Video: Kevin Holland Gets Confused About Opponent Just 4 Days Away from UFC Vancouver

Kevin Holland reveals confusion between Mike Malott and Jake Matthews ahead of upcoming UFC Vancouver bout.

Video: Kevin Holland Gets Confused About Opponent Just 4 Days Away from UFC Vancouver

Kevin Holland is confused ahead of his matchup at UFC Vancouver (via Yahoo Sports, X)

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Few fighters in the UFC bring as much unpredictability and humor to the Octagon as Kevin Holland. Known for his sharp wit and constant chatter mid-fight, Holland has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most entertaining personalities both for his skills and his spontaneous remarks. Ahead of his latest matchup against Mike Malott, Holland found himself in a situation that perfectly fit his quirky brand.

Throughout his career, Holland has leaned into his eccentric nature, often lightening the mood at weigh-ins, press conferences, and even during fights. While he does not have the best Octagon record, his ability to find humor in serious situations has made him one of the most relatable and charismatic figures in mixed martial arts.

Holland is set to fight Malott, a rising welterweight contender, at UFC Vancouver on October 18th at the Rogers Arena. The ‘Trailblazer’ is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC 318 and is looking to get back in the win column. However, Holland recently revealed that he had confused his opponent for Australian welterweight Jake Matthews in an interview just four days before the fight.

I thought I was fighting Jake Matthews, I thought Malott was his nickname. I really thought they were the same guy I’m not gonna lie to you.

Kevin Holland via FULL SEND MMA

The hilarious mix-up comes as both fighters have been active in the welterweight division. Matthews last fought on September 27, 2025, where he faced welterweight gatekeeper Neil Magny and lost by third-round submission. Meanwhile, Malott scored a second-round knockout win over Charles Radtke at UFC 315. For a fighter who’s built a career out of spontaneity, this kind of confusion only added to his charm.

In 2025 alone, Holland has already taken on multiple opponents, and his upcoming bout with Malott will mark his fifth fight of the year. The ever-busy ‘Trailblazer’ began his campaign with a setback against Reinier de Ridder in January but bounced back two months later with a dominant decision over Gunnar Nelson. He followed that momentum by submitting Vicente Luque with a slick Anaconda choke in June.

Kevin Holland has remained one of the UFC’s most entertaining fighters, from his quirky comments during his bout against Thiago Santos to his mid-fight trash talk against Joaquin Buckley. The Texas native has produced some of the most memorable moments in recent years. The mix-up between Jake Matthews and Mike Malott ultimately adds another colorful chapter to his already unpredictable career.

Kevin Holland reveals the two fights he shouldn’t have lost

Kevin Holland has never shied away from speaking his mind, and his competitive spirit remains as fiery as ever. Following a busy 2025 campaign, he recently reflected on some of the fights that still bother him, particularly his losses to Derek Brunson and Daniel Rodriguez. Both bouts came during pivotal points in his career, representing missed opportunities against opponents he felt he should have beaten.

Kevin Holland's disputed losses
Kevin Holland’s disputed losses (via MMA FIghting)

The loss to Brunson dates back to 2021, during Holland’s run at middleweight, when his grappling deficiencies were exposed in a unanimous decision defeat. Four years later, his frustration resurfaced after a close decision loss to Rodriguez in July 2025. Despite an active year filled with strong performances, Holland recently spoke about how those two fights stand out as ones that slipped through.

There’s two people I shouldn’t have lost to and that’s Derek Brunson and D-Rod. One’s a s****y striker who gets it done and one’s a s****y grappler who gets it done.

Kevin Holland via FULL SEND MMA

Holland’s loss to Brunson remains a disputed outcome among fans and analysts alike. Many, including UFC legend Daniel Cormier, questioned whether the result might have been different if Holland had focused solely on the fight rather than engaging in constant commentary and trash talk throughout the bout. The debate underscored both Kevin Holland’s style and the margins that defined competition.

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