UFC is finalizing an exciting welterweight matchup to its September pay-per-view event.
Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez are expected to square off Sept. 10 at a UFC 279 in Las Vegas. Contracts have still not been inked, but both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout – and the UFC has made an official announcement.
Multiple people with knowledge of the targeted booking confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie after Holland announced it on Instagram.
The bout is expected to take place at a weight of 180 pounds, MMA Junkie has learned. Both fighters have fluctuated between welterweight and middleweight in the past.
Holland (23-7 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will look to continue his winning ways at welterweight. Since he dropped down from middleweight at the beginning of 2022, Holland has finished Alex Oliveira and Tim Means. Both earned him “Performance of the Night” bonuses.
Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is riding a three-fight win streak after a hot 2021 campaign. During the calendar year, Rodriguez defeated Mike Perry, Preston Parsons, and former interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee.
With the addition, the UFC 279 lineup includes:
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz
- Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang
- Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
- Norma Dumont vs. Danyelle Wolf
- Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
- Jamie Pickett vs. Denis Tiuliulin
- Heili Alateng vs. Chad Anheliger
- Melissa Martinez vs. Elise Reed
- Ion Cutelaba vs. Johnny Walker
- Chris Barnett vs. Jake Collier
- Hakeem Dawodu vs. Julian Erosa
- Yohan Lainesse vs. Darian Weeks
