Kevin Holland had a stellar 2020 with five wins in a calendar year. He became the first middleweight to achieve this incredible feat. His stunning run allowed him to headline his first UFC card, and the UFC booked him to fight Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 22.
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Brunson is a veteran and has been in the top 10 at 185-pounds since 2016. Since then he has fought the best of the best at middleweight and has more often than not come out on top.
A win for either man would move them one step closer to a title shot as Holland and Brunson were on a five and three-fight win streak, respectively. Derek Brunson started off the fight well and was able to control most of the first round with his wrestling. In the second round, Holland landed some bombs and had Brunson hurt a few times. However, Brunson came back stronger with a few takedowns and controlled the rest of the second round.
The rest of the fight was the same as Brunson used his wrestling to dominate ‘Trailblazer’. He secured an impressive unanimous decision win over the rising prospect.
Read: All you need to know about Derek Brunson
Twitter reacts as Derek Brunson dominates Kevin Holland to secure a win
Mallory Martin hoped and Kevin Holland delivered as he entertained the fans with his antics.
I’m excited for this main event!! Hope Holland says something funny lol #UFCVegas22
— Mallory Martin (@MalloryyMartin) March 21, 2021
Jamahal Hill tweeted in excitement for the main event.
It's time let's go main event 🔥🔥🔥 #UFCVegas22
— Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill (@JamahalH) March 21, 2021
Bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling, tweeted appreciating Kevin Holland.
Holland is a whole vibe 😂 #UFCVegas22
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 21, 2021
Middleweight fighter, Ian Heinisch, tweeted in support of Derek Brunson.
Let’s go @DerekBrunson #UFCVegas22
— Ian Heinisch (@ianheinischmma) March 21, 2021
Rob Tatum scored the first round to Derek Brunson.
10-9 Brunson. Got top position from a slip, but took advantage. #UFCVegas22
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatum303) March 21, 2021
Ryan Frederick also scored the first round for Derek Brunson.
10-9 Brunson in the first #UFCVegas22
— Ryan Frederick (@ryanjfrederick) March 21, 2021
In between rounds, Kevin Holland turned to Khabib Nurmagomedov for wrestling advice.
Leave it to @Trailblaze2top to ask @TeamKhabib for wrestling advice 😭 #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/EtVCJiBH3s
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 21, 2021
Rob Tatum favored Brunson after three rounds of fighting.
Marc Raimondi shared a hilarious exchange between Holland and Brunson.
Holland from the bottom: “Why are you holding my mouth like you don’t want me to talk?” #UFCVegas22
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 21, 2021
Brett Okamoto agreed with Michael Bisping as both men felt Kevin Holland took the fight too lightly and did not show any urgency.
Bisping calling this fight 100% correct. Take nothing from Derek Brunson. He's fighting the right fight. But Kevin Holland, this is HIS potential breakout tonight, and his performance is coming up short through four rounds. Let's see what happens in the fifth.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 21, 2021
Kevin Holland landed a takedown in round five and could not contain his excitement.
Holland took Brunson down with a trip and screamed “let’s goooo!!!” when he landed the takedown. It is the fifth round. #UFCVegas22
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 21, 2021
Palatnikov commented on Brunson as a fighter.
Brunson is such a gritty guy!! His wrestling was on point tonight! #UFCVegas22
— Sasha Palatnikov (@PalatnikovMMA) March 21, 2021
What did you make of the fight tonight? Do you think Kevin Holland was playing around too much? Let us know in the comments below!