Results, video: Thompson batters Holland in UFC main event

Check out the live results and highlights for the UFC Orlando main event between Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland.

Follow along with what’s happening tonight with the UFC Orlando main event between Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland, which is going down from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson is taking a big gamble by facing the unranked, yet highly skilled, Kevin Holland. There’s a lot of possible downside here for Thompson, without an apparent abundance of upside.

We all watched Holland get ran through by Khamzat Chimaev in less than a half-a-round at UFC 279, and have seen him get taken down several times by other fighters. However, his striking game is quite potent, and he now has an opponent in front of him in “Wonderboy” who will be more than willing to engage in a five-round striking battle.

This might end up being a bit of a chess match, but you should fully expect both parties to be having a blast out there the whole time. You could probably create a drinking game where you have to take a shot every time either fighter smiles during the match, but definitely do not do that!

The UFC Orlando: Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland main card is scheduled for 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT, and can be seen on ESPN+.

Stephen Thompson def. Kevin Holland by TKO at 5:00 of round 4: Welterweight

Holland was launching himself at Thompson to get things going, trying to deal with the footwork of “Wonderboy.” A stiff straight from Thompson slowed down the aggression of Holland, but a cut formed around the left eye of Stephen. Holland then flurried on Thompson, and then connected with a big knee. Holland then blasted Thompson with a right cross that wobbled him, and then tried to finish him against the cage. Thompson hung tough, and then started to score again with his straight punches.

Thompson was launching some head kicks to begin the second act, but Holland was doing a good job of blocking them. Thompson then blitzed Holland with his hands, which put Holland on the defensive. The momentum didn’t stay on the side of Thompson for very long, as Holland started to punch and kick his way back to the center. Holland even hit a takedown, but stood right up and allowed Thompson to do the same. The athletes started going blow for blow, with each man connecting clean.

Holland scored an early takedown in the third round, but again agreed to stand back up. The straights of Thompson continued to be lightening fast. He was exploding in and catching Holland off guard, and then darted back out of harms way. Holland was slowing down, but he was doing a good job of rolling with the punches. Thompson started to let his kicks fly, and even scored a spinning wheel kick. The chin of Holland was definitely on display this round.

Holland seemed to be experience a problem with his right hand going into the fourth frame. He started to clinch up, but as soon as Thompson broke free he started to batter Holland with nasty body kicks. After a brief timeout from a cup shot to Holland, Thompson started to throw spinning kicks at the head of Kevin. Holland was eating these strikes like a champion, but he was getting thrashed. A big overhand punch from Thompson dropped Holland, but it was Stephen’s turn to allow Kevin to get up. Holland’s corner stopped the fight on the stool, preventing any further damage to their fighter.