Kevin Holland aims to win his fourth fight of 2020 as he welcomes late notice debutant Charlie Ontiveros to the UFC middleweight division. Can Ontiveros cause an upset in his first career fight at 185lbs?
Holland (19-5) is the former Xtreme Knockout middleweight champion. He appeared on the second series of Dana White’s Contender Series and won his bout but was not offered a UFC contract. Nonetheless, he made his debut in the promotion two months later at UFC 227.
Since that UFC debut in August 2018, Holland has kept himself busy and has amassed a 6-2 record in the organization. This will be his fourth fight of 2020 and his third in the last three months.
Slight change of plans to my 2020 but we have-
August ✅
September ✅
October still ✅
November 👸🏻 ?! @PlatinumPerry pic.twitter.com/AC9Qugaflr— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) October 29, 2020
“Trailblazer” has won six of his last seven and is on a three-fight winning streak going into this weekend. His most recent fight was a split decision win against Darren Stewart last month. Holland has three decision wins (two splits) and three finishes in the UFC, with two of his stoppages coming in the final round, one by TKO and the other by submission.
Holland boasts fifteen career wins by stoppage (nine TKO and six submission victories), and has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kung fu, and kickboxing – he has never lost by KO. He will be keen to record a perfect 4-0 in 2020 with an impressive display that could see him enter the 185lbs rankings on the week of his 28th birthday.
Charlie Ontiveros (11-6) is making his UFC debut this weekend in a fight he only agreed to two days before the event. Having only ever competed at welterweight it will also be his maiden bout at middleweight.
“The American Bad Boy” most recently fought last December when he knocked out Washington Luiz in the first round at Fury FC 40 and is aiming to record his third victory in a row. Ontiveros’ last four wins have all been stoppages with three coming by KO/TKO and the other by DQ in a run stretching back to 2016 (although he did not compete in 2018).
Precision and timing… Charlie Ontiveros with a well timed #jumpingknee at #FuryFC35@FuryFightingTX #MMA #HoustonMMA #Knockout #KO #FlyingKneehttps://t.co/kw1AJwoLIW pic.twitter.com/IJRAR1EyA8
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 24, 2019
Ontiveros has four KO/TKO and two submission wins to his name but all of his defeats have been by KO/TKO. A win this weekend would see him arrive in the UFC with a bang and he may try to stay standing against Holland – however, he will have to overcome a five-inch reach disadvantage while doing so.
Prediction: Holland by decision
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