UFC welterweight Kevin Holland continued his run into two weight divisions with a date at UFC London against Gunnar Nelson on Saturday night.
Holland (26-13) has had a rough go as of late, but it’s only against some of the best at 170 and 185. He came into the fight on a two-fight losing skid dropping fights against Reinier de Ridder and Roman Dolidze. 1-4 in his last 5, Holland needed a win at UFC London to stave off the dreaded 3-fight losing streak.
Nelson (19-5) made his return after a near two-year absence. Following a submission victory against Bryan Barberena at UFC 286 in March 2023 he made his first appearance of 2025 against Holland.
Round 1 Holland came out with a wide stance going for leg kicks early and reaching with lead hooks and jabs. Nelson, per usual, was very patient to start, but with as wide a stance as Holland.
Nelson secured a takedown with the scrappy Holland going for an omaplata, but Nelson stood up carrying all of Holland’s weight. They went back to the canvas and Nelson got his arm free while looking to land damage from top. Holland fired off punches and elbows off his back.
With under 30 seconds left Holland dropped Nelson with a big right hand and tried to finish the fight, but ran out of time. Nelson was visibly shaky on his way back to the corner.
Round 2 Holland came out looking to land a big shot up top and hope Nelson was still damaged from the end of the first round. Holland continued to look for that right hand until Nelson clinched him, took him to the fence, but wasn’t able to take him down at that point.
Holland landing on Nelson with the elbows, and stops another takedown from Nelson. It only lasted so long as he got taken down with 2 minutes left in the round. Holland continued to throw hammers off his back with Nelson looking to control the limbs.
The round ended with Holland looking to land shots in close off his back.
Round 3 Nelson possibly needed a win with Holland doing so well in round 1 and arguably winning the second round even with Nelson in top position at the end of the round.
Nelson ate a lot of shots as he tried to get ahold of Holland, but once he did he got a single leg takedown rather quick.
Nelson began to land some real damage on Holland who did land some rather creative heel strikes on. Nelson dropped on top right into an arm triangle. Nelson almost finished the choke, but Holland found a way to scramble out and back to his feet.
Now it was Holland’s turn landing shots on Nelson on the fence including a nasty flying knee. Nelson shot in again, but Holland continued to score on Nelson with strikes. The fight went to the judges.
Official Result: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
