Kevin Holland was just too much for Gunnar Nelson. Not many were expecting Holland, the betting underdog going into the fight, to give the Icelandic grappling powerhouse Gunnar Nelson hurdles like he did for much of the three rounds. ‘Trailblazer’ nearly knocked out ‘Gunni’ in the first round, but Nelson was literally saved by the bell. Nelson rallied back well in the second, but Holland looked more dangerous in the third and walked away with a unanimous decision win.
Even Holland was a bit surprised he won, as was Joe Rogan, who was watching the fight with his friends on the UFC London JRE Fight Companion episode.
“That’s legit. Damage. He did all the damage even though Gunnar had control of him, he did the damage. Gunnar did do an arm triangle, yeah. But Kevin definitely did more damage to him. It could have been a draw. Good for Kevin. He needs it. Yeah, he’s saying I knew it could go either way,” the UFC commentator said. Rogan really likes Holland at welterweight and even floated a blockbuster rematch with the explosive Joaquin Buckley.
“That’s [170 pounds is] his spot. He’s got legit championship potential. How about a rematch with him and Joaquin Buckley at 170? That would be crazy, you know. Bro, he’s [Buckley’s] a monster at 170. He’s a monster,” he added.
But Buckley, who was watching the fight at home, was not as impressed as Rogan at Holland’s victory. “Needed W for kev but you could’ve put gunner down congrats thou #UFCLondon,” ‘New Mansa’ complained on X.
Needed W for kev but you could’ve put gunner down congrats thou #UFCLondon
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) March 22, 2025
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