Roman Dolidze and Kevin Holland practically had Spherical 2 within the backstage space following their UFC 307 bout.
In a predominant card middleweight contest, Dolidze got here away with a first-round nook stoppage TKO victory after Holland suffered a rib harm throughout a grappling scramble. After the struggle, UFC broadcast companion Sportsnet reported that Dolidze and Holland received into it within the again. Dolidze’s coach Eric Nicksick confirmed the knowledge and supplied further perception.
“So I at all times convey an additional hat or some stuff within the bucket and to present it to a child or any person out within the crowd,” Nicksick advised MMA Preventing. “In order that they went again to medicals, I went out with [Aljamain Sterling], and I used to be giving a hat away to some child that I noticed, after which after I walked again to medicals, I assume Kevin and Roman… like Kevin was chirping at Roman the entire time via the medical tent, after which it simply escalated into Kevin saying some actually not very elegant issues to Roman, after which Roman getting fairly pissed off after which that needed to get separated.
“Feelings are firing at that second, and it sucks, man, as a result of nobody needed to struggle to finish that manner. It wasn’t our alternative both. Kevin made the choice to inform his nook in regards to the rib, made Coach Bob Perez decide about conserving his fighter within the struggle, so we didn’t do something incorrect. So to take it that route, I used to be fairly disillusioned.”
Nicksick and Holland have constructed a pleasant relationship through the years, and considers Holland “a superb pal of mine.” Whereas it’s tough to nook and coach towards a fighter you may have respect for, it’s much more tough when the scenario will get a bit out of hand.
The Xtreme Couture head man did say that Holland reached out after the incident.
“Kevin texted me and apologized,” Nicksick defined. “I advised Kevin, you already know, ‘I want it didn’t go to that extent.’ I do know that feelings are excessive in that second however shit, man, it’s a struggle and I want it didn’t have to show into saying issues that he stated.”
In the mean time, Nicksick and Holland are in a greater spot, however the scenario between the latter and Dolidze might want to take a bit extra time, it seems.
“I wouldn’t say they’re cool, however hopefully cooler heads will prevail on the finish of this, and we will transfer on,” Nicksick stated.