​Kevin Holland lives by the idea that age is just a number, but when it comes to mileage, those are the factors that truly influence decisions. His UFC journey has never followed a conventional path. Few fighters can claim they’ve raised their hands as often—and been summoned to do so as frequently—as “The Trailblazer.” Given his wealth of experience accrued in a relatively brief period, Holland (19-15 MMA, 16-12 UFC) could soon sit near the top of the UFC’s appearances leaderboard in a short span of time.
The man currently leading the tally, Jim Miller with 47 fights, remains active. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski sits in second with 42 fights. Holland isn’t certain he’ll reach that far, but tying or surpassing the man currently in third place, Donald Cerrone, seems within reach. “The next fight will be the 30th UFC fight,” Holland recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “After 30, I want to get to about 38. Thirty-eight is pretty good. Don’t need to go to 40. So eight or nine more after the next one, then that’s a wrap. I usually fight two or three times a year, not more than that. It shouldn’t take long to get that done… For a second, it was 40. I think Donald Cerrone did 38. So why wouldn’t I do 39? I didn’t do it as good as him. But I did my number. I did it pretty fast, and it leaves me room to get out before I’m too old. That’s a smooth-sailing victory for me. … I’m just looking at wins and losses, overall. Wins and losses. I’m going to win the next and we’ll be close to even. I think his was a little smoother and a little better. So props to Donald Cerrone. There’s only one.”
Holland, now 33, is set to return at UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18 in Oklahoma City, facing former Oklahoma State University wrestling standout Jacobe Smith (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC). It’s another matchup that has fans circling his name on their schedules—a recurring theme throughout Holland’s career. That buzz has often outpaced talk of legitimate title contention, but Holland is content with that reality.
“It never was the goal to win the title,” he said. “Have a blast. Have fun. Remain who I am as a man until the end and surf off into the sunset with the kids. … I never got close, so it was never obtainable, I guess. On top of that, it’s a certain type of role model and stuff like that. I never felt like I was that kind of guy. I was good for my kids, not anybody else’s.”
If it were his choice, some fighters would retire undefeated, enjoying the Floyd Mayweather or Khabib-like legacy and a peaceful sunset. Instead, Holland accepts whatever path is laid before him. He’s not picky about opponents, so long as they bring a solid camp and a proper challenge. He’s ready to perform, secure wins, and keep pushing forward as long as the circumstances allow.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie. It highlights Kevin Holland’s specific UFC milestone that could signal retirement, a marker he himself has mapped out with careful precision. The plan involves a measured number of appearances and a clear sense of timing in relation to his career arc, all while staying true to the person he is outside the cage and the family life that grounds him.