UPDATE: Kevin Holland has been scratched from the bout due to injury
If the fight between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez proceeds as planned this coming Saturday, Holland will be tied for the second fastest turnaround in UFC history. The Fort Worth native of course last fought on May 16 in Jacksonville. Kevin Holland would ultimately spend just 39 seconds in the octagon and was barely touched en-route to a TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez.
For the upcoming scrap with Rodriguez, Holland will be dropping down to welterweight on 14 days notice. Assuming there are no issues, Kevin Holland will be tied with Chris Leben and Dustin Pague for second fastest turnaround in UFC history. Chas Skelly holds the number one slot with a 13 day turnaround. This fight will also mark the quickest turnaround for a fighter since Greg Hardy clashed with Alexander Volkov on 21 days notice back in November.
Kevin Holland has certainly been eager to fight over these last few weeks. He offered to step in against Marvin Vetorri in place of Karl Roberson after the latter had to withdraw the day of the fight. Holland was angling for the fight with Vettori while the Hernandez bout was already booked.
According to Holland, there’s still interest in a bout with Vettori on his end. “Trail Blazer” recently spoke with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and discussed his plans for 170. “(If) something happens with the Vettori fight, I know I’m supposed to be committed to the 170 thing right now, I want Marvin Vettori. It’s probably not the smartest fight to take, but he was running his mouth. So for me, it would be the smartest to take if it comes around. I’ll take it” Holland said.
He also spoke about his desire to fight Mickey Gall at 170. “Wherever the wind blows, I would love to take the Mickey Gall fight, but Vettori? I kind of think he’s a dumb fighter. That would be a fun fight” he told MMA Fighting.
Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez will be the third fight from the top for this weekend’s upcoming event at the UFC Apex facility.