MMA Preview – Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
KEVIN HOLLAND VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK FACTS
When is UFC 302? Sunday 1st June, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 302? Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 302? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 302
What channel is UFC 302 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 302? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
KEVIN HOLLAND VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK LOWDOWN
Kevin Holland (25-11(1)) has had to swallow two tough decision losses in a row to fellow strikers. He was coming off a superb knockout over Santiago Ponzinibbio (2023) and submission over Michael Chiesa (2023). He then fell short in a split decision to Jack Della Maddalena (2023) and was then outclassed by Michael Page at UFC 299. Those losses have dented his UFC record to 12-8(1).
Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-7(1)) has gone 3-2 since finally dropping down to middleweight. His dubs were vintage first-round knockouts over Sam Alvey (2022), Cody Brundage (2022) and Chidi Njokuani (2023). However, his losses were also vintage getting out grappled and submitted by Caio Borralho (2023) and Michel Pereira (2024).
KEVIN HOLLAND VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK PREDICTION
In true Holland fashion, he remains active and steps up on short notice. Even though he is stepping back up a weight class and Oleksiejczuk has come down from light heavyweight, Holland will boast a seven-inch reach and three-inch height advantage.
He takes on another out and out striker which will not deter him from trading on the feet. Expect him to leave his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in the locker again and hunt the chin. It will be a dangerous game plan as Oleksiejczuk possesses savage knockout power.
The Pole will have the speed and power advantage in his hands, but Holland will have the range. He will be more dynamic with his movement and mix his attacks up with leg and body attacks.
What swings this in Holland’s favour is his chin. If Oleksiejczuk cannot find the knockout, he struggles, and we expect Holland to absorb some punishment on his way to winning a decision. He does not make much sense from a betting point of view considering the odds and his form, so Oleksiejczuk is the value pick.
Prediction: Holland via Decision
Value Bet: Oleksiejczuk to win
