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Kevin Holland Explains How He Got the W at UFC Fight Night 255
Kevin Holland is back in the win column — and in typical "Trailblazer" fashion, he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC) bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Gunnar Nelson (19-6-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 255, held at The O2 Arena in London. After a quick submission loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311, Holland rebounded with a composed and calculated performance against one of the UFC’s most respected grapplers.
So what was the key to victory?
According to Holland, it wasn’t just a matter of sharpening technique or adjusting strategy — it was about fighting at the right weight.
"Fighting a guy like Gunnar, you can say a lot of things, but you can't say he can't grapple," Holland told reporters post-fight. "He can grapple pretty damn good, and if you're asking people online, they would probably say that he's a better grappler than 'RDR.' If he's a better grappler than RDR, then size does play a difference in the game."
The size difference is what made the difference, Holland says. Having competed at both welterweight and middleweight, Holland has come to understand the tradeoffs: more success at 170 pounds, but more activity and flexibility at 185.
“If it's 170 pounds, then let's be smart and I'll possibly do a couple of months down the road then another one a couple of months down the road,” Holland explained. “If it's 170 pounds, probably only get two more in this year, three at the most. If it's 185 pounds, I can fight every f*cking weekend.”
And that’s the key — Holland thrives on staying busy. The man who fought five times in 2020 isn’t about to change up the game plan, especially with the financial demands of success mounting.
"The amount of money I make these days, I could definitely slow down. But the amount of money I spend these days, I stay active," he laughed.
Holland has already fought twice in 2025, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Whether he continues at welterweight or takes more bouts at middleweight to stay busy, one thing is clear: Kevin Holland is a fighter’s fighter, always ready to get back in the cage — as long as the paycheck matches the hustle.
Stay tuned to FIGHT.TV for more on Kevin Holland’s next move.