Published 01/29/2023, 4:00 PM EST
After scathing allegations were laid on him, UFC welterweight Kevin Holland has finally responded to the claims made by Joseph Holmes. In an Instagram video, Holmes had accused the 30-year-old of assaulting him backstage at XKO 60, an MMA event. Holland, in response, posted a challenge on his Instagram story. The allegations first came to light when Joseph Holmes, in a 20-minute long video, claimed the welterweight along with his crew had attacked him as he was about to make his way back from the event.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joseph P. Holmes (@uglymanjoe)
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Now, along with the story, ‘Trailblazer’ has also shared his part of the incident on Instagram. Read on to find out more about this incident.
Joseph Holmes put forward a serious accusations against Holland
As per Holmes, the attack happened Friday night at a local MMA event in Dallas. He claims that Holland stopped him midway as he was climbing up some stairs during the event. Eventually, as per his statement, ‘Trailblazer’s crew ganged up on him and ended up violently assaulting him.
“They beat me up, they beat me down, they stomped on me while I was down. F*ck, Kevin Holland. F*ck that guy. I just got fricking jumped.” Claimed the 27-year-old Middleweight.
Read More: ‘President of 170 Lbs’ Kevin Holland Details His Fighting Journey
Holmes, who likes to go by a unique cage name ‘Ugly Man’, stated that he challenged Holland as well.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 08: (R-L) Kevin Holland punches Joaquin Buckley in their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“I looked at Kevin and said, ‘Sign the contract when it comes. We’re going to send you a contract, sign it when it gets there.’ You’re acting all big and tough, meanwhile your boyfriends are just hitting me on the back of the head for what? Make sure you sign the f*****g contract.”
Kevin Holland responds via an Instagram story
Holland eventually responded to the allegations on his Instagram story. He also posted his side of the story in a video as well.
“Let’s be real, they won’t let me fight dude but you can put $20k on sparring … Piss or get off the pot.” read Trailblazer’s story in response to Holmes.
The 30-year-old, while sharing his side, claimed a somewhat different take on the incident. As per Holland, it was Holmes who initiated the scuffle. “He didn’t want to walk to the other side of the stairs where the guy he was beefing with was. So he walked to my side of the stairs, like I was going to move. I was like, Bro, chill out. As soon as I put my hand up to say chill out, he grabbed me.” stated the welterweight.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by kevin holland (@trailblaze2top)
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“He was (making noises) all this stuff he talks about. I don’t remember none of this stuff. All I remember is him getting in a fight, and me breaking it up.” Holland even continued to state that Holmes was using his name for clout. “Don’t use my name for clout, don’t put me in your BS.” were his words.
More on the story behind the enmity between the duo
Fans would certainly be wondering why a scuffle like this would break out completely out of the blue. As per a report by MMA Junkie, the duo has had a history. The differences between the duo seemed to rise from the fact that Holmes dated one of Holland’s uncle’s ex-girlfriends. Funnily enough, that seems to be the major reason for the bad blood between the two UFC fighters.
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With the challenge thrown by Kevin Holland, what are the chances that Joseph Holmes accepts it? Since Trailblazer has a fight set up already for UFC 287 on April 9th against Santiago Ponzinibbio, do you think he will commit to this challenge? Let us know in the comment section below.