"Not just a style difference. A specialist in that style" - Aljamain Sterling believes Kevin Holland 'received the shortest end of the stick' in fighting Khamzat Chimaev to save UFC 279
Khamzat Chimaev was scheduled to take on Nate Diaz at UFC 279. But after he missed weight by 7.5 pounds, the UFC was forced to reshuffle the card.
Chimaev wound up taking on Kevin Holland, Li Jingliang had a new opponent in Daniel Rodriguez, and Nate Diaz ended up headlining the card with Tony Ferguson.
Aljamain Sterling believes that Holland was the most disadvantageously matched due to the reshuffling of the card.
Khamzat Chimaev flipped off the crowd after being showered with boos 🗣 #UFC279 https://t.co/kbldRiwk6z
Kevin Holland was set to take on Daniel Rodriguez but he ended up with a much tougher matchup in Khamzat Chimaev. 'Borz' is ranked much higher than 'D-Rod' and has been steamrolling through competition ever since he entered the UFC.
The fight opened with a controversial takedown and ended with a first-round submission victory for Chimaev.
Speaking on his FunkMasterMMA podcast, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling opened up on how he believed Holland got the short end of the stick, stating:
"In the midst of that whole chaos, I thought that Leech got the short end of the stick, but then watching the fight live I go 'huh, I think the person who got the shortest end of the stick in that whole trade, in terms of a potential chance to win, just odds of winning - Kevin Holland'. Preparation, complete style difference, and not just a style difference, a specialist in that style. He got the shortest end of the stick."
Sterling touched on this later in the video as well, adding:
"Again, I think Holland got the shortest end of the stick. Hopefully, financially he was taken care of, I hope because he did a big part in stepping up and although he wasn't happy with the performance, I think anybody else who stepped into that position probably would have ended up the same exact way."
Watch Aljamain Sterling's full comments on Khamzat Chimaev and Kevin Holland below:
Khamzat Chimaev 'no-glove touch' controversy
Khamzat Chimaev's week was filled with controversy including a physical altercation, backstage brawl, and missing weight.
Chimaev was unable to avoid controversy in the octagon as well. His fight with Kevin Holland began with a 'fake glove touch' that resulted in a takedown for Chimaev.
Real gangsters don’t fake glove touch, pussy. https://t.co/B29d0rv3Xq
Many were quick to call 'Borz' out for this, alleging that he was cheating. Although the move may not have been the best show of sportsmanship, it is hard to consider it cheating.
Before every fight, the referee makes it clear to the combatants that they have to protect themselves at all times. So, once the referee has given the go-ahead, it becomes the fighters' responsibility to be wary of whatever sneaky tactics their opponent may throw at them.