Kevin Holland’s activity this year paid off in the form of a notable feat at UFC on ESPN+ 39 on Saturday.
Holland (18-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) became the first fighter to go 4-0 inside the octagon in 2020 when he beat Charlie Ontiveros (11-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) by first-round verbal submission victory in their middleweight matchup, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.
Originally scheduled to fight Makhmud Muradov on the card, Holland dispatched of late-note replacement Ontiveros courtesy of a big slam followed by some top pressure that caused his opponent to give up. Ontiveros as hurt, and had to be taken out of the octagon on a stretcher.
Watch a replay of the finish below (via Twitter):
Make it 4⃣ victories in 2020!
[ #UFCVegas12 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/RuxVTTAqDN
@Trailblaze2top keeps his electric year going.
— UFC (@ufc) October 31, 2020
Immediately after the fight, Holland went over to talk trash to middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who was seated cageside and is in Las Vegas to corner a teammate at Tuesday’s Dana White Contender Series event.
Adesanya talked a little back to Holland, but largely allowed him to enjoy his moment (via Twitter):
A new beef at 185?@Trailblaze2top went straight to @Stylebender following his win
#UFCVegas12 pic.twitter.com/XXbHwPJx45
— UFC (@ufc) October 31, 2020
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 39 results include:
- Kevin Holland def. Charlie Ontiveros via verbal submission (injury) – Round 1, 2:39
- Thiago Moises def. Bobby Green via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Chris Gruetzemacher via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:46
- Adrian Yanez def. Victor Rodriguez via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 2:46
- Sean Strickland def. Jack Marshman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jason Witt def. Cole Williams via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:09
- Dustin Jacoby def. Justin Ledet via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:38
- Miles Johns def. Kevin Natividad via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 2:51