Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland will have the honor of highlighting the next UFC Fight Night. The two middleweights are entering this clash with high hopes, both wanting to win and, later on, receive a chance to challenge big names of this division. If Brunson triumphs, he won’t get a title shot, but we might see him in a title eliminator next. Meanwhile, the situation is much better for Holland, who is chasing history with this event. If he wins it, the American will become the only fighter in the UFC with six wins within 12 months. If that happens, well, you know what is next for him – Israel Adesanya.
Preview
Derek Brunson (21-7) has three wins in a row, defeating Elias Theodorou, Ian Heinisch, and Edmen Shahbazyan. He beat the first two rivals via unanimous decision and KOd Shahbazyan in the latest event during the third round.
He was already tested for some bigger challenges before, but failed to pass. Brunson lost to Robert Whittaker, Anderson Silva, Ronaldo Souza, and Israel Adesanya pretty easily, suffering KOs in all events but the one against Silva who beat him via UD.
Loud crowds, loud fighters 🗣
🤫 @DerekBrunson has no issue creating the silence…
[ #UFCVegas 22 – Saturday on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/oBqOiId1MQ
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2021
He veteran has 37 years, and to be perfectly straight, he is already a formed fighter, with very little room for improvement. Brunson is a solid wrestler who can cause damage and problems once taking the rival to the ground. Also, his punches are ferocious, which is obvious from the following data. Twelve of his 21 wins were after a knockout.
On the other side, Brunson’s weak spots are numerous, but the biggest one is moving and poor tactical knowledge. He lost the majority of fights after terrible judgment, overexposing himself. And when you meet Adesanya, or Jacare Souza, for example, that is a mistake with a high price.
Kevin Holland (21-5) is on fire. This guy has five wins, all of them within less than seven months. At first, he trashed Anthony Hernandez, Joaquin Buckley, Darren Stewart, Charlie Ontiveros before delivering arguably the best knockout of the year at the UFC 256 against Ronaldo Souza.
Holland was on his back on the floor when he smashed Jacare, who was left stunned in that situation. Even those who dislike the TrailBlazer had to admit that such a highlight reel wasn’t seen in a long time.
He did what!? @Trailblaze2top ended his 2020 run with an all-time KO 😳
[ #UFCVegas22 – Saturday on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/QPm47FuIQM
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2021
The previous loss Holland suffered was in October 2019 against Brendan Allen, who submitted him via a rear-naked choke. After that, something popped in Holland’s head, and he went on a spree that was seen only once before. Roger Huerta went 5-0 in 2007, and after him, there wasn’t anyone who got near breaking that record. Until now.
The TrailBlazer is a dynamic, aggressive guy who knows all sorts of things inside the octagon. We need to say that he isn’t great in any of them, but he knows his way around in each aspect of the battle.
Prediction
As said before, Holland is hot. But this is not the only reason to put money on his win. The 28-year old is improving enormously from fight to fight, and he constantly comes out with some new tricks and moves. Whether that is due to fantastic confidence or something else, we don’t know, but he really looks superb.
Meanwhile, Brunson didn’t beat such an opponent before. Most of his triumphs were against low-ranked rivals, and each time he faced some solid competitor, the veteran would end up destroyed. So, in this case, investing in Holland’s win is a superb choice. The odds at BetXChange are 0.60 right now.
