Is it crazy to pick Kevin Holland in 2025? If so, then call me Crazy Eddie, and if you don't know who that is, look it up, wild story. Anyway, I'm picking Kevin here. I know his takedown defense is worse than my 6 year old daughter's, i know he seemingly doesn't care at all about his career or his record. But damnit, he's a good fighter. It's important to note that this is also at welterweight. So Kevin Holland, the very good striker with mediocre takedown defense is likely fighting for his job, at his appropriate weight class against a guy who hasn't fought in 2 years and doesn't have a win over a single active UFC fighter. I'm going it boys. Kevin is the pick.
Kevin Holland
Kevin Holland is an accurate and powerful striker who has struggled with takedown defense but has very solid grappling when he is taken down. Other than the wrestling defense, Kevin is a problem for a lot of people. He's a sniper on his feet with great accuracy and range. He can also grapple really well and be a competitive on the ground with his length. He is coming off the almost instant loss to Reneir de Ridder at 185lbs where it was clear he still has no takedown defense.
Gunnar Nelson
Gunnar Nelson is a grappler with long karate style striking where he bounces side to side and likes to use kicks to manage range. He then blitzes forward and lowers his level to shoot takedowns. Once it hits the ground he has solid ground and pound and very good BJJ. His issue though can be the takedowns themselves. Because he has that long stance it takes a lof of movement and theres a lot of ground to cover to shoot a takedown and het gets hit on those entries which is why he has a horrific striking differential of less than 2 to 3. He is coming back after 2 years away and a win over Bryan Barberena
