Kevin Holland’s brain wanted more at UFC 307 but his body didn’t allow for it.
In a middleweight bout on Saturday’s main card at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Roman Dolidze (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated Holland (26-12 MMA, 13-9 UFC) by TKO due to injury between Round 1 and 2.
Holland found success on the feet early, but when taken down suffered a rib injury when grappling with Dolidze. Initially, a wounded Holland covered up as Dolidze rained down punches from mount. Holland covered up, bobbed, weaved and blocked the strikes. He even barked up at Dolidze from the bottom.
When the end-of-round horn sounded and it was time for Holland to get up off the canvas, he winced in significant pain and complained to his corner that his ribs were not right. Coach Bob Perez asked his fighter to be honest and seemed uneasy about Holland returning to test himself in Round 2. Eventually, Perez told referee Jason Herzog that Holland was done.
Holland seemed at peace with that decision as he immediately went and shook hands with Dolidze, who was awarded his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt by coach Eric Nicksick.
Roman Dolidze defeats Kevin Holland by TKO after Holland couldn't continue due to a rib injury. #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/SapSMzowQH
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2024
Perez made a similar call in December 2022 when Holland severely broke his hand during a fight vs. Stephen Thompson. After the fight, Perez shed light on his role in protecting his fighters in an interview with MMA Junkie.
With the win, Dolidze has won back-to-back fights.
In defeat, Holland has lost three of his most recent four bouts.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 307 results include:
- Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 5:00
- Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:17
- Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
- Cesar Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:35
- Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:19
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.
