times in 2024, winning just once after getting dropped by Michal Oleksiejczuk and snaring a limb-snapping armbar. A decision loss to Michael Page, a corner stoppage defeat against Roman Dolidze and a quick rear-naked choke setback to Reinier de Ridder put the Texan’s back against the wall. As a pro, “Trailblazer” still presents a dangerous finish rate of 85%, with each of his last seven wins coming inside the distance.
This will be Nelson’s first walk to the cage in over two years, as he last competed at UFC 286 in March 2023. The Iceland-based athlete has only set foot in the Octagon twice since the Pandemic, albeit in wins against Takashi Sato and Bryan Barberena. A member of the roster since 2012, Nelson has fought just 15 times, celebrating victories over names like Omari Akhmedov, Alan Jouban and Alex Oliveira along the way. In comparison, Holland debuted in the UFC in 2018 and has 24 appearances under his belt.
UFC London goes down inside of the O2 Arena in London on March 22, with welterweights taking center stage as well as former champ Leon Edwards comes to blows with Jack Della Maddalena. The co-main attraction comes at 205 pounds as former beltholder Jan Blachowicz throws down with rising contender Carlos Ulberg. Other key pairings on the billing include Molly McCann vs. Istela Nunes at strawweight and Nathaniel Wood against Morgan Charriere in a featherweight contest.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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