Kevin Holland sees Belal Muhammad as an easier fight than Dricus Du Plessis.
Holland, who has extensive experience under the UFC banner across multiple weight classes, was asked how he would stack up against both welterweight champion Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and middleweight champion Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC).
Having competed at both 170 pounds and 185 pounds, Holland (26-12 MMA, 13-9 UFC) likes his chances in the lower division more.
“Easier fight, I have to say honestly, probably (is) Belal,” Holland said on the Overdogs Podcast. “People can say what they want to say about Du Plessis, his style is ugly, his style is this, his style is that. He is a gritty motherf*ker to fight, and it doesn’t matter what you’re doing that night, you’re going to have to deal with that grit. I like grit so, I’m fine with that. Belal, I really honestly believe (if) I shut down the takedown, Belal gets knocked the f*ck out.”
After a drop down to welterweight, Holland has split results in his two appearances since moving back up to 185 pounds. He meets Reinier de Ridder (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Jan. 18 at UFC 311, which takes place at Inuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Middleweight is currently Holland’s home, but he doesn’t rule out a future drop back down.
“Going from ’85 to ’70, honestly, it’s not that bad,” Holland said. “It’s not that bad if I’m smart about it. So, if I space it out, if I’m lifting weights, and I’m actually eating and doing everything I’m supposed to do, it’s not bad at all. My body weight, it does this (up and down) very, very well. It’s like a basketball frame. It knows how to jump up and down.
“If I need to go play power forward for a position, I know how to put the weight on to go play power forward for a position. If I need to go out there and be more like a small forward, I know how to be a little bit lighter so I can be a little bit faster and stuff like that. So, it’s really never been that big of an issue for me and the athletic frame that I have. It’s just all about being smart. It’s about having the proper time and knowing exactly what I’m doing next.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
