Derek Brunson Dominates Kevin Holland For Five Rounds At UFC Vegas 22
The UFC touches down in Las Vegas, Nevada once again tonight, where ranked middleweight talents Derek Brunson (No. 7) and Kevin Holland (No. 10) headline UFC Vegas 22, March 20, 2021.
Co-headlining the event was expected to be a lightweight bout between Gregor Gillespie and Brad Riddell, but a positive Covid-19 test cancelled that bout earlier today and it was replaced by welterweight talents Song Kenan and Max Griffin.
Derek Brunson versus Kevin Holland is a very important fight for the middleweight division, and to see where each of these talents are at in their respective careers.
Brunson has won his last three straight, finishing off formerly undefeated phenom Edmen Shahbazyan via TKO in round three of his last bout. That was a first for him too. Every time Brunson had finished someone prior, it was in the first round. All of his other wins that went past the first, went the distance.
Holland on the other hand had a better 2020 than anyone, going 5-0 throughout the year with four knockout finishes. The most recent of those came over former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jacare Souza, who has fought, and KO’d Brunson twice himself. That was a knockout of the year candidate, and winner by some outlets.
Does Brunson stop the hype train that is ‘The Trailblazer’, or does Holland continue his hot streak?
Continue reading to see how this epic middleweight main event went down:
Official Result: Derek Brunson def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Round 1
Holland comes out and takes the center once the fight begins, and lands a couple nice punches. He goes for a head kick however, slips, and ends up on his back.
The remainder of the round, which was about four minutes, was spent with Holland on his back.
Round 2
Holland hurts Brunson badly with a series of beautiful crosses to start round one. He gets too eager however and gets taken down for his troubles.
Holland is eventually able to make it back to his feet, but gets taken down again and ends round two, like round one, on his back.
Round 3
Brunson gets another early takedown, stays in Holland’s guard in and reigns down ground-and-pound for the entirety of the round. It appears to be a clear walk away victory for Brunson.
Round 4
Most of round four was the same as the third, but Holland is able to make his way back up with about one minute left.
Brunson tied up with him along the cage for the last minute however, and he wasn’t able to do anything.
Round 5
Holland is able to keep Brunson from taking him down, and actually secures an inside trip about two minutes in.
He remains on top for a good portion of the rest of the round, but gets reversed and ends up on his back again.
Holland is back to his feet and tries to land that one devastating shot before the final bell, but it’s too late.
