The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate dismissed two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Fighting World Championships gold medalist Ronaldo Souza with punches in the first round of their UFC 256 middleweight showcase on Dec. 12, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Souza succumbed to blows 1:45 into Round 1.
Holland remained calm under duress after being taken down by the former Strikeforce champion. He initially threatened Souza with a triangle and elbows from his back, returned to an upright position and made a pass at a guillotine choke. After relinquishing his grip on the Brazilian’s neck, Holland lured him into a kneeling position and unleashed a series of right hands—first from his back, then while seated—that left “Jacare” dazed and defenseless against the cage. Sensing the end was near, he continued to fire punches as he made his way back to his feet and battered Souza until he was bent over backwards and unconscious.
As Holland moves ever closer to his forthcoming clash with Mike Malott in the UFC Fight Night 262 co-headliner this Saturday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, his stoppage of Souza remains as one of his best knockouts. Four more to consider:
Kevin Holland vs. Anthony Hernandez
UFC on ESPN 8May 16, 2020 | Jacksonville, Florida
Holland authored the second sub-minute finish of his career when he dispatched “Fluffy” with knees and punches in the first round of their brief but eventful middleweight prelim at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Referee Michael Cardoso waved it off just 39 seconds into Round 1. Operating in the shadows of the Alistair Overeem-Walt Harris main event, Holland overwhelmed the Californian with aggression and technique. He introduced himself with a thudding one-two, along with a jab, leg kick and front kick to the body. Holland landed two knees at close range—one to the body, another to the head—that dropped his counterpart to all fours. Hernandez, who has since emerged as a legitimate title contender at 185 pounds, was in no condition to defend against the onslaught of punches that came next.
Kevin Holland vs. Joaquin Buckley
UFC Fight Night 174Aug. 8, 2020 | Las Vegas
Holland cut down the Bellator MMA veteran with a chopping right hand in the third round of their undercard encounter at the UFC Apex. Unsuccessful in his Octagon debut, Buckley bowed out 32 seconds into Round 3. Holland weathered a continuous stream of power punches, many of them to the body, and dragged the UFC rookie into deeper water. He floored Buckley in the first round, worked behind an effective jab in the second and clocked out in the third. There, Holland caught his opponent leaning and uncorked a devastating right hand that put him on the canvas, sent his mouthpiece flying and prompted referee Mark Smith to intervene.
Kevin Holland vs. Alex Oliveira
UFC 272March 5, 2022 | Las Vegas
Holland registered his first win in well over a year when he turned away the Brazilian with a burst of elbows in the second round of their welterweight feature at T-Mobile Arena. The end came 38 seconds into Round 2. Oliveira started well enough, as he battered the American with kicks, executed a pair of takedowns and stung him with a right hand during an explosive exchange in which both men were staggered. “Cowboy” later advanced to Holland’s back and flirted with a rear-naked choke, though his efforts proved fruitless. Momentum shifted quickly in the middle stanza. There, Holland decked the Tata Fight Team rep with a lighting striking of a right hand, then pounced with punches and hammerfists before turning to elbows to close it out.
Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
UFC 287April 8, 2023 | Miami
Holland punched out the dangerous American Top Team mainstay in the third round of their welterweight attraction at the Kaseya Center. Ponzinibbio packed his bags 3:16 into Round 3. Holland called upon three-inch height and eight-inch reach advantages, as he outstruck “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil” Season 2 finalist across the first 10 minutes and into the third period. There, he answered a kick from Ponzinibbio with a beautiful right hand on the counter and followed it with a concussive left hook on the button. The Argentinian collapsed face first to the canvas, where he was met with one final shot to the head before referee Dan Miragliotta could arrive on the scene. Holland has not stopped an opponent with strikes since.