In a rather surprise booking, middleweight Thiago Santos will take on Contender Series alum Kevin Holland at UFC 227.
There’s been a late addition to UFC 227, and it features a newcomer against a ranked opponent.
On Tuesday’s latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, reporter Laura Sanko revealed that #13 middleweight contender Thiago Santos will take on Contender Series alum Kevin Holland on the August 4th pay-per-view, which will be held at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Santos (17-6) is coming off a first-round KO loss to David Branch at UFC Atlantic City in April. The heavy defeat ended his four-fight winning streak, and set him back significantly in his quest for a title shot. Santos is known for his absolutely punishing body and head kicks, which have felled six of his UFC opponents, including the likes of Anthony Smith and Jack Hermansson.
Holland (12-3) competed on the season two premiere of Contender Series last month, winning a one-sided unanimous decision over Will Santiago. He did not get a contract following that victory, but with Alexander Gustafsson off of this event, it appears as if the UFC has created a replacement fight to fill that void on the main card, so it’s a big opportunity for this exciting prospect to showcase his talents against a dangerous veteran.
Also of note for this event, Sanko also reported that Benito Lopez is out of his bantamweight bout vs. Ricky Simon, and has been replaced by Contender Series signing Montel Jackson.
UFC 227 is headlined by a pair of championship rematches, with bantamweight king TJ Dillashaw taking on Cody Garbrandy in the main event, while flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson once again squares off vs. Henry Cejudo in the co-main event.