Kevin Holland 'really didn't like' Michael Chiesa at first, but things changed before UFC 291

SALT LAKE CITY – Kevin Holland says his UFC 291 assignment is one he asked for specifically.

While his professional opinion on opponent Michael Chiesa (18-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) has maintained during the course of training camp, Holland (24-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) admits his personal opinion has changed.

“I really didn’t like the guy at first, but then he took the fight,” Holland told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a news conference Wednesday. “When he took the fight, I was like, ‘OK, it’s not that I don’t like you. It’s just that I want to fight you.’ Now I’m happy he took the fight. I’m very happy we’re going to get to fight. So when I see him, it’s nothing but love and respect.

“This week, it’s, ‘F*ck you, f*ck me, f*ck you, it’s f*ck everybody.’ But it’s nothing but love for the guy. I think he does a good job with his commentating and working behind the scenes. But he’s been away from the game for a while, and he’s coming back to a very active and attractive fighter. It’s going to be a good one.”

Chiesa has been on Holland’s radar since at least late March. When Li Jingliang withdrew from a UFC 287 bout vs. Chiesa, Holland offered his services to step in – something he frequently does for the majority of high-profile withdrawals.

Holland said the interest in the bout has always been rooted in the stylistic matchup Chiesa brings. Over the years, Holland’s ground game has been scrutinized and he wants to show the world he can hang with some of the ground-savvy fighters in the division.

“I think Chiesa is really good fight,” Holland said. “That’s why I asked for it, because it’s like I get to work on my wrestling inside the cage but at a slower pace. I get to do what I was supposed to do against Brunson, but I get to do it against Chiesa. He’s not as strong as Brunson. It’ll be fun. It’ll be good.

“… We’re going to grapple. We’re going to grapple. I mean, am I going to KO him? Absolutely. But to think that he’s not going to grab me before I KO him? That’d be f*cking ridiculous – unless I have one of those Derrick Lewis-Curtis Blaydes moments. Pow, he’s OK. It’ll be pretty cool.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.