Kevin Holland might already have his upcoming fight lined up.
Holland (21-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who capped off his perfect 2020 with a brutal knockout of Jacare Souza this earlier Saturday at UFC 256, has called out Derek Brunson.
Speaking to ESPN, Holland discussed why he wants Brunson subsequent and claimed the two have background. When Brunson was receiving prepared to encounter recent UFC middleweight winner Israel Adesanya in 2018, he requested Holland for his help, but Holland declined.
That led to a number of again-and-forth non-public messages on social media and at any time due to the fact then, Holland has wanted to battle him.
“We’ve experienced a couple of small talks,” Holland said. “We were being intended to be on the same card when he fought Edmen Shahbazyan. I was meant to be battling Trevin Giles. That combat fell aside. I was reduced-essential hoping his combat fell aside so I could fight him that night time. (It) didn’t operate out. I was seeing him heat up in the back space. He just appears to be unusual when he warms up.
“He just strikes so funny to me. I want to conquer him up because I really do not like the way he strikes. He just seems to be awkward. It’s like a disrespect to placing. It’s sad that he’s knocked out strikers in advance of with that bizarre striking.”
Holland, who also named out Khamzat Chimaev immediately after halting Souza, took to Twitter to blast the “wannabe gangster” for not responding. Whether or not or not he was the concentrate on of that tweet, Brunson (21-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) was content to oblige to his callout.
“Ha ha I take . Never operate now mfer! See you soon
“
Ha ha I accept .
Really do not run now mfer!
See you before long 😤⚔️ https://t.co/pV0LR3Hfi5
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2020
Brunson then built positive to right tackle Holland’s callout in one more Tweet.
“Oh yeah … mail me the agreement!
“
Oh yeah … mail me the deal! 😤 pic.twitter.com/mDQ4vw2FJi
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2020
“Guess who ain’t combating 6 times in 2021 , 60 day suspension otw!
@Trailblaze2top”
Guess who ain’t fighting 6 instances in 2021 , 60 working day suspension otw ! 😤
@Trailblaze2leading https://t.co/Z1P34Eptrg
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2020
Making the most of arguably his best run in a long time, Brunson has won three in a row. Most recently, he bounced Shahbazyan from the ranks of the unbeaten in August.