There’s a reason why Kevin Holland’s nickname is “Big Mouth.” The surging middleweight contender simply doesn’t stop talking.
While that method usually backfires for young UFC fighters on the rise Holland has defied the odds and continues to win inside of the Octagon. The 28-year-old contender turned in a memorable 5-0 record in 2020 and is lined up to headline his first UFC event later tonight (Sat., Mar. 20, 2021) at UFC Vegas 22 live on ESPN against perennial contender Derek Brunson.
In advance to Holland’s first main event bid UFC has compiled all the best trash talk from “Big Mouth” over the past few years. Whether he’s trying to make a name for himself on Dana White’s “Contender Series,” getting dominated by Thiago Santos in a short-notice UFC debut, or finishing Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza off his back, Holland makes every second count.
Check out the video compilation above courtesy of UFC/ESPN and try not to crack a smile.
The fact that Holland is winning while talking to his opponents makes his “Big Mouth” approach even more impressive. Brunson is a veteran fighter typically unfazed by trash talk, but Holland has ramped his efforts up over the past few weeks. He even made Brunson look uncomfortable during their staredown at weigh ins on Friday (see it HERE).
We will find out later tonight if Holland can keep up his winning ways, snap Brunson’s three-fight win streak, and bring his “Big Mouth” game to the top of the division.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 22 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN2/ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the ESPN/ESPN+ main card start time at 10 p.m. ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 22 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the complete “Brunson vs. Holland” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.