Kevin Holland has specific UFC marker in mind that will signal retirement
· Yahoo Sports
Kevin Holland thinks age is just a number. Fight miles? Those are perhaps a little bit more of a decision-maker.
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His UFC run has been anything but traditional. Few men can say they've raised their hands more – and been called on more – than "The Trailblazer." Given his vast experience in a short amount of time, Holland (19-15 MMA, 16-12 UFC) could be close to the top of the UFC appearance leaderboard in short time.
The man who currently holds the record, Jim Miller (47 fights) is still active. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (42 fights) is in second. Holland isn't sure he'll go that far. But to either tie or surpass the man in third place, Donald Cerrone? That seems attainable.
"The next fight will be the 30th UFC fight," Holland recently told MMA Junkie Radio. "After 30, I want to get to about 38. Thirty-eight is pretty good. Don't got to go to 40. So eight or nine more after the next one, then that's a wrap. I usually fight two or three times a year, not more than that. It shouldn't take long to get that done.
... For a second, it was 40. I think Donald Cerrone did 38. So why wouldn't I do 39? I didn't do it as good as him. But I did my number. I did it pretty fast, and it leaves me room to get out before I'm too old. That's a smooth-sailing victory for me. ... I'm just looking at wins and losses, overall. Wins and losses. I'm going to win the next and we'll be close to even. I think his was a little smoother and a little better. So props to Donald Cerrone. There's only one."
Holland, 33, returns at UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18 in Oklahoma City against former Oklahoma State University wrestling standout Jacobe Smith (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC). It's another fight fans have circled on their bout sheets – a reoccurring theme for Holland throughout his career. That sort of buzz has come far more often than discussion of serious title contention over the span of Holland's career – but that's something he's OK with.
"It never was the goal (to win the title)," Holland said. "Have a blast. Have fun. Remain who I am as a man until the end and surf off into the sunset with the kids. ... I never got close, so it was never obtainable, I guess. On top of that, it's a certain type of role model and stuff like that. I never felt like I was that type of guy. I was good for my kids, not nobody else's."
... If it's up to me, some of these guys end their career undefeated and have that Floyd Mayweather status, that Khabib status and run off into the sunset and have a great time. But this is what they put in front of me. I snatch that up and keep it f*cking pushing. I don't really care who they put in front of me. As long as they put a proper camp in, and I do what I'm supposed to do, I'll have a blast."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Kevin Holland has specific UFC marker in mind that will signal retirement