“Mad Respect for Kevin Holland”- Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik Break Down the Kevin Holland Controversial Decision

The co-main event between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs Walker came to an abrupt end despite Daukaus managing to choke Holland out. What appeared to be a submission win, began with an accidental headbutt that knocked Holland out cold. After Holland tapped, the officials ruled it a no-contest upon review.

Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik reacted to the incident. While Cormier is present on the Octagon side to call the event tonight, Anik is not at the UFC Apex to call the fights.

But, it seemed that everyone agreed that the officials were eventually on point to call the fight a no-contest, as the headbutt affected Holland massively.

Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik react to Kevin Holland vs Kyle Daukaus

Jon Anik explained the situation in detail and gave a blow-by-blow analysis in a series of tweets.

“Mad respect for Kevin Holland, who fought on after he appeared to be knocked out by a vicious clash of heads. Kyle Daukaus was smart to go all in for the finish/submission. NSAC just reviewed it, but the call stands. Wow,” Anik wrote.

“Seems as though b/c Kevin Holland fought back shortly after being ‘knocked out’ by the headbutt, the Daukaus win will stand. Sean Shelby talking to officials. Madness at the Apex right now. Glad I’m home eating PB&J,” Anik added further.

“Lot to be learned for fighters, coaches, and officials. Can’t penalize the guy for fighting back. No contest for me. But good on Daukaus for the IQ, submission ability,” Anik wrote.

“Wow. Upon review, it goes into the books as a no-contest. Daukaus looks kinda pissed. Hard to blame him, but I think this is prolly the right call. Glad it’s not my call. More Monday –> @AnikFlorianPod @kennyflorian,” Anik wrote.

“Fair point. And if they reach the stools, they certainly don’t look at the replay and stop the fight at that point. Lot to learn from…,” Anik added in response to a fan tweet.

“Curious to ask the NSAC as to whether or not the review official has the right to overturn the referee on his/her own or if they arrived at this decision collectively. And if so, who is that group? Replay seems awfully powerful tonight, even if you agree with the outcome,” wrote Anik.

Meanwhile, Daniel Cormier shared his point as well. In his tweet, aimed as a response to Kenny Florian, he wrote, “Flo fighters fight bro, we’re trained, we get hurt we fight. Unfortunately the blow that hurt was a unintentional clash of heads. Last week merab was knocked out but kept going. Difference is he got hit with legal shot. Kyle did what he was supposed to do and won but illegal.”

There is no doubt that it was a controversial moment. Hence, it will be interesting to see if the UFC looks to run back Holland vs Daukaus. What did you make of the events at the UFC Apex?