UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland is ready to run back his controversial fight with Kyle Daukaus in a matter of weeks.
Kevin Holland doesn’t plan to waste any time getting ready for a potential rematch with Kyle Daukaus after their bout at UFC Vegas 38 came to an abrupt and controversial halt.
Just minutes into the fight, Holland, and Daukaus clashed heads with Holland dropping to the canvas. He was then somehow able to gather himself and work back up to the feet despite the headbutt, but Daukaus got his back and secured a choke.
During his UFC Vegas 38 post-fight press conference, Holland made his preference for what’s next for him clear.
“I think we should do it again before my 29th birthday,” Holland said. “If he waits until then, he’ll get knocked out. It’s in their court now. I want to run it back right now. If Johnny Walker got hurt and couldn’t go tonight, I would’ve moved up to 205 and fought [Thiago Santos]. I’m that guy.”
“The only reason he would take another fight is if he thinks the headbutt was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. I have respect for them but the fight game is the fight game. I don’t feel like it’s over.”
Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus was ruled a no-contest after the two fighters clashed heads before Daukaus secured a choke
Holland came into the bout needing a win after back-to-back disappointing losses to Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson. He was looking to show off his improved grappling after working with former UFC champion and wrestling expert Daniel Cormier in recent months, but fans ended up seeing a small sample size from both athletes.
An immediate rematch between Holland and Daukaus would make a lot of sense next, but it remains to be seen which direction the UFC will move when it comes to the rest of the middleweight division.