That is the reside weblog for Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott, the welterweight co-main occasion for UFC Vancouver on Saturday night time at Rogers Enviornment.
Selecting up the mantle of fighters like Donald Cerrone earlier than him, Holland is without doubt one of the most energetic fighters on the UFC roster. That is Holland’s twenty eighth combat in simply seven years, and his fifth of 2025 tying the report for many bouts in a 12 months (he’s already completed it as soon as earlier than). If he can get out of this combat comparatively unscathed, Holland may push to interrupt the report later this 12 months.
Pushed because the face of Canadian males’s MMA, Malott beforehand had a possibility to interrupt into the highest 15 of the welterweight rankings however fell quick in opposition to Neil Magny. However after back-to-back wins over Trevin Giles and Charles Radtke, Malott now will get one other shot at shifting into the highest of the 170-pound division.
Try the reside weblog for Holland vs. Malott beneath.
Effectively, that characteristic combat was precisely what we although it could be. Traditional Chito and basic Zahabi. Now we’re onto a matchup that merely can’t be boring.
Kevin Holland is nearly all the time enjoyable, and similar for Mike Malott. Let’s get pleasure from.
Malott out to his standard Sum 41. He’s within the pink shorts and appears to be in great form. Additionally, apparently his brother’s hockey recreation is occurring proper now, so he’ll be combating proper when his brother is skating round.
Holland strolling out with swagger, regardless of the boos. He’s singing no matter his tune is (I can’t make it out) and he’s rocking black shorts.
Holland is 1 years youthful, 2 inches taller, and has an 8-inch attain benefit. This one is near a choose’em on the percentages, with Holland at -105 and Malott at -115.
Joe Martinez will get issues going and this crowd is loud for Malott. He stands nonetheless, shifting his weight whereas he’s introduced. Holland is smirking, shifting round, and egging the gang on as he’s introduced.
Dan Miragliotta is the referee and the gang boos him loudly.
Holland tries to the touch gloves firstly however Malott denies him. Each males out in orthodox. Holland trying fluid early, snapping his jab. Malott backs him up with a powerful proper hand. Malott testing the waters with a calf kick however Holland counters with a lead hook. Tepid begin to issues right here over the primary 90 seconds.
Holland is available in and Malott lands a pleasant left hook earlier than exiting. Malott throws an enormous hook that simply misses. Holland catches a low kick and sits Malott down! Proper hand put him on his butt and Holland now standing overtop and punching with these lengthy arms. Malott is OK although and he hits a sweep on the leg!
Holland has to roll out and Malott is throughout him however Holland again up. Malott with a clinch takedown however Holland rolls by way of and again to the ft! Enjoyable stuff!
Malott now in southpaw as they’re again at vary. However Malott lands a push kick to the groin and so they’re taking a while. However Holland doesn’t take a lot and we’re again at it.
Good proper hand from Holland on the restart buzzes Malott. Holland strolling in recklessly and Malott swings an enormous shot that Holland has to duck. Malott grabs a clinch and tries for a throw however Holland with good stability. OOOOFFF. HUGE knee to the groin from Malott and Holland is on the ground proper now. That was a tricky one.
The gang is booing the replay, Malott is arguing his case to Miragliotta, and Holland is down. That was positively low. The knee may have hit the physique, nevertheless it clearly moved the cup, too. And Holland is taking his time this time round. Now the query is whether or not some extent will get deducted.
The gang is LOUD. They’re upset. Holland is lastly on his ft. He’s received loads of time nonetheless and may take it, as a result of he doesn’t look nice proper now. Deep breaths. He’s shaking issues out. 65 seconds left. And Holland is saying one thing to Miragliotta. Doesn’t sound good. Miragliotta tells Malott some other low blows will end in some extent deduction. All the time cheat, youngsters!
Holland takes some additional seconds however chooses to proceed. By the rule of regulation, this combat needs to be over and a No Contest. Holland is clearly nonetheless compromised and simply shifting round away from Malott. Malott is just not attacking although. Gentlemanly of him.
Holland remains to be touching his groin, making an attempt to really feel good. A clinch and a few punches inside. Holland remains to be in clear and apparent ache and walks away. Such a bizarre scene because the spherical ends.
MMA Preventing scores the spherical 10-9 Holland.
Miragliotta introduced the physician in, who requested Holland if he can combat. He merely refused to reply. They talked a lot and eventually the combat begins however it is a full blown cluster. Spherical began although.
Malott coming ahead early. All this weirdness appears to have effected Malott, too. He’s not attacking. Lastly is available in and lands a proper hand excessive. Holland is beginning to throw somewhat. Possibly he’s feeling higher. Holland with a superb left hook.
Malott nonetheless holding the middle and lands a superb proper hand. Holland with some mild low kicks. Malott has stopped doing that after the low blows. Good left hook from Malott as Holland will get caught napping. Gradual output from each males this spherical.
Malott with a teep to the physique that JUST missed the groin. However then landed a pleasant left hook. Good calf kick from Holland. He appears to be somewhat higher now. Malott being very affected person. He steps in and so they lock up however break and Holland lands.
Good mixture from Malott with Holland on the fence and an enormous knee! Holland has to swing wildly to flee. The gang begins chanting “Mike-Y”. Holland comes out and lands a pleasant proper hand however Malott fires again. Malott’s nostril is bloodied now and Holland coming ahead to finish the spherical.
MMA Preventing scores the spherical 10-9 Malott, 19-19 total.
Apparently Holland remains to be in ache, or he was speaking about it between rounds. No time for that now although. This combat hangs within the stability.
Malott out to the middle however Holland flashing some offense exterior to maintain him at bay. Malott in all probability too affected person at occasions. Malott is available in with a mix however nothing actually lands as they each flail inside to no impact. Holland making an attempt to potshot at vary, Malott making an attempt to bursts of offense. Neither undertaking a lot.
Strong physique kick from Malott. Then a proper hand as they collide. Midway mark and it’s anyone’s combat.
Good left hook from Holland in shut. He’s upping his strain now, placing Malott on the backfoot and sticking the jab. Malott blasts in for a double, lifts and finishes the takedown. Holland rolls however Malott sticks with him, stays in guard. 90 seconds left.
Malott lands a strong elbow. Holland making an attempt to scramble however Malott smothers and lands a superb punch. Malott now has an arm-triangle choke!!!!!! WOW! Out of nowhere and Holland is in there. However he scrambles up! Malott holding Holland in opposition to the fence, tries for a takedown however can’t get it and this bizarre, terrible combat involves an finish.
In a simply world, this might be a draw as a result of some extent ABSOLUTELY ought to have been taken. As a substitute, it’s a Malott W.
MMA Preventing scores the spherical 10-9 Malott, 29-28 Malott.
Mike Malott def. Kevin Holland through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Credit score to Malott, he cracks a joke concerning the weirdness. “The sport plan to knee him within the balls labored effectively.” He then notes that Holland’s hips are “up by my nipples” earlier than pivoting to shoutout Canada.
He says he didn’t land any of his punches like he wished to, makes some notes about ways, and that’s all she wrote.
