Video: Brunson wins, as Holland kept talking towards decision loss

Derek Brunson won another fight against someone people deemed a potential contender.

It wasn’t pretty, but Derek Brunson ignored Kevin Holland’s constant smack talk, and won himself another UFC main event fight against a top ranked opponent. Holland had his moments on the feet landing his right straight over and over, but as Michael Bisping and other commentators critiqued, he didn’t seem to have enough sense of urgency.

Brunson controlled top position for majority of the contest, and Holland seemed content to just stay at the bottom and lose rounds.

Holland was talking to everyone, even with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was watching cage-side. His antics continued the entire time, but the veteran in Brunson just quietly notched his fourth win in a row.

Watch highlights from the contest below, along with a snippet from our play-by-play:

Derek Brunson vs. Kevin Holland, Round 5

Holland looks for a front kick that doesn’t connect. Couple of leg kicks from Brunson. Straight left from Brunson. Holland with a jab. Body kick from Brunson. Brunson clinches. Brunson is cut. He lands some knees inside. Hollland gets a takedown! That was out of nowhere. Three minutes to go. Brunson closes his guard and tries to lock him down. Holland with some body punches. Holland tries to posture up, and picks him up and slams him down again. The ref warns them for inactivity. Body shots from Holland. Now some big rights but Brunson pushes him off and gets up. Brunson immediately shoots and gets his own takedown. Holland’s head is against the cage. 30 seconds to go. Holland is still talking and laughing. Brunson backs out and lets him stand for the last 10 seconds. Holland just walks away from him. Brunson throws a head kick. 10-9 Holland but 49-46 Brunson.

Derek Brunson defeated Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-46, 49-46)