Derek Brunson is looking to break into the title picture, but the man of 2020, Kevin Holland, is looking to steal thunder once again at UFC Vegas 22.
Loud crowds, loud fighters 🗣
🤫 @DerekBrunson has no issue creating the silence…
[ #UFCVegas 22 – Saturday on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/oBqOiId1MQ
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2021
When Derek Brunson went 1-4, the story seemed to be written. He was tough, durable, dangerous, but championship gold was simply not on the horizon. But hindsight is 20/20, and few could have seen the heights that were coming for some of the names who had bested him in Israel Adesany and Robert Whittaker. That’s not to mention the stellar resumes of the veterans he faced as well: all-time great Anderson Silva and perennial contender “Jacare” Souza. For someone who has not closed in on a title shot in his UFC career, he has faced several of the biggest names of the past decade.
2019 was the start of a fresh run. Already established as a tough challenge for anyone in the top ten, Brunson embarked on a new win streak that started with fellow veteran Elias Theodorou, snapping the Canadian’s three fight run. Brunson followed up the performance with a win over LFA and Contender Series veteran Ian Heinisch. Finally, he punctuated his win streak with a third round stoppage of undefeated prospect Edmen Shahbazyan last August. The victory has him poised to return to the upper echelon of the division. A win would be his fourth in a row and his best streak since 2016, and defeating Holland would set him up for a high profile fight that could secure him that elusive opportunity to fight for UFC gold.
He did what!? @Trailblaze2top ended his 2020 run with an all-time KO 😳
[ #UFCVegas22 – Saturday on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/QPm47FuIQM
— UFC (@ufc) March 17, 2021
What can be said about Kevin Holland that has not already been said five times in 2020? After a record tying five wins in the Octagon, in a year where many struggled to train no less, the “Trail Blazer” went from Contender Series prospect to bonafide contender. His run was so impressive, it’s easy to forget that he entered 2020 coming off a loss. In seven months, he turned away the likes of Darren Stewart, Joaquin Buckley, and capped it off with a Knockout of the Year candidate against “Jacare” Souza.
More impressive than the numbers was the manner in which he racked up his victories. His reputation as a trash talker in the cage has became a notorious trademark that has even made it onto his first appearance on a UFC poster. Secondly, Holland’s challenge to reigning champion Israel Adesanya last December has given him an angle to sell a title fight that would be a breath of fresh air considering the New Zealand kingpin has already dispatched most of the other fighters in title contention.
Brunson’s wrestling figures to be crucial against the taller and faster athlete in Holland. Tying up Holland in the clinch will neutralize his striking and allow Brunson to fight on the inside where he can explode with his formidable power. By comparison, Holland should look to use his length to keep the fight on the outside or use his own wrestling to get Brunson to the ground where the threat of his power is removed.
Which 185’er gets closer to the belt? 🤔
Catch you tomorrow night on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus! #UFCVegas22 pic.twitter.com/vIjC9G3iWh
— UFC (@ufc) March 19, 2021
Several high profile middleweight bouts are scheduled for the next month with former champion Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum, Darren Till, and Marvin Vettori all scheduled to face each other. Depending on the timetable and choices of the champion Adesanya, Brunson figures to face the winner of one of the aforementioned bouts in a title eliminator. Holland is likely facing the same, if not an outright title shot should Adesanya seek a new challenge after having already dispatched Whittaker, Gastelum, Vettori, and Brunson.
