Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus rematch set for Nov. 13
Written by luck on October 5, 2021
Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus will settle their unfinished business.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Damon Martin confirmed with sources with knowledge of the matchup that the middleweights are set to rematch one another at a UFC event on Nov. 13 following their no-contest this past Saturday at UFC Vegas 38. ESPN was first to report the bout.
The first Holland-Daukaus meeting served as the UFC Vegas 38 co-main event and it ended in chaos when Holland was nearly knocked out cold by a clash of heads and subsequently submitted by Daukaus in the first round. Referee Dan Miragliotta signaled for a replay when the clash occurred, but did not pause the bout as Holland initially appeared to recover enough to defend himself; however, following Daukaus’ submission, Miragliotta conferred with referee Herb Dean and other officials and after reviewing the replay it was determined that the bout would be ruled a no contest.
Though Holland (21-7, 1 NC) said that Daukaus did enough to win the fight, he also campaigned for a rematch shortly after. On The MMA Hour on Monday, Holland said he felt that “business is not fully done yet” between he and Daukaus and it appears that the matchmakers agree. Holland now gets another chance to stop a two-fight losing streak.
“I didn’t know what I got hit with, I had no idea,” Holland said, recalling the incident. “Somebody said a headbutt and I was like, ‘Well, that sucks.’ I got choked, so at the end of the day it is what it is. I don’t think I would have got choked if I never got a headbutt, but I’m not one to make excuses so like I said, props to Kyle. If he feels like that’s good enough for him, that’s good enough for him. That’s not good enough for me. Like I said, if I’d had five minutes, I’d have been like, let’s go.”
“Honestly, I don’t remember defending the D’Arce choke, I don’t remember throwing up a f*cking triangle,” Holland added. “I don’t remember guard. All I remember is rear-naked choke, trying to fight the choke, swallowing some blood, and being like I’m in a f*cked-up position and I don’t know how I got here.”
On Daukaus’ side, he gets another chance to take Holland’s spot in the rankings. Daukaus (10-2, 1 NC) is 1-2 in the UFC so far.
Listen to more of Holland’s thoughts on the first Daukaus matchup and why he felt a rematch was necessary from The MMA Hour here:
