This is the live blog for Kevin Holland vs. Mike Malott, the welterweight co-main event for UFC Vancouver on Saturday night at Rogers Arena.
Picking up the mantle of fighters like Donald Cerrone before him, Holland is one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster. This is Holland’s 28th fight in just seven years, and his fifth of 2025 tying the record for most bouts in a year (he’s already done it once before). If he can get out of this fight relatively unscathed, Holland could push to break the record later this year.
Pushed as the face of Canadian men’s MMA, Malott previously had an opportunity to break into the top 15 of the welterweight rankings but fell short against Neil Magny. But after back-to-back wins over Trevin Giles and Charles Radtke, Malott now gets another shot at moving into the top of the 170-pound division.
Check out the live blog for Holland vs. Malott below.
Well, that feature fight was exactly what we though it might be. Classic Chito and classic Zahabi. Now we’re onto a matchup that simply cannot be boring.
Kevin Holland is almost always fun, and same for Mike Malott. Let’s enjoy.
Malott out to his usual Sum 41. He’s in the red shorts and looks to be in tremendous shape. Also, apparently his brother’s hockey game is happening right now, so he’ll be fighting right when his brother is skating around.
Holland walking out with swagger, despite the boos. He’s singing whatever his song is (I can’t make it out) and he’s rocking black shorts.
Holland is 1 years younger, 2 inches taller, and has an 8-inch reach advantage. This one is close to a pick’em on the odds, with Holland at -105 and Malott at -115.
Joe Martinez gets things going and this crowd is loud for Malott. He stands still, shifting his weight while he’s announced. Holland is smirking, moving around, and egging the crowd on as he is announced.
Dan Miragliotta is the referee and the crowd boos him loudly.
Holland tries to touch gloves at the start but Malott denies him. Both men out in orthodox. Holland looking fluid early, snapping his jab. Malott backs him up with a strong right hand. Malott testing the waters with a calf kick but Holland counters with a lead hook. Tepid start to things here over the first 90 seconds.
Holland comes in and Malott lands a nice left hook before exiting. Malott throws a huge hook that just misses. Holland catches a low kick and sits Malott down! Right hand put him on his butt and Holland now standing overtop and punching with those long arms. Malott is OK though and he hits a sweep on the leg!
Holland has to roll out and Malott is all over him but Holland back up. Malott with a clinch takedown but Holland rolls through and back to the feet! Fun stuff!
Malott now in southpaw as they are back at range. But Malott lands a push kick to the groin and they’re taking some time. But Holland doesn’t take much and we’re back at it.
Nice right hand from Holland on the restart buzzes Malott. Holland walking in recklessly and Malott swings a huge shot that Holland has to duck. Malott grabs a clinch and tries for a throw but Holland with good balance. OOOOFFF. HUGE knee to the groin from Malott and Holland is on the floor right now. That was a tough one.
The crowd is booing the replay, Malott is arguing his case to Miragliotta, and Holland is down. That was definitely low. The knee may also have hit the body, but it clearly moved the cup, too. And Holland is taking his time this time around. Now the question is whether a point gets deducted.
The crowd is LOUD. They are upset. Holland is finally on his feet. He’s got plenty of time still and should take it, because he doesn’t look great right now. Deep breaths. He’s shaking things out. 65 seconds left. And Holland is saying something to Miragliotta. Doesn’t sound good. Miragliotta tells Malott any other low blows will result in a point deduction. Always cheat, kids!
Holland takes some extra seconds but chooses to continue. By the rule of law, this fight should be over and a No Contest. Holland is clearly still compromised and just moving around away from Malott. Malott is not attacking though. Gentlemanly of him.
Holland is still touching his groin, trying to feel good. A clinch and some punches inside. Holland is still in clear and obvious pain and walks away. Such a weird scene as the round ends.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Holland.
Miragliotta brought the doctor in, who asked Holland if he can fight. He simply refused to answer. They talked so much and finally the fight starts but this is a full blown cluster. Round started though.
Malott coming forward early. All this weirdness seems to have effected Malott, too. He’s not attacking. Finally comes in and lands a right hand over the top. Holland is starting to throw a little. Maybe he’s feeling better. Holland with a good left hook.
Malott still holding the center and lands a good right hand. Holland with some light low kicks. Malott has stopped doing that after the low blows. Good left hook from Malott as Holland gets caught napping. Slow output from both men this round.
Malott with a teep to the body that JUST missed the groin. But then landed a nice left hook. Good calf kick from Holland. He seems to be a little better now. Malott being very patient. He steps in and they lock up but break and Holland lands.
Good combination from Malott with Holland on the fence and a big knee! Holland has to swing wildly to escape. The crowd starts chanting “Mike-Y”. Holland comes out and lands a nice right hand but Malott fires back. Malott’s nose is bloodied now and Holland coming forward to end the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Malott, 19-19 overall.
Apparently Holland is still in pain, or he was talking about it between rounds. No time for that now though. This fight hangs in the balance.
Malott out to the center but Holland flashing some offense outside to keep him at bay. Malott probably too patient at times. Malott comes in with a combination but nothing really lands as they both flail inside to no effect. Holland trying to potshot at range, Malott trying to bursts of offense. Neither accomplishing much.
Solid body kick from Malott. Then a right hand as they collide. Halfway mark and it’s anybody’s fight.
Nice left hook from Holland in close. He’s upping his pressure now, putting Malott on the backfoot and sticking the jab. Malott blasts in for a double, lifts and finishes the takedown. Holland rolls but Malott sticks with him, stays in guard. 90 seconds left.
Malott lands a solid elbow. Holland trying to scramble but Malott smothers and lands a good punch. Malott now has an arm-triangle choke!!!!!! WOW! Out of nowhere and Holland is in there. But he scrambles up! Malott holding Holland against the fence, tries for a takedown but can’t get it and this weird, awful fight comes to an end.
In a just world, this would be a draw because a point ABSOLUTELY should have been taken. Instead, it’s a Malott W.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Malott, 29-28 Malott.
Mike Malott def. Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Credit to Malott, he cracks a joke about the weirdness. “The game plan to knee him in the balls worked well.” He then notes that Holland’s hips are “up by my nipples” before pivoting to shoutout Canada.
He says he didn’t land any of his punches like he wanted to, makes some notes about tactics, and that’s all she wrote.
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