At UFC Fight Night 255, Kevin Holland scored a much-needed win against Gunnar Nelson (unanimous decision). After all, he couldn’t afford yet another loss after previous ones to Reinier de Ridder and Roman Dolidze. “Everybody says I can’t grapple. I can grapple pretty good as long as the guy isn’t 30 or 40 pounds bigger than me,” he said after the fight against submission specialist Gunnar Nelson and this is pertinent, as his previous loss against de Ridder was through submission. Right now, ‘Trailblazer’ is basking in glory due to his latest victory, but what are his plans ahead?

You see, he has not committed himself to a particular weight class and has been fighting in both welterweight and middleweight. So in the post-fight press conference, a reporter asked the fighter if he would choose a division or continue in both with the thought of staying active. And the reporter wasn’t wrong here. It is only March, and the fighter has already fought twice this year. So what did Holland share? Well, he said:

“The amount of money I make these days, I could slow down. The amount of money I make these days, O could definitely slow down. But the amount of money I spend these days? I stay active,” Holland shared and laughed, as visible in the video shared by ‘TheMacLife’ on YouTube. He surely has nothing to worry about as his net worth (as of 2024) is estimated to be around $1 million.

Now, for someone who just pocketed a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, you’d think a little financial breathing room would be in order. But if Holland’s words are anything to go by, the man spends money faster than he lands punches. And just like that, fans took to the internet, not to talk about his win but to speculate if he was setting himself up for a financial TKO.

Kevin Holland doesn’t turn down fights. If the UFC had an attendance award, he’d have won it by now. Five fights in 2020? Insane. This was followed by three in 2021 and four in 2022. He has had 25 professional UFC bouts so far and, according to MMA salaries, Holland’s highest payday ranges anywhere between  $100K and $300K. But even with his busy schedule and UFC bonuses, some fans are wondering if Holland’s financial game plan is less about strategy and more about sheer survival. Here is what they said about him.

Is Kevin Holland a good fighter and a terrible financial planner?

Kevin Holland has never been one to turn down a fight. But even with his exciting performances and UFC bonuses, fans are starting to wonder if Holland is playing the long game or just playing with fire. “This guy needs to get some kind of retirement fund going cuz at this point he’s gonna end up homeless when he’s old lol,” one fan pointed out, highlighting the financial risks that come with his all-in approach after hearing Holland talk about finances.

“He’s gonna be one of those fighters struggling post-fight career,” another predicted, echoing the fate of many MMA veterans who didn’t plan for life after the cage. This list includes names like Mark Coleman and Diego Sanchez. But some fans were even more direct, “Basically what he’s saying is he isn’t financially stable and once he’s done fighting there will be no money left. Got it.”

While Holland is certainly a fan favorite, some believe his frequent appearances might not be enough to justify his place in the UFC forever. “Tired of watching this guy fight. He’s not going anywhere in the UFC, might as well give room to other fighters,” one comment read, suggesting that Holland’s reliance on high fight frequency isn’t a recipe for long-term success. But hey, he is currently 32. That signals he has some years left but might not be around for too long.

But for fans, it’s not just about how many fights Holland can squeeze in, it’s about what comes next. “Holland needs to invest in something so he can retire and keep making money,” one fan suggested. At this rate, it’s safe to assume that Holland will be back inside the Octagon sooner rather than later. But whether he’s fighting for a title shot or just keeping the lights on remains up for debate. Some hope he lands a gig within the UFC when his fighting days are over.

For now, ‘Trailblazer’ remains one of the most entertaining and unpredictable figures in the UFC. But as the fan discussed, there’s a growing concern. Without a solid financial plan, his legacy might end up being less about his thrilling fights and more about what happens when the fight checks stop rolling in. What do you think?