​The Big Friendly has fallen in a major setback, as a highly anticipated showdown in the UFC’s welterweight division appears to be off the table. Kevin Holland, a fan-favorite in the UFC and a staple of the division, was slated to collide with the undefeated rising prospect Jacobe Smith at UFC Oklahoma City, scheduled for next weekend on Saturday, July 18, 2026, inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. However, an injury to Holland has forced him out of the matchup, and the news was first reported by social media user Kevin K. At this time, it remains unclear whether Smith will remain on the bill or if the UFC will locate a short-notice replacement to preserve the event.
Holland, known as “Trailblazer,” enters this fight with a record of 29-15-1. He had just snapped a two-fight skid with a unanimous decision victory over Randy Brown at UFC 327, a win that provided a much-needed bounce-back performance. Prior to that triumph, Holland had endured back-to-back losses to Mike Malott and Daniel Rodriguez. Over the past several appearances, Holland has shown a pattern of alternating results, currently sitting at 4-4 across his last eight outings. The injury-induced withdrawal from this matchup disrupts a storyline that many fans had been eagerly following, given Holland’s veteran experience and dynamic fighting style, which has kept him in the conversation among the welterweight elite.
Jacobe Smith, by contrast, has emerged as one of the most violent and hyped prospects in the UFC’s welterweight division. The undefeated 12-0 fighter has already made a significant impression in a short amount of time. His latest performance solidified his rising stock in the UFC, as he dominated Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston to earn a Performance of the Night bonus. Smith had previously showcased his versatility, submitting Niko Price on short notice and then delivering a swift and decisive finish of Preston Parsons in just 73 seconds. The momentum behind Smith’s ascent has only grown with each impressive outing, making this injury setback particularly noteworthy for fans who anticipated a compelling clash with Holland.
With Holland out of the fight, the UFC Oklahoma City lineup currently stands as follows: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman, Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan, Jacobe Smith vs. TBD, Fatima Kline vs. Tabatha Ricci, Marc-Andre Barriault vs. TBD, Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez, Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes, Dione Barbosa vs. Anna Melisano, Austin Bashi vs. Jose Delgado, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs. Ko Seok-hyeon, Alvin Hines vs. RJ Harris, Felipe Franco vs. Levi Rodrigues, and Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicoll. The absence of Holland leaves a vacancy that the UFC may attempt to fill with a replacement opponent for Smith on short notice, but no official announcement had been made at the time of the report.
For fans looking to get a sense of the event’s other marquee encounters, UFC Oklahoma City promises a stacked card with significant implications for the welterweight division and the broader middleweight and lightweight matchups. The event’s card also features a mix of established veterans and up-and-coming contenders, providing a platform for fighters to solidify their standings and potentially set up future title considerations.
As the UFC continues to finalize the card, there is a possibility that Smith could remain on the event if the promotion lines up a last-minute opponent that meets the required criteria and provides a competitive matchup that aligns with the fans’ expectations. Alternatively, the promotion may opt to shuffle the lineup to preserve marketability and ensure a competitive main card. Updates are expected as injury assessments are completed and replacement negotiations progress.
If you’re following the latest developments, you can expect official confirmations from the UFC regarding any adjustments to the Oklahoma City card, including whether Smith will fight someone else on short notice or if the bout will be postponed or altered. For fans who want to keep track of the event’s schedule, you can check the UFC’s official website and their social media channels for timely updates and official bout announcements.
As a reminder, UFC Oklahoma City remains a focal point for the organization’s summer lineup, and fans will want to stay tuned for any changes that could impact the main card and co-main events. The event is a key stop in the lead-up to the rest of the year’s welterweight proceedings, with implications that could ripple through the division as the season progresses. For those who plan to follow the action, be sure to verify the latest bout order and potential replacement matchups as soon as official information is released by the UFC.