(Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
No one seems to be impressed with UFC welterweight/middleweight Kevin Holland these days.
A week after Holland embarrassed himself as a guest on the Jaxxon Podcast by disrespecting UFC legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and subsequently losing to Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311, Holland’s peers haven’t stopped slamming him for his limited skills and approach.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker discussed Holland’s loss to RDR on his MMArcade podcast.
“He’s so average,” Whittaker said. “What do you want me to say, dude? Like he just, time and time again, the same thing keeps happening. The same thing; I don’t know what else I can say.”
Holland has lost his last two fights, four of his last five, and six of his last nine. Without question, the 32-year-old is in a rough patch. It appears there’s a very simple game plan to beat Holland at middleweight, and that’s to take him down and overpower him with wrestling.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 18: Reinier de Ridder of the Netherlands reacts after his victory by ... [+]
That’s exactly what RDR did when he made very quick work of Holland in the first round of their clash at UFC 311. RDR wasn’t threatened at any point during the fight. Similarly, Roman Dolidze took Holland down and caused a rib injury that forced the latter to quit on his stool.
The best weight class for Holland appears to be welterweight, but it seems he doesn’t want to cut weight and prefers to fight at 185 pounds. Unfortunately, he just doesn’t appear to be strong or skilled enough to deal with the best fighters in that division.
Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw was especially critical of Holland and his approach. During the UFC 311 recap episode of the Jaxxon Podcast, Dillashaw didn’t hold back his criticism of Holland.
“He’s entertaining and he’s fun,” Dillashaw said. “I heard him in here talking when he was saying he doesn’t care about being champion. ‘There’s too much politics.’ I’m like, alright dude, that’s just an excuse because you’ll never be a champion. He’ll never be a champion, and I promise you that.”
Dillashaw wasn’t done. He went in on the holes in Holland’s ground game and his questionable work ethic and commitment.
“He sat here and said that he doesn’t give a s###,” Dillashaw added. “Are you going to be a champion if you don’t care? No. He’s talking about bringing training partners in and going home and smoking weed. Just sitting here and listening to him talk, he doesn’t have the mindset for it, he’s just happy being on TV. I think it’s too much work for him.”
We’ll see if Holland is able to rebound in his next fight. If he doesn’t get a win soon, he’ll find himself looking for another promotion. UFC President Dana White likes Holland, but probably not enough to allow him to stay on the roster if this losing streak continues much longer.
