Canceled: UFC 279: Daniel Rodriguez vs Kevin Holland Picks, Predictions, Odds

This fight has been canceled. Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez fight Saturday in UFC 279 at the T-Mobile Arena. Holland enters this fight with a 23-7 record and has won 57 percent of his fights by knockout. Rodriguez enters this fight with a 16-2 record and has won 50 percent of his fights by knockout.

Holland has split his last 6 fights and is coming off a June win over Tim Means. Holland is averaging 3.90 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 54 percent. Holland is averaging 0.84 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 43 percent. Holland is coming off a submission win at UFC on ESPN 37 where he landed 53 total strikes. The bout earned performance of the night, the second straight fight Holland has earned the bonus. Holland will fight for the third time this year and has a chance to put his name in the ring for fighter of the year with a victory. Holland is a lengthy, athletic fighter with an 81-inch reach and impressive stand-up ability. He’s light on his feet, constantly moving and not giving his opponent an easy target. Holland has a boxing background with quick hands, good footwork and 13 career knockouts. A tough, confident fighter, Holland has produced knockouts in 3 of his last 4 victories. A black belt in Kung Fu and BJJ, Holland closes the distance well to land that big shot, and he’s gotten a lot more comfortable on the canvas over the years. Because of his length, Holland can really make life difficult for his opponent once on the ground, and he has 6 career submission victories. Five of Holland’s 7 career losses have come by decision. This will be Holland’s 10th career fight in Nevada.

Rodriguez has won 10 of his last 11 fights and is coming off an August (2021) win over Kevin Lee. Rodriguez is averaging 8.06 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 50 percent. Rodriguez is averaging 0.84 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 55 percent. Rodriguez is coming off a decision victory at UFC on ESPN 30 where he landed 137 total strikes and 57 percent of his significant strikes. Rodriguez is now 7-1 under the UFC banner, and 4 of his last 6 fights have gone the distance. Rodriguez will fight for the first time in over a year, his longest layoff since becoming pro back in 2015. Rodriguez is a striker at heart who works behind his jab and has a powerful left hand. He’s most effective on his feet, but he can be a bit wild at times and has issues finding his range. A southpaw with a pro boxing background, Rodriguez has 8 career knockouts and has never been finished despite 2 losses. This will be Rodriguez’s eighth career fight in Nevada.

Rodriguez has done better than expected under the UFC banner, and he deserves respect. However, he’s been out of the octagon for more than a year and now gets thrown against Holland, who is on an absolute tear right now and has clear advantages here. Holland is not only a savage on the feet with great pop, but he has a 7-inch reach advantage. Rodriguez is going to have to work through some traffic to land some shots, and that’s not what you want to hear. I’m not stepping in front of the Trailblazer here.

Give me Holland by knockout to shave down the price.