Derek Brunson has stated that rising contender Kevin Holland is trying to mimic UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya ahead of their much-anticipated bout in the main event of UFC Vegas 22.
MMA veteran in his own right, Brunson is looking to halt Kevin Holland’s momentum who recorded the most number of wins in a calendar year when he picked up five straight victories in the year 2020 including a spectacular KO win over Jacare Souza.
Derek Brunson not-so-subtly accusing Holland of biting Izzy’s style. This should be a good main event on Saturday. https://t.co/UK3Vawe4a0
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) March 17, 2021
“He tried so many times to make it personal. I am laughing, you could say whatever you want.”
“Holland would like to make it personal. He would like to follow the same thing that Izzy did with the hype, it’s funny. He is using the exact same thing Izzy said, he is calling me “bumson”. Bro, Izzy said the exact same thing, you are trying to do exactly what Izzy did.”
Brunson did not stop here and claimed that he was winning the first round when he fought against Israel Adesanya back in November of 2018. Brunson has often been criticized for his approach in the fight.
Also Read: Holland Trolls Israel Adesanya For His Bromance With Darren Till – SportsManor
He tends to keep his chin up and go for a kill, often leaving himself compromised. However, the American fighter has no plans of changing his fighting style.
“I am going to fight the way that I have been fighting my previous fights. I am gonna look to knock you out, regardless.” Brunson said in the pre-fight press conference.
The fight has gathered heat in the last couple of months, with Kevin Holland doing everything right in the lead-up. Needless to say, the Trailblazer will look to continue his winning streak with a statement win over Derek Brunson.
What does Israel Adesanya think of Kevin Holland?
Israel Adesanya appeared alongside ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani and expressed his views on Kevin Holland. The undisputed champion of the middleweight division stated that Holland will triumph over Brunson. However, he also added that Brunson has been a spoilt sport, and rightfully so.
Many believe that Derek Brunson is the gatekeeper of the UFC’s middleweight division. Brunson’s win over Edmen Shahbazyan was testimony that Brunson is not done, and won’t let a rising contender steal his shine. He is currently on a three-fight win streak and is looking at his last run for the middleweight gold.
Also Read: Kevin Holland Exposes “True Loser” Israel Adesanya, Calls Him Out For Lying