Kevin Holland wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev Next

UFC Middleweight fighter Kevin Holland after his amazing KO of Jacare Souza is eyeing a fight against another rise and comer Khamzat Chimaev.

Kevin Holland has already won five fights in 2020, but if the right situation came up, he’d be more than happy to make an instant turnaround and make it six. When Kevin Holland tested positive for COVID-19 and was subsequently removed from his main event matchup with Jack Hermasson, many thought his 2020 would be over. Fast forward just a few hours later and Holland found himself another booking a week later on the final PPV event of the year against a perennial middleweight contender Jacare Souza. Holland (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) scored a remarkable knockout of former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo Souza in their 185-pound main card clash at UFC 256.

Kevin Holland wants Khamzat Chimaev next

“I know Chimaev was supposed to fight on Dec. 19, you know? He fights in ’85 and ’70. Come back up to ’85!” he told Rogan during the live broadcast. “I think he should stay at ’70, I think he could be a champ at 170. But if he comes up here to 185, I’m gonna bang that boy up!”

Middleweight Kevin Holland spoke with reporters backstage at the UFC APEX following his incredible first-round KO win. “Trailblazer” discussed having mixed emotions finishing “Jacare,” his callout of Khamzat Chimaev, whether or not he’s the Fighter of the Year, what Dana White said to him after the win, and more.

“He doesn’t have a reputation for fighting all the time, that’s just what all the casuals think, that he fights all the time,” he stated. “He fought three times this year, two times against bums and then another time against Gerald Meerschaert. Gerald Meerschaert’s not a bum, but he was coming off a knockout. He hasn’t beaten anybody in the UFC with a win but, at the same time, he’s a good ticket for the UFC, so let me stop talking about somebody that can help us make money, right?”

Holland’s finish of Souza took his 2020 record in the octagon to 5-0, with four of those wins coming inside the distance. While his callout for Chimaev may not deliver the immediate matchup he fished for, he said he’s just happy to compete on the big stage in a sport he loves.

“I’m a company man. Whatever they want me to do, I’m here to do,” he admitted. “If they want me to fight next week, I’ll fight next week. If they want me to fight in a couple of months, I’ll fight in a couple of months. Whatever they want me to do, that’s what I’m here to do. Ultimately, I love my job, and I’m not here to complain. I’m just here to give grace and glory. I love it.”

Unfortunately for Holland, the UFC has already decided to move Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards from December 19th to January 20th on account of Leon testing positive for COVID-19. Till then Kevin will have to wait for his opportunity to fight Chimaev or maybe fight someone else.

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