Kevin “Trailblazer” Holland (25-11-3) is the epitome of anytime, anywhere and in this case, it is Saturday 1st June, at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. This time returning to his former 185lb Middleweight division to face off against Michal Oleksiejczuk. A career of highs and lows is Hollands but win or lose his personality combined with his fight style makes him unmissable. Kevin Holland is abnormally comfortable within an illuminated octagon. Nonchalantly gesticulating and taunting his way through a contest as if he wasn’t enclosed in a cage with a bad-intentioned-brawler. Coined ‘big-mouth’ by President Dana White for his in-fight trash talk, Holland is beloved for more than just his handiwork. He is a matchmaker’s dream never turning down a fight and consistently stepping up on short notice.
Standing 6’3” with an 81” reach Kevin Holland is a tricky puzzle. With an arsenal of snapping straight crosses, devastating clinch striking, looping right hooks and a crafty kicking game, human highlight reel Holland plans to bounce back from consecutive losses as he returns to middleweight. A black belt in both Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu summarises the “Trailblazer” style and record. Holland is versatile with 13 knockouts and 8 submissions on his record. On the feet, he has serious one-punch knockout power. On the ground, he has a variety of neck attacks. The problem lies between the two. A glaring limitation of “Trailblazer” is his wrestling. Holland has a deadly top game but has shown to be vulnerable from the bottom often getting stuck on his back. Luckily for Holland, opponent Oleksiejczuk is homogenous in his love for exchanging gloves.
Big Mouth’s Big Break
Kevin Holland’s ride in the UFC has been chaotic, but his skills make him a problem for anybody. Though often placed highly atop a talent-rich fight card Holland has yet to break into the title picture. Kevin was born to fight. Born in California he accredits his fight career to his troubled childhood. Holland found martial arts after being sent to juvenile hall for headbutting a security guard at school. After leaving juvenile hall he was put in a continuation school which would kickstart his trajectory from street fighter to prize fighter.
Training in Kung Fu up to his black belt gave him the skills to stand with the best. After a 5-0 amateur MMA record Holland went pro in 2015. Under the training of Travis Luter Holland went on to get his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Taking these skills to the top when he fought on Dana White’s Contender Series. Despite coming out victorious his trademark trash talk was unfavourable to Dana meaning he wouldn’t be offered a contract. Until the UFC were without an opponent for Middleweight Thiago Santos. Dana rang every contender series fighter and though most rejected, one combatant was not phased by the short turnaround. Kevin Holland stepped up. Although losing the decision to Santos he impressed the boss with his performance and earned himself a contract.
The Highs and Lows
It wasn’t until 2020 that Holland truly emerged as a force to be reckoned with. In 2020 Holland set a record for being the most active fighter that year with 5 fights and 5 wins. At this time, it seemed he was tearing his way to UFC gold, knocking out Jacare Souza and Joaquin Buckley along the way. However, his rise to the top was halted in back-to-back, gruelling 5 round wrestling sessions versus Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori.
Despite an obvious disadvantage in wrestling, Holland is adamant that he’s not going to change whether you love him or hate him. Weighing close to the 185 lb middleweight limit, he decided to endure the weight cut to make Welterweight and maximise his frame. His height and reach advantage are evident in the 170lb Welterweight division. Breezing past Alex Oliveira and Tim Means it seemed Holland had found his weight class. Until he prematurely announced his retirement after a short-notice catchweight loss to Khamzat Chimaev.
Like his short rest time between bouts, he was back out from retirement two months later to fight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson”. In this exciting striking affair, Holland suffered a 4th round TKO because of a broken hand. In this fight, the two agreed to simply strike and not grapple. Though the fans may have praised this his coaches and his record would not. Various opportunities arose to expose Thompson in the grappling but sticking to his word Holland welcomed the striker back to his feet and forte.
Since the Thompson loss, he is 2-2, with wins over Santiago Ponzinibio and Michael Chiesa. Losses to Jack Della Madalena and Michael Page. These last four bouts are indicative of the career of “Trailblazer”. Masses of potential, but just not quite enough to break into title contention.
Kevin Holland’s Keys to Victory
Accused of not taking his career seriously at times, Kevin Holland just wants to have fun and when Holland is having fun so are the fans. Kevin Holland would appear to be the more well-rounded fighter this weekend. Whilst equally a formidable puncher (13 knockouts) Michal Oleksiejczuk has just one submission victory to his name and 5 submission losses. Having only been knocked out once in his career, however, Holland must be prepared to go the distance. With neither likely to shoot for a takedown we’re in for a war.
Holland possesses astonishing power hurled from unusual angles. His hands pack a serious punch needing only a slight connection to finish his opposition prior. “Trailblazer” uses a diverse, unorthodox array of strikes. Mixing his lengthy boxing combinations with his draining body kicks Oleksiejczuk will want to be in close and trap Holland to the fence.
The main tool for Holland to utilise would be his physical attributes. A healthy 3-inch height advantage and 7-inch reach advantage are bound to cause Oleksiejczuk massive problems. Maintaining a good distance from Michal, Kevin should maximise his advantages by prodding with his straight punches and stabbing with his side oblique and body kicks. Oleksiejczuk has shown a tendency to walk through shots to land his own. Unlike previous losses to the dynamic Michael Page, Jack Della and Stephen Thompson, Oleksiejczuk will be there to be hit.
If Holland hurts Michal Oleksiejczuk to the body causing his head to drop, we may see Holland execute his favoured neck attacks (D’arce, Guillotine).
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
