Kevin Holland did not have success in his last two fights and was intent on changing it at UFC 302. With former POTUS Donald Trump in attendance, Holland looked hurt in the first round of his matchup against Michał Oleksiejczuk. However, he quickly recovered to submit his opponent and celebrated with Trump, Dana White, and Sean Shelby.
Oleksiejczuk hurt Holland with shots and dropped him. However, Holland was not completely out. As the Polish fighter looked for a ground-and-pound finish, Holland caught Oleksiejczuk in an armbar. The Polish fighter refused to trap as Holland broke his arm. Referee Herb Dean rightfully stopped the fight, and Holland jumped off the cage and shook hands with Trump and the UFC brass.
In the octagon interview, Holland clarified he didn’t use full force against his opponent at first. However, after Oleksiejczuk refused to tap, Holland used full force, breaking the opponent’s arm. Funnily enough, Holland claimed he was the best gatekeeper ever in the UFC, willing to fight two weight classes.
Holland’s main fighting base is Kung Fu, where he is a second-degree Black Belt. He is also a BJJ black belt under Travis Luter, who famously missed weight in a title fight against Anderson Silva. Luter trained BJJ under Carlos Machado, the older brother of Jean Jacques Machado, Joe Rogan‘s BJJ master.
Fans react to Kevin Holland breaking opponent’s arm and walking over to Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s attendance certainly has fighters excited. Alex Pereira took a picture with the former POTUS just before he entered the arena. Sean Strickland, who defeated Paulo Costa in the co-main event, shouted out the President, citing that he was a target of an unfair lawsuit.
Kevin Holland defeated Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302 (Image via: X)As such, it was not a surprise to see Kevin Holland jump out of the cage to meet Trump seconds after he won the fight by breaking off his opponent’s arm. See how fight fans reacted to Holland’s actions below.
Like dude, tap
— Ōzeki GOAT (@GOATofGOATS_MMA) June 2, 2024
Watch this mentality…
— CRKN (@The_Crackoon) June 2, 2024
I dont think it broke i think its dislocated but he used it after.
— Josh Kemp (@CALI_SOUL) June 2, 2024
He didn’t tap lol!! Wth.
— Really A Vampire (@GapingH0le) June 2, 2024
He did his job lol
— Dre Miley (@miley_dre135) June 2, 2024
Kevin Holland saves the card once again, I love that dude
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) June 2, 2024
Oh fuck!😱 Is that a legal move?
— Hellooo_Kittah (@Hellooo_Kittah) June 2, 2024
Sum fighters have ego and pride to tap… Herb Dean ahould’ve protected the fighter from himself and stopped the fight!!!
But big congrats to Kevin Holland! Well deserved!
— ♔ BxciiNG ♔ (@BxciiNG) June 2, 2024
beautiful armbar, am i on crack for thinking its not broken doe
— vin 🇨🇦 (@vsmldrs) June 2, 2024
Even though Holland claimed to be a gatekeeper, commentator Daniel Cormier disagreed with Holland’s self-assessment. Cormier cited Holland as more than a gatekeeper, claiming he has the talent to be an elite contender. Nonetheless, Holand has faltered against top welterweights like Michael Venom Page, Jack Della Maddalena, and Stephen Thompson in his past six fights.
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