UFC middleweight Kevin Holland has once again managed to keep his 2020 title campaign aflame with another statement win. Holland slammed newcomer and late replacement fighter Charlie Ontiveros to earn the verbal submission win. Referee Mark Smith was quick to jump in on the action after ‘The Trailblazer’ dunked Ontiveros on his neck.
4️⃣ Fights and 4️⃣ Wins in 2️⃣ 0️⃣ 2️⃣ 0️⃣ for Kevin Holland!@Trailblaze2top scores the first round finish! 👏#UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/VxHxxcnj9D
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 31, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The commentators and select audience members in attendance were confused as to what transpired in the cage. Although there were initial rumblings of a choke submission, better camera angles showed otherwise. Kevin Holland has once more found a way to impress fans and has certainly put the middleweight division on notice.
UFC middleweights: Kevin Holland vs Charlie Ontiveros
‘The Trailblazer’ has become the first UFC fighter to reach four wins in 2020. Lightweight Bobby Green who was first up on the card was unable to reach this milestone. Only two other middleweights in Gegard Mousasi and champion Israel Adesanya managed to replicate this feat back in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Kevin has had a fruitful year thus far and has his stock has begun to skyrocket in the 185-pound division. Following his win, Holland had warring words for the undisputed champion in Israel Adesanya who was sitting cage side. He may soon be in line to face ‘The Last Stylebender’ should he continue his trajectory up the ranks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Charlie Ontiveros stepped in on extremely short notice to replace Makhmud Muradov. The latter didn’t show up to the virtual media day, and it was revealed that he wasn’t fighting due to undisclosed reasons. Ontiveros wasn’t able to capitalize on the main card opportunity and instead left the cage on a stretcher.
Se llevan a Charlie Ontiveros en camilla, puede mover todas sus extremidades, pero va inmovilizado por precaución al hospital. Gritó por el dolor en el cuello y el referí decidió parar la pelea.
Pocas veces he visto así de nervioso a Dana White con una lesión. #UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/AR9CaJwz8V
— C. Contreras Legaspi (@CCLegaspi) November 1, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
UFC President Dana White said that Charlie had hurt his neck on his way down and safety precautions are paramount to the UFC.
Kevin Holland will have his sights set on securing a named opponent in his next UFC outings. The middleweight division is a shark tank, and earning wins over quality opponents will be consequential going forward. There is no doubt however that he has put himself on the radar of fans and certainly the long-time UFC boss as well.
