Till Injured, Hermansson Draws Holland For Dec. 5 Main Event

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Darren Till has been forced out of his main event clash with middleweight contender Jack Hermansson on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas due to injury, per a recent report by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

As a result, streaking middleweight contender Kevin Holland will step up on short notice to fill in for Till. Holland’s bout with Hermansson will still serve as the main event.

Till, who made his UFC middleweight debut just over one year ago, is coming off a competitive loss to Robert Whittaker this past July on “Fight Island.” The former UFC welterweight title challenger was hoping to position himself for a shot at the 185-pound belt with a decisive win over Hermansson. Till will now have to wait until 2021 to initiate his middleweight takeover.

As for Holland, who has one month to prepare for one of the most difficult outs in the division, this will be his fifth Octagon appearance of 2020. Thus far, “Trail Blazer” has won four total fights, including a recent knockout slam of Charlie Ontiveros (see it HERE) and a finish over viral knockout sensation Joaquin Buckley (highlights HERE). This will be Holland’s first UFC main event bid and a chance to prove he’s a top 10 fighter at 185 pounds.

After news leaked of Till’s withdrawal, which apparently stems from a knee injury he suffered against Whittaker, “Gorilla” took to social media to bless the new middleweight main event.

“Good luck to both guys,” wrote Till via Twitter. “I’ll be back next year. I hope Kevin gets to showcase himself against one of the top guys of the division… he’s as game as they come!”

While the loss of Till is certainly going to hurt the Dec. 5 card at least the promotion was able to slot Holland in and keep Hermansson in the main event.

As of now, who do you have winning the new 185-pound matchup?

Sound off!

Stick with Mania for more ‘Hermansson vs. Holland’ fight card news.