AUSTIN, Texas – Tim Means knows Kevin Holland can talk the talk – and he prepared for that.
Means (32-12-1 MMA, 14-9 UFC) meets Holland (22-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC) on the UFC on ESPN 37 main card Saturday in Austin, Texas. When Holland announced the matchup on social media, he took a shot at Means’ “Dirty Bird” nickname and said he planned to “choke the chicken” – “Dirty Bird” Means – in Austin.
Means just had to not let it faze him.
“I think it’s going to be a fist fight. He’s done a good job talking, and I came down here to pick a fight,” Means said. “I saw a headline when the fight got announced that he’s going to be ‘choking his chicken in Austin.’ I left it at that. I didn’t even look at the video. Holland’s a good character. He’s a good guy – humble. But very colorful and knows how to sell a fight. He’s going to get in there and meet me in the middle and we’ll figure it out.”
The 38-year-old Means has won three straight fights – his best stretch since 2015. But he said a win over someone like Holland is just another win.
It’s appears to be a business trip for him.
“I’m not sure what it does for me except gives me my fourth straight win,” he said. “I’m not looking to build anything off him. I’m looking to get paid, get in a fight and make weight and just put on a fun, fan-friendly fight.”
Check out Means’ full interview in the video above.
UFC on ESPN 37 takes place Saturday at Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
Tim Means not worried about Kevin Holland’s talk, just wants a fan-friendly fight
