After
breaking his right hand in a loss to Stephen
Thompson this previous December, Kevin
Holland wasn’t precisely positive how he would really feel in opposition to Santiago
Ponzinibbio at UFC 287.
Issues turned out fairly effectively for Holland, as he knocked out
Ponzinibbio 3:16 into the third spherical of their featured
welterweight encounter on Saturday night time in Miami.
“It felt fairly good, particularly stepping into there in opposition to a knockout
artist like Ponzinibbio. No excuses, however I actually didn’t know the way
my proper hand was gonna be taking part in into this battle,” Holland mentioned
in a backstage interview with the UFC. “[After I] had damaged it the
final time, as quickly as I received cleared I used to be in right here a few week or
two later. I didn’t suppose it was gonna play out proper, however thank
God I’ve received a left hand as effectively.”
Certainly, it was a left hook from Holland that proved to be the
decisive blow, as he evened his mark at 170 kilos to 2-2 within the
UFC. “The Trailblazer” admitted to have some doubts about his
capacity to carry out because the battle drew close to, nonetheless.
“I by no means had any ideas about not having a battle till I received into
that again room,” Holland mentioned. “We received within the again room, I received
messages from my mother and my supervisor questioning whether or not I ought to do
it or not. I put that little glove on for the primary time ever when
I received within the again. We threw a punch and my hand immediately felt
humorous and I used to be like, ‘Effectively f—ok let’s rely on the left tonight. I
threw the fitting on the market a few instances to make him consider it
was going to occur. I dropped him with the fitting when he had me
with the kick, however positive sufficient it was the left hand that popped on
him. It was like gravy on mashed potatoes and it felt good.”
Holland additionally addressed his provide to Ponzinibbio to maneuver their battle
to 185 kilos simply previous to UFC 287. Based on Holland, it was
all within the identify of leisure. Finally, the perfect transfer was to
keep at welterweight.
“I don’t suppose individuals get me and I don’t count on them to get me. At
the top of the day, I’m an entertainer at first,” Holland
mentioned. “So I’m right here to entertain you guys. I perceive that’s what
I do greatest. If I say one thing about altering weight lessons, I’m
down to vary weight lessons on the final second. I do know we are able to
each make 170. Truthfully, I believe I made 170 simpler on the battle
card than everyone made 170 … I requested him if he needed to change
weight lessons, he didn’t wish to change weight lessons. I really feel
higher after I’m primed out. I used to be primed out at 170.”
