LAS VEGAS – Kyle Daukaus doesn’t see unfinished business with Kevin Holland.
Daukaus’ UFC Fight Night 193 matchup with Holland was ruled a no contest after an accidental headbutt led to him finishing a dazed Holland. Upon review, Daukaus’ submission win was overturned.
The pair then was rebooked for a matchup at UFC Fight Night 197 this past November, but Holland withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. But despite the abrupt ending to their first outing, Daukaus isn’t concerned with rematching Holland (21-7-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC), especially after Holland moved down a weight class.
“I know I got a lot of backlash from that last fight that I had with Holland, the whole no contest and everything, but I know I have to go out there and make a statement with every single fight,” Daukaus told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 201 media day. “Whenever I go in there, I’m trying to make a statement and just trying to get my name out there to get better and better opponents.
“I’m fine with the decision that happened. We all know what happened and it’s whatever. But he went to 170, so that’s fine with me.”
Daukaus returns Saturday against short-notice replacement Jamie Pickett in the UFC Fight Night 201 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
Kyle Daukaus says he’s moved on from Kevin Holland fight: ‘He went to 170, so that’s fine with me’