Kevin Holland overcomes humiliating losing streak with ‘fun time’ performance at UFC London

Kevin Holland drops Gunnar Nelson early, 'hangs' on for a tough decision win at UFC London to snap losing streak.

Kevin Holland overcomes humiliating losing streak with ‘fun time’ performance at UFC London

Kevin Holland wins hard-fought decision vs. Gunnar Nelson (Source: X)

Kevin Holland makes it a point to sub in for fights, whenever, wherever. When Holland is winning scraps, its pure entertainment with how the American fighter does it. He even touted post-fight bonuses in 7/9 of his past outings. But it does not always go the Kevin Holland way; tonight, at the UFC London, he was aiming to get some of that winning momentum back. Holland went up against Gunnar Nelson.

Gunnar Nelson is polar opposite to Holland and his ability to fight often. After all, he only comes out almost once a year. Nelson had always been susceptible to hard blows on the entry, but that does not diminish how potent the BJJ practitioner is in all aspects. Holland sprung fast and advanced with leg kicks. While he opened up swinging within the range, Nelson soon took him down, but Holland recovered.

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‘Trailblazer’ was on a recent double slump; per FanDuel, he thus dropped to +104 underdog on the listings, and had a long way to work up. He was fresh from an injury TKO during the UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. PPV main card, and a submission loss at UFC 311. Hence, Holland gave it all, releasing a volley of ground-and-pound after dropping the rival.

Always tacky and full of life, UFC’s homegrown ‘Batman’ carried the pace and even reversed hard clinches all through three rounds. Holland defeated Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in quite a war in the return to UFC London. The fans are all here for it.

Fans react to Kevin Holland back in the win column

Kevin Holland went into UFC London saying he had no massive pressure to entertain; yet he did! It was some probable 10-8 Holland’s way in the opening frame. The American fighter always entertains with his scrappers, and UFC London was no different. During the beginning part of it, ‘Trailblazer’ even hung to the Icelandic opponent’s arms in a close clinch, only to take it back to striking with vicious ground-and-pounds.

Fans react to Kevin Holland winning at UFC London
Fans react to Kevin Holland winning at UFC London (Source: X)

Gunnar Nelson mildly recovered to answer back with a fenceside clinch. He yet again scored a TD after some three-minute effort. While he had his pounds of strikes, Holland resisted and answered. In R3, he cliched right off the bat and went 3/3 on TDs. Holland went punisher mode with strikes and closed knees. He even shook his clinches off and recovered guard proficiently.

Some action against the cage saw knees coming to the midframe of Gunnar Nelson, and the three-round war came to an end. Holland won the affair unanimously. Here are some top reactions from fans watching the stylistic 170-pound showdown:

A prominent reaction (@channe1z3r0) aptly wrote “Never know what you’ll get when Holland fights. Always a fun time.” Many others stated that Holland should fight at 170 pounds despite saying otherwise. Others have stated he touts a split-decision affair with now-title contender Jack Della Maddalena. That should state a lot about his skill ceiling at welterweight. All in all, it’s a good day for Holland.

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