Kevin Holland to move up to middleweight after dismantling Michael Chiesa at UFC 291

If Kevin Holland can keep the fight standing, he always puts on a thrilling show. While competing as a middleweight, his wrestling shortcomings were clear. In Salt Lake City, at UFC 291, Holland participated. To pacify his detractors, he shockingly crushed Michael Chiesa in the opening round. He made jokes about his future, which included eating steak and having sex, after the fight.

"I only came down to 170 for a BMF belt. If there’s going to be no BMF at 170, I’m gonna ship my black ass back to 185. I like to eat steaks and have sex to make weight.” Fight fans and the commentary team were surprised to hear such a revelation from the American fighter. It is safe to say that Holland was a decent addition to the PPV card." Holland said after the fight.

Against Chiesa, Holland showed off his growth as a fighter. Chiesa is a skilled wrestler and ground fighter. All of Chiesa's takedown attempts were met with resistance from Holland. Holland demonstrated how his grappling defence has improved. He hit Chiesa with more blows before dropping him.

Holland then submitted Chiesa with a D'Arce choke, forcing him to submit by tapping out. With these losses, Chiesa might be leaving the UFC. Vicente Luque and Sean Brady defeated him. Now his third straight defeat came at the hands of Kevin Holland. Chiesa might eventually retire if things do not go his way.

After defeating Michael Chiesa, Kevin Holland said he wanted the BMF belt. However, it no longer remains in the welterweight division. Hence, Holland reiterated his desire to fight in the middleweight division again. The American fighter had spoken about not wanting to cut all that much weight earlier this year.