MMA Preview – Kevin Holland vs Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 287
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KEVIN HOLLAND VS SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO FACTS
When is UFC 287? Saturday 9th April, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 287? Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 287? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 286
What channel is UFC 287 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 287? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
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 SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO LOWDOWN
Kevin Holland (23-9(1)) returns after his three-round beating from Stephen Thompson (2022). That ‘Fight of the Night’ became his second loss on the trot after getting mauled by Khamzat Chimaev (2022) and now he is desperate to show what he is really capable of in the welterweight division.
Santiago Ponzinibbio (29-6) prevented his own three-fight skid back in December last year. He was coming off tight split decision losses to Geoff Neal (2021) and Michel Pereira (2022) but wound back the clock against Alex Morono knocking him out in the third round.
KEVIN HOLLAND VS SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO PREDICTION
It is hard to see this being anything other than fireworks here. Holland’s baffling desire to keep his fight with Thompson on the feet makes him tough to predict. He is a good grappler with slick jiu-jitsu and is foolish not to threaten it.
Ponzinibbio will hope this is also a kickboxing fight and despite giving up eight inches in reach and four in height, he has the speed and power to rock Holland. That said, even if Holland does not want to grapple, we still back him to get the job done.
He is unorthodox, unpredictable and has the power to knock Ponzinibbio out. His four rounds with Thompson will actually give him more confidence and if he tightens up his defence, he will have a fun night.
Ponzinibbio is always a threat on the feet especially if Holland goofs around. There is value on him as the underdog, but on paper Holland should take this.
Prediction: Holland via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Ponzinibbio to win
