Every tattoo on Kevin Holland’s body seems to tell a tale, some about his past, and others about his purpose. The UFC welterweight, nicknamed ‘Trailblazer,’ has always been known for his explosive style and sharp wit, but his tattoos? They reveal another side of him, one that is personal, symbolic, and deeply rooted in the life he’s fought to build.

Born in Riverside, California, and raised between Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario, Holland’s path wasn’t easy. With his father behind bars and his mother in and out of jail, he found discipline and purpose through martial arts at just 16. Today, as he prepares to face Mike Malott on October 18 at UFC Vancouver, let’s take a look at the meaning behind his impressive collection of ink!

What Is the Significance of Kevin Holland’s Gorilla Tattoo?

Let’s start with one of his most striking pieces, the crowned gorilla on his right shoulder, bearing the name ‘Holland.’ It’s not just art; it’s armor. According to the fighter, the tattoo, which is the most powerful of them all, signifies dignity, compassion, strength, loyalty, and accountability.

For the left shoulder, he has a tattoo that looks eerily like Sean O’Malley with the fighter’s initials KP inscribed on the bottom right side. However, many have claimed that it is actually a tattoo of musician Jimi Hendrix. He also has the Roman numerals ‘MMXIII’ tattooed on the right side of his upper torso. As such, Kevin Holland’s upper body tattoos set the tone: they’re not just decoration; they’re declarations as we now shift our focus to other art on his body!

Understanding the Spiritual and Personal Meaning Behind His Other Tattoos

First, right below the right shoulder, on his bicep, he has a 9mm bullet tattoo. In a post-match interview in 2021, Kevin talked about the bullet tattoo and said, “Right after the fight, I went and got this bullet right here. It’s like the same bullet you see when you’re playing Mario and stuff like that, but it’s a 9mm shell. My favorite gun to shoot is a 9mm. [I] shot a 9mm a few times. Don’t do forensics.”

Holland had revealed that he got the tattoo to represent the power of his right arm and that the arm served as a sniper for him. He said, “I got that on my right arm because my right arm has been like a sniper all year long. It’s been a bomb, it’s been a bullet. It’s been everything that a lethal weapon needs to be. Been killing folks left and right. You look at most of my finishes, it came from my right hand. I never realized how right-handed I was until I noticed that. The bullet just signified what I’m going to do to these guys. If you know the game, you know that these right here go boom.”

Also, on his right arm is an intriguing design that is believed to symbolize RC Cola. Its design includes a crossbones tattoo with a dollar bag etched within it under an RC emblem. It is concluded with “Hustle 2 Ball,” written under it. Kevin Holland described another piece he got tattooed on his shin at that time and revealed, “And then I got my last name on my shin cause like I tell my coach all the time, I didn’t graduate from high school, so I can’t remember my name sometimes.”

How Do Kevin Holland’s Tattoos Reflect His Identity and Career Journey?

Every inked symbol on Holland’s skin feels like a chapter in an autobiography. On Kevin Holland’s right forearm, a number 24 tattoo can be seen. It refers to November 24, 2018, when he fought John Phillips. The breathtaking contest saw him almost reverse a rear-naked choke in the third round. On his left hand, near the bicep region, ‘Big Mouth’ has a tattoo that is an ode to his passion for ‘Jiu Jitsu.’ 

Holland holds a black belt in both Kung-Fu and high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Interestingly, former UFC staple, Travis Lutter, bestowed the black belt on him. Just below this tattoo is a campfire tattoo, with a smiling Halloween pumpkin burning in it.

On his right pec, the number ’92’ sits proudly next to an italicized ‘M’, a nod to his birth year, 1992. Just beneath it, a large Scorpio tattoo blazes across his chest, symbolizing his zodiac sign. Born on November 5, Holland embodies Scorpio traits perfectly: intense, loyal, and unflinchingly driven. 

On his left pec, a different message unfolds. The word “Trailblazer”, his fight moniker, sits above “EST. 2008”, a reminder of when his combat journey truly began. The placement feels intentional, resting close to his heart, almost like a promise to never lose sight of where he started.

From the bullet that marks his precision to the gorilla that crowns his pride, Kevin Holland’s tattoos map a journey that started in hardship and found glory inside the Octagon. And as he steps back into the cage at UFC Vancouver, one can’t help but wonder, will ‘The Trailblazer’ add another mark to his story soon?