Welcome back to middleweight, Kevin Holland.
“Trailblazer” returns to where his UFC run began as he enters his second fight this year against Poland’s Michał Oleksiejczuk. Both men attempt to bounce back at UFC 302 after shutout losses at the hands of talented strikers Michael “Venom” Page and Michel Pereira at UFC 299 in March.
Holland’s move to middleweight comes after a 4-4 stint south of 185lbs that saw him face big names such as Khamzat Chimaev and Stephen “Wonder Boy” Thompson. The UFC veteran picked up some steam at the weight class in 2020 with a string of wins but was ultimately halted by top title contenders Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori.
Oleksiejczuk has exchanged wins and losses in recent fights, hardly ever needing the scorecards in his UFC tenure. Oleksiejczuk’s latest victory came over Chidi “Bang Bang” Njokuani in TKO fashion last August. This is Oleksiejczuk’s sixth UFC fight at middleweight after starting his UFC entry at light heavyweight.
Round 1:
The middleweights get going right away with an early flurry of strikes. Oleksiejczuk keeps moving forward as Holland sets up counter shots on the back foot. Oleksiejczuk knocks Holland down with a heavy left hand but it’s Holland who finds the finish as he snatches Oleksiejczuk’s arm from his back for an armbar submission. Oleksiejczuk refuses to tap and Holland, talking to Herb Dean, smiles as he straightens and ultimately snaps Oleksiejczuk’s arm in the following seconds. The referee steps in to save Oleksiejczuk even though the Polish fighter never officially gave up.
Official result: Kevin Holland defeats Michał Oleksiejczuk via submission (armbar) in round 1 (1:34)
Check out the highlights below:
KEVIN HOLLAND BREAKS MICHAL’S ARM IN HALF #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/2AyFSHuQiZ
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 2, 2024
Kevin Holland by first round submission!!!😤 #UFC302 | @Trailblaze2Top pic.twitter.com/exwJuGiwG2
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
Hell of a performance from @Trailblaze2Top tonight 💪
He earns the first round submission at #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/or2ut36bJf
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
