Kevin Holland returned to the Octagon at UFC 287 determined to get back into the win column after dropping his last two bouts against undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev and perennial contender Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Standing in his way was Argentinian striker Santiago Ponzinibbio. Coming off a third-round knockout against Alex Morono in December, Ponzinibbio looked to make it two-in-a-row against the fan-favorite Holland.  

Round 1 saw Kevin Holland utilizing his reach and speed right away, landing a sidekick to Ponzinibbio’s body. Both fighters traded leg kicks throughout the round, with Holland going upstairs with a kick and Ponzinibbio blocking. In the closing moments, Holland landed a backfist that dropped Ponzinibbio.

In Round 2, both fighters continued trading strikes with Holland appearing more confident. Ponzinibbio landed a combination and calf kick, but neither fighter was able to secure a significant advantage.

As Round 3 opened, Ponzinibbio targeted Holland’s lead leg, seemingly compromising his movement. However, Holland remained persistent and countered a calf kick with a devastating left hook that sent Ponzinibbio crashing face-first to the canvas. The referee immediately called for the stoppage, recognizing Ponzinibbio’s unconscious state.

Kevin Holland’s official win at 3:16 of Round 3 brought him back into the win column, delivering a thrilling knockout performance for fans. As always, UFC’s action-packed bouts continue to provide exciting and unexpected results, showcasing the raw talent and skill of fighters like Holland and Ponzinibbio.