Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez round-by-round updates: UFC 318: Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez: Live round-by-round updates

Kevin Holland and Daniel Rodriguez have circled each other for nearly three years. They were originally set to fight at UFC 279 in 2022 before a reshuffle forced Holland to face Khamzat Chimaev instead.

Now, at UFC 318, they finally meet in a welterweight bout with real implications for both. Holland is ranked No. 13 and is chasing his third straight win. Rodriguez is unranked but dangerous and eager to climb back into contention.

Holland has had one of the busiest UFC calendars in recent years. He’s coming off a slick submission win over Vicente Luque and has made clear his goal is to stay active and fight as many as seven times in 2025. He’s tall for the division, fights long, and brings power from awkward angles. His jiu-jitsu continues to improve, and his defensive wrestling has tightened up.

Rodriguez brings a very different style. A southpaw boxer, he thrives in tight range and doesn’t mind eating shots to give some back. His pressure and volume are what make him dangerous.

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For Rodriguez, this is a big opportunity. He’s won two in a row, including a recent TKO over Santiago Ponzinibbio. If he can close the distance and turn this into a gritty striking battle, he could make things difficult for Holland.

UFC 318 takes place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday, July 19, with early prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN2, ESPN+, and Disney+, prelims at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+. Meanwhile, the main card will air on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for the live coverage and play-by-play updates of the fight:

Round 1

About the author

Abhishek Ramadasan Nambiar is a journalist who covers MMA at Sportskeeda. As a long-time practitioner of various martial arts, seeing the fusion of different forms into a quest for the ultimate fighter felt both primal and profoundly technical. At Sportskeeda, Abhishek's primary goal is to offer a fresh and distinctive angle through his writing, aiming to provide readers with more than just the basics of MMA. Along with keeping them informed about the latest developments in the sport, he strives to offer valuable insights that enhance their understanding of MMA.

When not writing about MMA, Abhishek often spends time reviewing music or devouring Brian Evanson's and Blake Crouch's work. Sign up to receive news, regular updates, and exclusive coverage.

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Edited by Abhishek Nambiar