Kevin Holland just took on Tim Means in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs Emmett. The fight was not originally scheduled to be the main event. But the bout between Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon had to be cancelled which was the original co-main for the event. Hence, Kevin’s with Means bout was promoted to take its spot.
At a certain point in 2020, it seemed as if Kevin Holland was on the fast track to fighting the middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. But 2021 was not kind to the 28-year-old.
He lost to Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori in 2021 and Holland’s poor ground game was exposed. Kevin took on Kyle Daukaus to close out 2021 in hopes to turn his career around. But unfortunately, the bout ended in a ‘No-Contest.’
He ultimately moved down to welterweight in March this year as he went toe to toe with Alex Oliveira at UFC 272. In a wild fight that lasted two rounds, Kevin knocked Oliveira out in a brutal finish which earned him the ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus. Kevin was looking to build further momentum with a win against Tim Means.
This one will be fun 🍿
— UFC (@ufc) June 17, 2022
@MeansTim squares off against @Trailblaze2Top tomorrow!
[ #UFCAustin | Tomorrow |Main Card LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/th7PIPgVWE
Tim was a dangerous opponent and was capable of pulling off an upset. He defeated Mike Perry in a dominant fashion in 2020 and was on a 3-fight winning streak. So how did the bout go for the big mouth? Let’s find out.
Kevin Holland submits Tim Means in the second round
Kevin Holland looked spectacular in the fight against Tim Means. In the first round, he was a bit hasty in the first round. But he found his groove and remained calm whenever he was taken down. Kevin Holland was faster on the feet and much stronger in the Octagon. He hurt Means at the end of the first round.
The man looks good at welterweight! 👏#UFCAustin | @Trailblaze2Top pic.twitter.com/KQN2UIjIrC
— UFC (@ufc) June 19, 2022
He came out with vengeance in round 2 and put Tim down with a nasty bunch of shots. Holland then showed off a new wrinkle to his game as the Texas native went for D’Arce choke instead of trying to finish Means with strikes. After the victory, Daniel Cormier asked Kevin if he was surprised to get a submission win or not. In reply, Kevin Holland added,
“I think I can submit anybody in the world to be honest.”
“I guess Sean Brady really needs an opponent, so I’m down for that.” – Kevin Holland #UFCAustin
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) June 19, 2022
Following his second welterweight win in a row, Holland called out Sean Brady. Kevin said that he is open to the fight in August or September and continued the trend of picking up quick fights.