Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland headline a stacked card at the Amway Center
Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland will meet in a mouth-watering clash to headline a stacked card as the UFC visits Orlando for the first time in five years.
Holland will enter the fight unranked and will be hoping to change that by knocking off the nearly 40-year-old Thompson who comes into the fight ranked number six in the division.
In the co-main event Bryan Barberena takes on Rafael dos Anjos in an interesting welterweight clash between two fighters in different stages of their career.
One of the most popular fighters in the UFC Tai Tuivasa returns this Saturday to face Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight clash.
UFC veteran Thompson returns to the Octagon to face a fan favourite Holland. Thompson will be looking to break a two-fight losing streak. Whereas Holland will be hoping to bounce back after a crushing defeat to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279. Thompson’s latest defeats have come to Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad. These two fighters are known for having the ability to grapple extremely well. He will not have to worry about the fight going to the ground with Holland. This is because Holland’s striking is one of the main aspects of his game. This was illustrated by him knocking out the likes of Joaquin Buckley. However, he has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but he rarely shows his offensive grappling. It should be a great fight with it being a must win for both fighters.
Thompson on the fight.
“He’s 6-foot-3, he’s got an 80-inch reach, which is going to be a fun way of trying to figure out a way to get around that reach.”
“It’s like a game plan itself and having to adapt out there because I don’t know what else he’s worked on. He’s one of those guys that gets better as he continues to fight.”
In the co-main event former UFC lightweight champion Dos Anjos will take on the entertaining Barberena. Looking at how the fight could play out, Dos Anjos will have to try and avoid Barberena’s knockout power. Yet, Barberena will do anything to avoid the fight going to the ground.
Tuivasa has grown to be one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster. He is known for his flashy knockouts over the likes of Derrick Lewis. His opponent Pavlovich also finished Lewis within a round in his latest fight. This is going to be a very entertaining contest as there is always fireworks with Tuivasa.
It should be a great fight night in Orlando.