Holland Says He Was High Before Vettori Fight
In a January 2025 appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast, Kevin Holland said he was “high as a kite” during the week before his April 2021 fight with Marvin Vettori—but clarified that he was not high during the fight. MMA Fighting reported Holland’s comments from the interview.
Holland took the Vettori bout on nine days’ notice after Darren Till withdrew with a collarbone injury. It was Holland’s second main event in three weeks: he had lost a unanimous decision to Derek Brunson on March 20, 2021, then faced Vettori on April 10. Vettori won by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 50–44. ABC News’ report on the fight documents the short-notice circumstances and result.
When MMA Fighting published its report in January 2025, Holland was preparing to meet Reinier de Ridder on January 18, 2025. De Ridder later submitted him by rear-naked choke at 3:31 of the first round. Official event results record the outcome.
Holland’s wording matters: he described being intoxicated during the week before the Vettori bout, while denying that he was under the influence during competition. He also accepted the fight on short notice after Till withdrew. The later loss to de Ridder is a separate result and does not change what Holland said about 2021.
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