Kevin Holland is one of the most exciting and unpredictable fighters in the UFC today. Known for his dynamic striking, slick submissions, and fearless approach to competition, Holland has become a fan favorite for his high-paced fights and charismatic personality.
Born and raised in Riverside, California, and later moving to Fort Worth, Texas, Holland began training in martial arts as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks. After making a name for himself on Dana White’s Contender Series, he officially joined the UFC in 2018. Since then, he has competed in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses and showcasing his versatility inside the Octagon.
Beyond his fighting career, Holland is known for his larger-than-life personality and his unique ability to talk to his opponents mid-fight. But his toughness isn’t limited to the cage—he’s also made headlines for stopping crimes in real life, helping law enforcement in multiple situations, including taking down an armed suspect at a shooting in a Houston sushi restaurant and stopping a carjacker while still holding his cup of coffee.
Now living in Fort Worth, Texas, Holland balances his career with fatherhood, raising his two children while continuing to push the limits in the UFC. As an athlete sponsored by Fre Nicotine Pouches, he embodies the brand’s commitment to intensity, focus, and living life on your terms.
Follow Kevin’s journey as he takes on the toughest fighters in the world—one knockout at a time.
His Training Must-Haves
✅ Music – I can’t go all out in training without having some good tunes in the air. My life needs a soundtrack.
✅ Training Partners – I need quality training partners that I can trust to give me the push without trying to injure me before a big fight.
✅ Lush Fre pouches - These are like a little NOS boost to a finely tuned engine and during training, they keep me feeling elevated and energized. Gotta stay Fre!
FRE Flavor and Strength
There’s something about that Lush flavor that I can’t get enough of. 9mg is more than enough to keep my head on a swivel, whether I’m dodging fists, hunting hogs or sorting bucking bulls. That's my pick!
(These questions will help shape the Q&A for the email and potentially for social media content.)
Fighting & Training
What drew you to MMA, and when did you know you wanted to be a fighter?
Man, I just love fighting. Always have. Grew up getting in fights and one day my high school teacher started teaching me Kung Fu. I thought I was the next Bruce Lee. Then I saw a real UFC event, and I was like, “Yep, that’s it.” Figured if I could talk as much as I fight, I’d be a star—turns out, I was right.
What’s the most challenging aspect of preparing for a UFC fight?
Probably cutting weight—cause let’s be real, I like to eat. Other than that, it’s just keeping my focus. I train all the time, so it’s more about locking in when it’s fight time.
How do you mentally reset after a tough round or a challenging fight?
I listen to my coaches, they’re there for a reason. Then I shake it off and go make my improvements. If I’m in there having fun, I’m dangerous and if I’m fighting, I’m havin fun!
What’s one fight-day routine or superstition you always follow?
Gotta take a nap. Fight day ain't fight day without a good nap. And I keep it light—joking, laughing, talking trash. If I start getting too serious, something’s off.
If you could give one piece of advice to an up-and-coming fighter, what would it be?
Stay in the gym, stay ready, and don’t be afraid to take fights. You never know when an opportunity is gonna come, and when it does, you better take it. Oh, and if you’re gonna talk trash, make sure you can back it up.
What are three essentials you always have with you on fight night?
My mouthpiece, my coaches, and my chain – the UFC has to bring me a cup for every fight so I don’t worry about that part.
How do you balance intense training with proper recovery?
Good food and good sleep. And sometimes a little superhero work—you know, stopping crime, chasing down bad guys, keeping the streets safe. That’s active recovery, right? Fre gives me that extra push on top of it!
What role does mindset play in the octagon, and how do you keep yours sharp?
Mindset is everything. If you go in there second-guessing, you’re already beat. I keep mine sharp by staying loose. We have this saying on the team - “If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing”, so we make it worthwhile by having fun.
How does FRE fit into your lifestyle as a fighter?
Energy, baby! Whether I’m training, fighting, hunting, or just running my mouth, I need that extra kick. FRE keeps me going when I’m out there doing my thing.
What’s next for you—any upcoming fights or personal goals?
You know me, I’m always down for a scrap. Got a fight coming up soon—Gunnar Nelson in London in March. And outside of fighting? Just hunting, making moves, and maybe wrangling some bulls. You never know what Big Mouth is gonna do next!
Fun & Personality-Driven Questions
If you could have any superpower to help you in a fight, what would it be? Teleportation.
I’d pop in, land a punch, disappear, and be chillin’ in the corner before they even know what hit ‘em. Plus, no more bad weight cuts—I’d just teleport to my fight weight.
What’s your go-to walkout song before stepping into the fight?
Whatever hits the mood right.
Sometimes NBA Youngboy, Mexican OT or even Shaboozey. It all depends on the feel cuz that walk is sweet with lots of emotions.
If you could fight in any location in the world, where would it be?
In the streets of Gotham City.
I feel like Batman would be in the crowd judging my form, and I’d love to partner up. See what the Bat Mobile has goin on.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about being a UFC fighter?
The amount of people who wanna grab you in pictures. Like, bro, take the pic but have some respect to boundaries. I’m not tryna get hugged up on by every drunk dude at the venue.
Do you have a lucky charm or pre-fight superstition?
Not really, but I do gotta talk a little trash before and during the fight. If I ain't running my mouth, something ain't right.
If you could let a robot handle one aspect of training or fighting for you, what would it be?
Weight cut. It’s like being hangry beyond what anyone knows. Plus you wanna drink everything but the UFC nutritionist gets me right . As long as we get within 2 pounds the night before weigh ins, we get a smoothie to curb all the anger.
Describe your ideal cheat meal after a big fight.
Burgers and cookies, for real. Nothing wrong with a good steak, as long as I have a Fre pouch after to wake me up!
Who’s your dream sparring partner—dead or alive, real or fictional?
Bruce Lee. Imagine the movement drills with that dude. Or maybe John Wick—just to see if he’s really about it.
If you weren’t a fighter, what sport would you compete in instead?
Pro-level street ball. Crossovers, trash talk, and putting people on skates? That’s basically what I do in the Octagon anyway. Or professional hunter – I fire kill shots, baby.
