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Daniel Rodriguez Shocks Holland – UFC 318 Recap & Analysis

  • Writer: Abhinand PS
    Abhinand PS
  • Jul 20
  • 3 min read

Daniel Rodriguez vs Kevin Holland – UFC 318: Fight Recap & Expert Analysis

🥊 Fight Night Highlights

At UFC 318 (July 19, 2025), Daniel Rodriguez pulled off a big upset, winning a unanimous decision over Kevin Holland (29‑28 across the board) in a thriller that saw both fighters rocked, grappling, and exchanged momentum shifts MMAmania.com+15MMAmania.com+15Cageside Press+15Cageside Press.

🔍 Fight Breakdown


Man with tattoos smiles at a UFC press conference, holding a microphone against a backdrop with sponsor logos. He's wearing a black cap and shirt.

Round 1

Holland’s striking style dominated early, landing big kicks and punches. Rodriguez responded with a late countershot that visibly shook Holland Cageside Press.

Round 2

Rodriguez tagged Holland with a hard left to rock him. Holland scrambled back with a takedown attempt, yet Rodriguez nearly locked in a guillotine—then took top control before the final bell Cageside Press.

Round 3

Holland opened strong, knocking Rodriguez to the ground. The action peaked again when Rodriguez secured full mount, hitting heavy shots before Holland escaped. Rodriguez nearly applied a guillotine once more before riding out the clock Cageside Press.

📊 Key Stats & Tactical Table

Attribute

David “D‑Rod” Rodriguez

Kevin Holland

Final Stats

Unanimous win (29‑28)

First loss since June

Knockdowns

0

1 (in Round 3)

Submission Attempts

2 (guillotine, d’arce)

1 (armbar attempt)

Fight Momentum

Clutch striking & grit

Strong start, shaken late

🎯 What This Win Means for Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez, 38, earned a third consecutive victory—against ranked No. 13 welterweight Holland—reviving his UFC ranking hopes MMAmania.com+15MMAmania.com+15LowKickMMA.com+15Cageside Press+1LowKickMMA.com+1| BJPenn.com+1Covers.com+1. Before this fight, he called it “one of the biggest wins” of his career | BJPenn.com.

🧠 Holland’s Setback

Kevin Holland entered as a heavy favorite (around –525), riding a two‑fight winning streak, but this loss halts his momentum at 32 years old Cageside Press+10Covers.com+10Action Network+10.

📌 Expert Insights & Pre‑Fight Predictions

Analysts widely expected Holland to dominate with speed and attributes, but underestimated Rodriguez’s resilience. After early upsets in Rounds 2 and 3, bettors saw the fight's unpredictability—with some props favoring Rodriguez by decision (+3500) Tapology.

🔮 Aftermath & Division Outlook

  • Daniel Rodriguez will likely re-enter welterweight rankings and could land significant matchups next.

  • Kevin Holland must rebound from his first loss since January—possibly refocusing on striking or rematch momentum.

❓ FAQ

Q: How did Rodriguez beat Holland?A: He weathered Holland’s early offense, rocked him in Rounds 2 & 3, secured dominant positions (mount), and landed key strikes. Two judges noted he controlled late momentum Cageside PressLowKickMMA.com.

Q: Was Rodriguez’s win expected?A: No — Holland was a heavy favorite (–525). Rodriguez was seen as a long‑shot, but upset the odds with grit and counter‑striking Covers.comMMAmania.com.

Q: Will Rodriguez be ranked now?A: His third straight win and victory over a Top‑15 opponent likely push him back into the UFC welterweight rankings | BJPenn.com.

Q: What’s next for Holland?A: At 32 with recent momentum halted, Holland may need a confidence‑building fight—perhaps a rematch or stylistically favorable matchup to regain footing.

Q: Did they earn Fight of the Night?A: While not officially confirmed, most outlets labeled the bout a "Fight of the Night" candidate for its drama and momentum swings Cageside Press.

🔗 Internal & External Links

✅ Final Verdict

Daniel Rodriguez’s performance at UFC 318 was a defining moment—showing durability, intelligence, and grit to outlast and outfight a fast-rising star. Kevin Holland must regroup, but Rodriguez has reignited his UFC journey in emphatic fashion.

Top UFC 318 Coverage

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