Kevin Holland has made his way out west to work with former two-division champion Daniel Cormier and the team at American Kickboxing Academy.
After a breakout year in 2020, Holland has gone 0-2 to start 2021, dropping unanimous decisions to Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori. With Holland being repeatedly taken down and controlled throughout his 50 minutes of octagon time in the two main event matchups, it seems as if this is just what the doctor ordered.
Cormier released a video via his Instagram on Monday night confirming they are working together in San Jose, Calif.
Holland’s manager Oren Hodak of KOreps provided a statement to MMA Fighting to confirm that, while “Trail Blazer” has made the decision to expand his MMA horizons, it will be part of a hybrid system involving multiple locations ahead of a hopeful summer return.
“We are looking to return to the cage in July or August, although if anything opens up, you know Kevin is always ready and willing,” Hodak stated. “Meanwhile, he will be going back and forth to get some work in with DC and his crew out in in San Jose.
“Texas will remain his home base for training, just adding California and some work in Vegas at the [UFC Performance Institute].
Holland was on the short list for Fighter of the Year when he went 5-0 in 2020. The 28-year-old picked up four finishes of Anthony Hernandez, Joaquin Buckley, Charlie Ontiveros and Jacare Souza, along with a split-decision win over Darren Stewart.