Kevin Holland Says Israel Adesanya Tried to Get ‘Aggressive’ With Him
Follow Us
Kevin Holland grabbed his fourth UFC win this year at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Hall. However, more than his performance, his back-and-forth with Israel Adesanya, after the win, made the headlines. Holland has now cleared that it was partly because the two had a history dating back to his own UFC debut.
‘Trailblazer’ literally slammed his way to victory over Charlie Ontiveros. Riding a hot streak right now, Holland will aim to become only the third fighter in UFC history to have five wins in a calendar year. His end goal will always remain a shot at the middleweight title. If he ever ends up fighting Israel Adesanya, the fight will be that much more interesting owing to the history between the two.
While talking to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Holland explained what prompted him to go after the divisional champ following his win.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“It was just bringing back flashbacks. When I was walking over there and I had my shirt off and stuff. Then I started thinking like how in L.A. he tried to treat me like a little kid, like a freshman on the block. Kinda felt that he was trying to punk me in a way,” Holland said.
“It was in L.A. when I was fighting Thiago Santos. They were doing media the same day that we were doing the mock weigh-ins. They were getting done with media and they were going up the stairs and we were going down the stairs. I said something like, ‘Yo that’s Izzy right there he ain’t that big’. He was like what the f–k you said?”
Kevin Holland isn’t pinning his hopes on a fight with Israel Adesanya
“He was trying to turn and get all aggressive and stuff. My coach was like hey chill out to him. James Vick was pushing me downstairs and was like bro you’re gonna get kicked out of the UFC before you even get in. Chill out,” Holland remembered about the incident from UFC 227.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Although a significant has passed time since that altercation took place, Holland hasn’t really forgotten it. He still wonders if Adesanya believes that he was able to get the better of him that night.
Trending
“This Is Just Sad at This Point” – MMA World Erupts as Alex Pereira Embarrasses Anthony Smith in Front of Thousands at UFC 301
May 05, 2024 05:04 PM EDT
Conor McGregor Put on Alert as “Massive” Charles Oliveira’s Physique Stuns Fans at UFC 301 Alongside Alex Pereira – “Moving Up to 170”
May 05, 2024 04:58 AM EDT
Insider Says Mike Tyson Is in the Same Situation as Conor McGregor – “Biggest Fear Is…”
May 04, 2024 08:10 PM EDT
Joe Rogan’s Guest Ends Debate on Ryan Garcia’s Drug Test – “Even if It Was Trace…”
May 05, 2024 07:43 PM EDT
Conor McGregor Breaks Silence as Fans Hand Reality Check After UFC 303 Teaser Released- “Gonna Be Like Rousey’s Comeback”
May 05, 2024 07:38 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“The more I sat at home and the more thought about it, I was like hey, I hope that he wouldn’t think he punked me. I don’t get punked. I hope he didn’t think that he punked me. Then when I saw him I was like I’m gonna say something about it. Then I was like I am probably tripping.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While there seems to be genuine beef between Holland and Adesanya, he isn’t pinning all his hopes on a fight with him. If Adesanya decides to go up in weight to fight Jon Jones, ‘Trail Blazer’ is more than happy to fight Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt instead.
“Say That To My Face!”- Israel Adesanya Says Kevin Holland Was Disrespectful