Derek Brunson vs Kevin Holland Predictions & Tips - Holland To KO Brunson

Derek Brunson vs Kevin Holland predictions for UFC Fight Night on Saturday, March 20
Brunson is currently ranked #7 in the middleweight rankings
Holland is ranked #10 by the UFC in the 185lb division
Holland is tipped to finish Brunson via KO/TKO
Preview, predictions and head to head stats

Kevin Holland celebrates after beating Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night (Getty Images)

Leigh Copson 19 Mar 2021

Share this article

Derek Brunson vs Kevin Holland Predictions & Tips

Derek Brunson represents a real test for Kevin Holland, but it is a test he can pass.

Brunson is the superior wrestler and if he can replicate his second and third round showings against Edmen Shahbazyan then he can grind out a victory.

The problem is that he has an unhealthy knack for leaving himself open to powerful strikes at times, resulting in five KO/TKO losses.

Holland showcased his stopping power by dispatching ‘Jacare’ in just 105 seconds in December.

It will be that finishing power that is highlighted once again here as he capitalises on an opening left by Brunson to take out his opponent inside five rounds.

Holland is riding a five-fight win streak with four stoppage wins
Holland has stopped three of his last five opponents in the first round
Brunson has been knocked out five times in his career
Four men have taken out Brunson inside the first round

Derek Brunson Form

Derek Brunson is once again knocking on the door to the top five in the UFC middleweight, ranking at #7 going into this fight.

Brunson’s quest for a middleweight title fight was derailed in 2018 with those back-to-back first-round knockout defeats to Israel Adesanya and Ronaldo Souza.

However, he has responded with his best run of form inside the Octagon since a five-fight win streak between August 2014 and September 2016.

The 37-year-old made a return to winning ways by besting Elias Theodorou over three rounds, and he followed that up by getting the nod from the judges after a 15-minute tussle with Ian Heinisch.

Brunson made just one visit to the Octagon in 2020, but he made it worthwhile, stopping Edmen Shahbazyan with strikes in the third round to record the 12th KO/TKO victory of his career.

That win took his record to 21-7, with 15 of those 21 successes coming via either strikes or submission.

Kevin Holland Form

Kevin Holland is ranked 10th in the UFC middleweight division as he currently enjoys his best run of form fighting for the premier organisation in mixed martial arts.

Holland rebounded from a debut defeat to Thiago Santos with a three-fight win streak that was abruptly halted by the second-round submission defeat to Brendan Allen.

The 28-year-old’s response to a second loss in the UFC was emphatic one though.

The American needed just 39 seconds to dispatch Anthony Hernandez and kick off a five-fight win streak in 2020 that has seen him stop four of his opponents.

Holland’s most recent victory came in December 2020 and it was the biggest win of his career to date.

Holland took out former Strikeforce middleweight champion and longtime contender Ronaldo Souza in less than two minutes, finishing ‘Jacare’ with strikes to improve to 21-5.