Kevin
Holland (26-12) will face Reinier
de Ridder (18-2) in a middleweight bout at UFC
311.
Multiple outlets confirmed the pairing following an initial report
from MMA Mania. UFC 311 takes place on Jan. 18 at
the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and also includes a light
heavyweight clash pitting Jiri
Prochazka against Jamahal
Hill.
Holland was named
Sherdog’s “Breakthrough Fighter of the Year” for 2020 thanks to
a 5-0
UFC campaign, but he has since fallen on more difficult times.
One of the most active fighters on the UFC roster, “Trailblazer”
has fought at least three times each year since 2020. However, that
has cost him a few fights against opponents such as Khamzat
Chimaev and Jack
Della Maddalena. Holland is currently 1-3 in his last four
bouts and is fresh off a corner stoppage loss against Roman
Dolidze at UFC 307
last month.
Meanwhile, de Ridder was undefeated in his first 16 pro outings, a
stretch that saw him become a two-division title holder in ONE
Championship. The Dutch standout went on to lose both belts to
Anatoly
Malykhin in consecutive losses before parting ways with the
promotion. “The Dutch Knight” picked up a stoppage win under the
UAE
Warriors banner earlier this year before signing with the UFC.
De Ridder submitted seasoned submission artist Gerald
Meerschaert in his UFC debut earlier this month.