The uber-active Kevin Holland will be back in action later tonight (Sat., Oct. 18, 2025) at UFC Vancouver LIVE on ESPN+ from inside Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, but it may not be the last time fight fans see him compete this year.
Holland, who will meet Canada’s Mike Malott in tonight’s co-main event, will be stepping inside of the Octagon for the fifth time this year, living up to his billing as one of the promotion’s most active fighters. “Trailblazer” is just 2-2 in 2025, but he’s hoping to break this .500 mark with a win over Malott this weekend. That’s easier said than done, though, considering Malott is one of the most dangerous fighters in UFC.
If Holland is able to leave UFC Vancouver victorious and without serious injury, he’s looking to make another return by year’s end against welterweight veteran, Neil Magny. Holland also revealed that he’s looking to take it easy in 2026 before trying to fight seven total times in 2027. The 27-fight UFC veteran has some grand plans.
“Put the work in on this dude, then hopefully run something back and get our sixth fight of the year,” Holland told MMA Junkie earlier this week. “Next year will be a chill year. But in 2027, I’ll fight seven times. I’ve fought enough this year where next year I can just relax a little bit. Let the brain rest up, let the body heal up and I’ll be ready to get back out there the year after. I’d like to say whatever happens on Saturday, I’ll get one more in. Saturday night, I’m f—king sh-t up. So I’m for sure getting one more in.”
Holland, 32, is certainly capable of fighting once more this year and even pulling through on his lofty aspirations for 2027. However, he has never fought more than five times for UFC in a calendar year so he’d have to stay perfectly healthy in order to reach an even higher level of activity. It all starts this weekend against Malott, who Holland believes isn’t on his level.
“I thought it was Matthews, but it’s no big deal,” said Holland. “I’ve seen the guy fight. The guy is a wonderful fighter, but he’s just a step behind the level of competition that I am, and he’s two steps behind the level of competition I usually lose to – so it’s just not going to be a good one.”
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Vancouver fight card on fight night, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card matchups scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vancouver news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “De Ridder vs. Allen” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.