MIAMI – Kevin Holland won Saturday in impressive fashion. Unbeknownst to many, he did so compromised.
Over the 13-plus-minute duration of his UFC 287 bout, Holland (24-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) barely threw his right hand. Holland switched stances and threw mostly left punches and kicks until he landed a TKO blow (a left hook) on Santiago Ponzinibbio at 3:16 of Round 3.
Holland is glad he competed, given the performance, but revealed in a post-fight news conference he reconsidered his participation minutes before the walkout. His hand still has issues from his UFC on ESPN 42 battle against Stephen Thompson last December and subsequent surgery thereafter.