Kevin Holland and Vicente Luque Agree to Fight at UFC 296 Following Ian Garry’s exit: ‘Let’s Put on a show’

UFC 296Kevin Holland has offered up his services for UFC 296. The promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year was delivered…

UFC 296

Kevin Holland has offered up his services for UFC 296.

The promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year was delivered an unfortunate blow when Dana White revealed that rising Irish star Ian Garry was officially out of his highly anticipated clash with Vicente Luque due to a bout with pneumonia. With only 48 hours until fight night, many assumed that the contest had been scrapped from the main card altogether.

However, UFC fan favorite and perennial trash-talker Kevin Holland offered to step in on short notice while also taking a not-so-subtle dig at Garry who has seen his fair share of controversy over the last few months.

“Here is the deal….I checked with both my wife and my gf, and they said I can fight this weekend,” Holland wrote on X. “#UFC296 #WAG.”

Getting word of Holland’s offer, Vicente Luque shared a video on social media, letting the ‘Trailblazer’ know that he’s happy to accept his challenge for UFC 296.

“So guys, I saw Kevin Holland wants to jump in to substitute for the fight Saturday night and I want to tell you guys, I’m down,” Luque said. “So Kevin, if you’re really down to come here, let’s do this. Let’s mix it up. Let’s get in that Octagon and go to war. And hey, I’m willing to do 180 so we can do it at 180, and let’s put on a show for all the crowd.”

Ian Garry’s Exit From UFC 296 Adds More Fuel to the Fire

Ian Garry has been under attack ever since reigning middleweight world champion Sean Strickland lambasted the Irishman’s relationship with his 40-year-old wife Layla Anna-Lee. More than a decade ago, Anna-Lee wrote an 11-page guidebook entitled How to Be a WAG, teaching older women how to date young athletes and celebrities.

Strickland quickly dubbed Anna-Lee as a “predator” and every attempt by Garry and his wife to defend their relationship or simply quiet the noise on social media has only exacerbated the backlash.

Garry’s last-minute retreat from UFC 296 has certainly done him no favors in quieting all the background noise.

Dillon Danis calls for potential UFC debut against Kevin Holland: ‘Give me an easy first fight’

Dillon Danis welcomes UFC fight with Kevin Holland give me an easy oneAhead of his boxing clash with Logan Paul later this month in England, outspoken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Dillon Danis has called for a potential UFC debut fight against welterweight striker, Kevin Holland, describing a hypothetical clash with the Riverside native as an “easy fight”. Danis, who boasts an unbeaten 2-0 professional mixed martial arts record, […]

Dillon Danis welcomes UFC fight with Kevin Holland give me an easy one

Ahead of his boxing clash with Logan Paul later this month in England, outspoken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Dillon Danis has called for a potential UFC debut fight against welterweight striker, Kevin Holland, describing a hypothetical clash with the Riverside native as an “easy fight”.

Danis, who boasts an unbeaten 2-0 professional mixed martial arts record, is slated to return to combat sports competition for the first time in over four years, most recently landing a first round armbar win over Max Humphrey at Bellator 222 in New York. 

And set to make a return in the co-main event of a boxing card in London, New Jersey grappling sensation, Danis takes on podcast host and professional wrestling talent, Paul in a much-anticipated and bad-blooded boxing match.

Weighing up his future in mixed martial arts ahead of the clash, however, Danis expressed an interest in a potential move to the UFC – outlining his willingness to fight former lightweight title challenger, Nate Diaz, claiming himself and the Stockton veteran have a history. 

Dillon Danis welcomes UFC debut against Kevin Holland

However, across social media overnight, Marcelo Garcia trained black belt, Danis mentioned the possibility of a fight with the aforenoted, Holland in the future – claiming he would want an “easy fight” in a potential Octagon landing.

“If I go to the UFC give me a (sic) easy fight I’ll take Kevin Holland,” Dillon Danis posted on his official X account.

In a swift reply to Danis, Holland claimed the New Jersey grappler should first seek out a rematch with a bouncer who infamously choked him out last year, before even thinking of making a move to the UFC.

“Get in line bucko,” Kevin Holland posted on X. “Maybe we can get you a rematch on #DWCS against this guy first? Win that and Dana (White) might just give you a contract to the big leagues.” 

Would you like to see Dillon Danis fight Kevin Holland in the UFC?

Jack Della Maddalena edges Kevin Holland in close striking co headliner decision win – Noche UFC Highlights

Jack Della Maddalena lands close split decision win over Kevin Holland at Noche UFC HighlightsAustralian contender, Jack Della Maddalena continues his promotional-perfect run tonight in the co-main event of Noche UFC, defeating fan-favorite welterweight striker, Kevin Holland in a tightly-contested split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory. Della Maddalena, who had won in each of his last five straight Octagon appearance since his move to the promotion from Dana White’s […]

Jack Della Maddalena lands close split decision win over Kevin Holland at Noche UFC Highlights

Australian contender, Jack Della Maddalena continues his promotional-perfect run tonight in the co-main event of Noche UFC, defeating fan-favorite welterweight striker, Kevin Holland in a tightly-contested split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory.

Della Maddalena, who had won in each of his last five straight Octagon appearance since his move to the promotion from Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2021, made hard work of short-notice replacement, Bassil Hafez earlier this summer in an impromptu clash at the UFC Apex facility.

And drawing Riverside striker, Holland tonight, Della Maddalena forced the former middleweight contender to the loser’s enclosure for the first time this year — ending his winning run which consisted of finishes against both Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Michael Chiesa, Della Maddalena racked up a close split decision win over the course of three rounds against the former.

Below, catch the highlights from Jack Della Maddalena’s decision win over Kevin Holland at Noche UFC

Kevin Holland blasts media, uninterested in UFC title win: ‘Why are you guys so focused on the belt?’

Kevin Holland blasts media why are you so worried about the belt Noche UFCAhead of his Noche UFC return this weekend, fan-favorite welterweight contender, Kevin Holland has claimed he has no real interest in winning a championship during his Octagon tenure, questioning the media’s apparent interest in the constant revolving door of a title’s location and holder. Holland, the current number thirteen ranked welterweight contender, is slated to […]

Kevin Holland blasts media why are you so worried about the belt Noche UFC

Ahead of his Noche UFC return this weekend, fan-favorite welterweight contender, Kevin Holland has claimed he has no real interest in winning a championship during his Octagon tenure, questioning the media’s apparent interest in the constant revolving door of a title’s location and holder.

Holland, the current number thirteen ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his third Octagon walk of the year, taking on surging Australian contender, Jack Della Maddalena in a high-profile co-main event clash at Noche UFC.

Riding a two-fight winning run into his return, Riverside striker, Holland turned in a stunning third round KO win over Argentine veteran, Santiago Ponzinibbio back in April, before finishing the returning, Michael Chiesa with a first round D’Arce choke submission win in dominant fashion at UFC 291 back in July.

Kevin Holland claims he’s not “worried” about winning a UFC championship

And whilst once in the midst of an impressive run at middleweight, which led him to a title-eliminator with Marvin Vettori – which he ultimately lost, Holland remained coy on the possibility of him eventually winning Octagon spoils ahead of Noche UFC, questioning an apparent media obsession with the championship.

“Why are you guys so focused on the f*cking belt all the time?” Kevin Holland asked assembled media ahead of his Noche UFC return. “Excuse my language, but why are you so focused on the belt? I just told you I’m not worried about the belt then you go back and repeat ask me about the belt.”

“I’m not worried about the belt,” Kevin Holland explained. “Why are you so worried about the belt? You don’t even fight for a living, why are you so worried about the belt? That’s the ultimate answer you need. Maybe I’m getting pay-per-view points. You don’t know, right?”

Can Kevin Holland hand Jack Della Maddalena his first UFC loss this weekend?

Kevin Holland doesn’t see the UFC giving him Ian Garry anytime soon: ‘I don’t think I fit the blueprint’

Kevin HollandKevin Holland doesn’t see the UFC booking him to fight rising welterweight prospect Ian Garry anytime soon. Garry earned his sixth-straight win inside the Octagon at UFC 292, scoring a lopsided unanimous decision over 170-pound staple Neil Magny. It was another impressive showing for ‘The Future’ and signaled that the Irish ass-kicker is ready for […]

Kevin Holland

Kevin Holland doesn’t see the UFC booking him to fight rising welterweight prospect Ian Garry anytime soon.

Garry earned his sixth-straight win inside the Octagon at UFC 292, scoring a lopsided unanimous decision over 170-pound staple Neil Magny. It was another impressive showing for ‘The Future’ and signaled that the Irish ass-kicker is ready for a step up in competition. Unfortunately, that step-up likely won’t include the likes of division fan favorite Kevin Holland.

Speaking with Michael Bisping on the former middleweight champ’s YouTube channel, Kevin Holland had nothing, but good things to say about Garry’s latest performance, though he made sure to work in a dig at the promotion’s alleged favoritism toward certain fighters.

“I think he answered a lot of questions, looked really good,” Holland said. “UFC says they have a blueprint for these guys to be something special when they have the Irish accent, so I think he’s on his way, bro, I think it’s going to be wonderful” (h/t MMA News).

Kevin Holland Commends Ian Garry For Taking Charge of His Career at Such an Early Age

Addressing a potential meeting with Garry in the future, Kevin Holland does not believe that he fits the mold of a fighter the UFC wants to match up with ‘The Future’ at this point in his still-developing career.

“They have a blueprint for guys like that and I don’t think I fit the blueprint,” Holland said. “I don’t think I fit the bill when it comes to what Ian Garry has planned and, you know, props to the guy, nothing but respect.

Holland was also complimentary of how Garry has been curating his combat sports career thus far.

“The dude’s 25 and he takes his career very, very seriously. When I was 25 years old, I really didn’t give two sh*ts about the career, so props to that guy,” Holland continued. “When I was 25, I wanted to make it but didn’t really care if I did, he’s there and he’s taking advantage of it.”

On September 16, Kevin Holland is scheduled to return for a clash with Jack Della Maddalena at Noche UFC, the same night Valentina Shevchenko will attempt to reclaim the women’s flyweight world championship in her rematch with reigning titleholder Alexa Grasso.

Kevin Holland – Jack Della Maddalena fight set to co headline Noche UFC in September

Kevin Holland set to fight Jack Della Maddalena at Noche UFC on September 16.An exciting welterweight pairing between the current number twelve ranked division contender, Kevin Holland, the surging number fourteen rated, Jack Della Maddalena are scheduled to share the Octagon on September 16. – taking co-main event honors at Noche UFC at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holland, the current number eleven ranked welterweight contender, […]

Kevin Holland set to fight Jack Della Maddalena at Noche UFC on September 16.

An exciting welterweight pairing between the current number twelve ranked division contender, Kevin Holland, the surging number fourteen rated, Jack Della Maddalena are scheduled to share the Octagon on September 16. – taking co-main event honors at Noche UFC at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Holland, the current number eleven ranked welterweight contender, most recently featured at UFC 291 July – earning a Performance of the NIght bonus as well as his second consecutive victory with a stunning opening round D’Arce choke submission win over Michael Chiesa.

Della Maddalena, 26, most recently was forced the distance in a close, hard-fought split decision win over Bassil Hafez also in July of this year, after seeing a planned fight with Sean Brady, and then Josiah Harrell fall to the wayside ahead of a planned return at UFC 290 during International Fight Week in the same month. 

Kevin Holland meets Jack Della Maddalena on September 16.

News of Kevin Holland’s return next month against Australian favorite, Jack Della Maddalena was first reported by X user, @standemup, before the UFC officially announced the pairing of the welterweight contenders.

Prior to his submission win over The Ultmate Fighter victor, Chiesa, Riverside striker, Holland managed to snap a two-fight losing run to both Khamzat Chimaev and former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson, with a peculiar third round KO win over Santiago Ponzinibbio back in April.

Over the course of his storied Octagon tenure, Californian contender, Holland has landed notable triumphs over the likes of Gerald Meerschaert, Joaquin Buckley, Ronaldo Souza, Alex Oliveira, and Tim Means to name a few. 

15-2 as a professional, Della Maddalena, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2021, has landed victories in each of his first five Octagon outings since landing in the organization.

Prior to his split judging win over Hafez, Della Maddalena would turn in noteworthy wins over Ramazan Emeev, Danny Roberts, and Randy Brown. 

Noche UFC takes place on September 16 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with an undisputed flyweight title fight rematch between champion, Alexa Grasso, and former titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko booked to take main event honors. 

Who wins between Kevin Holland and Jack Della Maddalena at Noche UFC?