Kevin Holland achieved his most significant triumph as a UFC welterweight over the weekend, despite suffering from an injury to his right hand that he obtained from a previous defeat to Stephen Thompson.

Holland was on a losing streak when he came up against Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 287, so this win marked a pivotal moment for him as he aims to get back on track. Though his injury did not seem to impact his performance, Holland admitted he was anxious about the fight and the damage that the four-ounce gloves could inflict on his hand.

Holland win has put him in a favourable position, with a record of 3-2 since transitioning to this weight category, and every victory at 170 pounds has ended in a knockout or submission.

Holland received surgery just after his fight with Thompson, training with one-hand until a few weeks before UFC 287. Although he managed to gain medical clearance for his hand in March, he felt it wasn’t completely up to scratch until the day of the fight.

Holland went with a different approach for this fight and relied on his jab instead of using his right hand. He took a focused approach when fighting the experienced Ponzinibbio and credited his creativity with his success. He felt the pressure of potentially facing three consecutive losses and was thankful that his off-hand worked in his favour.

Holland recognised his dad’s advice to learn how to use his left arm, which he appropriately did, and his left hand proved to be his new best friend. He defeated Ponzinibbio by a third-round knockout and was delighted to be able to succeed despite his handicap. His excellent performance earned him a win, which has put him in a better position in his career.