LAS VEGAS – It was a difficult journey, but Kevin Holland thinks he’s a better fighter because of his recent travels.
“I almost didn’t get here, guys,” Holland told reporters including MMA Junkie at a UFC Fight Night 195 pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I almost didn’t make it to the fight. You’ve seen how hard it’s been to get a visa, right? I’ve been in Hendrickstan the whole time. You know what I mean?”
Much todo was made about Holland’s wrestling following back-to-back losses to Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson. After he dabbled with the idea of working with Daniel Cormier in Northern California, Holland (21-7 MMA, 8-4 UFC) ultimately decided to stay closer to home and partake in private lessons under a fellow Dallas native.
Where or what is “Hendrickstan,” exactly? Well, it’s the gym sessions Holland has been put through by former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks in anticipation of Saturday’s fight vs. Kyle Daukaus (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC).
“(I’ve) been wrestling my butt off,” Holland said. “I’m coming to fight. I’m not coming to wrestle. But if the guy comes to wrestle, I’m going to show him what Hendrickstan is all about. I’m glad I got my visa, baby.”
“Hendrickstan” is fairly uncharted waters, as Holland is the first UFC fighter to train under and be cornered by the former welterweight champion known as “Bigg Rigg.”
So what’s it like there? Holland explained Wednesday in only a way “Big Mouth” could.
“Unless you like men’s Only Fans or gay porn, don’t come,” Holland said. “Because it’s a whole lot of sensual grappling going on. You know what I mean? But it’s good for you.”
Jokes aside, Holland thinks the necessary adjustments have been made and is eager to show them off. If history has taught him anything, it’s that he comes back better after a skid.
“Yeah, we go back and we go to the drawing board,” Holland said. “We put some new armor on and we build the armor back up and f*ck sh*t up. That’s the goal. … I got seven losses. The last time I was up here, I was calling Israel Adesanya ‘the true loser.’ I guess I am one, too. But it’s OK, right? Because I fix my holes and I come back like a f*cking animal. So I hope he does shoot. I really, really hope he shoots. I hope he shoots a double-leg.”
UFC Fight Night 195 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card streams on ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.
What is ‘Hendrickstan’ like? Kevin Holland says if you don’t like OnlyFans, stay away