The welterweight showdown between Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez is set to ignite UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. This pivotal clash pits two entertaining strikers with fan-friendly styles and a history of flashy finishes in a fight that could vault the winner into the top 10 of the welterweight rankings.
Kevin Holland
Kevin "Trailblazer" Holland (28–13, 1 NC) is a long, rangy, and unorthodox fighter known for his striking creativity, slick grappling, and willingness to fight anyone, anytime. With 14 knockouts and 9 submissions, Holland is a proven finisher who thrives in chaos and has evolved significantly since returning to welterweight.
After a tough run that included losses to top-tier names like Michael Page and Roman Dolidze, Holland has bounced back in 2025 with back-to-back wins over Gunnar Nelson (unanimous decision) and Vicente Luque (anaconda choke). His win over Luque in June was especially impressive, earning him Performance of the Night and showcasing his improved submission game and finishing instincts.
At 6'3" with an 81" reach, Holland uses his length to manage distance effectively, and his cardio and chin allow him to stay dangerous deep into fights. However, he can be inconsistent defensively, and he's struggled against strong pressure wrestlers and technical volume strikers.
Kevin Holland – Last 5 Fights:
1. ✅ Win vs. Vicente Luque – Submission (Anaconda Choke) (UFC 316, June 7, 2025)
2. ✅ Win vs. Gunnar Nelson – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC FN: Edwards vs. Brady, March 22, 2025)
3. ❌ Loss vs. Reinier de Ridder – Submission (RNC) (UFC 311, January 18, 2025)
4. ❌ Loss vs. Roman Dolidze – TKO (Corner Stoppage) (UFC 307, October 5, 2024)
5. ✅ Win vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk – Technical Submission (Armbar) (UFC 302, June 1, 2024)
Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel "D-Rod" Rodriguez (17–4) is a tough, gritty southpaw striker with crisp boxing and underrated grappling. While not currently ranked, he was once a fringe top-15 contender and holds wins over the likes of Kevin Lee, Mike Perry, and Li Jingliang.
Rodriguez hasn’t fought since a submission loss to Ian Garry in May 2023, where he was outclassed by the Irish prospect’s striking and finished in the first round. A USADA suspension followed, keeping him inactive for over a year. That said, a focused Rodriguez still poses a serious challenge for anyone in the division.
Rodriguez’s success comes from volume, forward pressure, and his heavy straight left. He lands at a high clip and maintains a steady pace over three rounds. But his footwork can be static at times, and he’s vulnerable to fast-twitch counters and dynamic movement, traits Holland brings in spades.
Daniel Rodriguez – Last 5 Fights:
1. ❌ Loss vs. Ian Machado Garry – Submission (Head Kick & RNC) (UFC on ABC, May 13, 2023)
2. ❌ Loss vs. Neil Magny – Submission (D’Arce Choke) (UFC Fight Night, November 5, 2022)
3. ✅ Win vs. Li Jingliang – Decision (Split) (UFC 279, September 10, 2022)
4. ✅ Win vs. Kevin Lee – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ESPN, August 28, 2021)
5. ✅ Win vs. Mike Perry – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ABC, April 10, 2021)
Prediction
This fight is a striking fan’s dream: long-range sniper vs. pocket boxer. Holland holds a massive height (6'3" to 6'1") and reach (81" to 74") advantage, and his speed and unorthodox angles could overwhelm Rodriguez, who often relies on rhythm and fundamentals.
Rodriguez will likely try to pressure early, closing the distance and drawing Holland into boxing exchanges. But if Holland stays composed, uses his jab and kicks, and mixes in grappling threats, he should be able to frustrate and outmaneuver D-Rod.
The layoff and recent losses make Rodriguez a bit of a wild card, but stylistically, this is Holland’s fight to lose.
Prediction:
Kevin Holland def. Daniel Rodriguez via TKO (Punches) in Round 2.
Expect a high-volume first round with Holland picking Rodriguez apart at range before landing something flashy or opportunistic on the feet in the second.