Kicking off Saturday’s main card for UFC, Kevin Holland fought Darren Stewart. here’s how the middleweight contest went.
Bout 9: Kevin Holland (18-5) vs. Darren Stewart (12-5) (Middleweight)
Both fighters were connecting with hard strikes early. Holland put Stewart against the cage in a clinch halfway through the round. A pause came after Holland took a knee to the groin. Stewart lost his clinch position when they resumed. Holland seemingly got hurt by a punch in the second minute. The fighters threw wild hooks at one another before clinching again. Holland landed some stomps to the feet of Stewart while in a clinch. The fighters left the clinch with more than a minute left in the round. Stewart tried for a takedown in the final minute of the round, only being able to put Holland against the cage.
Stewart caught a leg for a takedown early in the first round. Holland pushed Stewart away, bringing him back up to his feet. The referee intervened to allow Holland up after Stewart stayed on his feet for long. Holland landed a two-punch combination halfway through the round that seemingly hurt Stewart. Stewart stopped a takedown in the fourth minute, going to his knees while trying a guillotine choke. He let the put go, landing a few punches to the head before they stood back up. Holland went into a clinch late in the round after charging forward with punches. He landed knees to the body from the clinch. Stewart landed a takedown, although most of the action came after the horn went.
Stewart scored a single leg takedown in the first minute of the final round. Holland got to his feet, although Stewart was able to take him back down. Getting up again, the fighters fought for control against the cage in a body lock. The fight returned to striking before moving into a clinch again. Stewart got another takedown in the fourth minute of the fight, taking half guard on top. Stewart landed numerous punches to Holland, causing the referee to warn Holland to fight back. Stewart started to throw body punches and elbows while audibly taunting Holland. He continued with punches until the round ran out of time. Holland won via split decision after three rounds (29-28 Stewart, 29-28 Holland & 29-28 Holland).
RESULT: Kevin Holland def. Darren Stewart via Decision, Split
My Scorecard:
| Fighter | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
| Holland | 10 | 10 | 8 | 28 |
| Stewart | 9 | 9 | 10 | 28 |
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